MULTINATIONAL AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS OF 3D DESIGN AND PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it has been observed that some equipment, such as the protective face shields used by healthcare professionals and those working in unsafe conditions, are not sufficient and difficult to obtain in many countries. 3D printing technology had a crucial role in providing solutions to many medical problems worldwide during this period. This technology has mainly helped overcome the lack of those medical and personal protective equipment. Trainees who participated before in the ‘3D Modeling and Printer Usage Trainings’ by TİKA in 12 countries, started the process of producing shields using the 3D printer, supplies and equipment provided by the TİKA Presidency in their countries. In this framework, and in order to meet the needs of these 12 countries within the shortest time, a functional face shield with less printing time was prepared for printing using slicing software, and a G.Code files were sent to the relevant countries. In addition, printers, spare parts and consumables were sent to 9 countries. In 12 countries including Uganda, Libya, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a total of 7 thousand face protection visors were produced in a period of 2 months. The design features, printing time and tools required for assembly were evaluated. The proposed designs were produced using 3D printing technology, and this was practically decisive in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. These face shields were delivered to the related countries' hospitals and similar institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Health to be given to healthcare workers who struggle with COVID-19, and contributed to their fight against the virus. As a result of that, a lot of attention was paid and the institutions and individuals who produced the equipment were thanked by the official authorities of the relevant countries and reported by the local media.

Keywords

• 3D Printing
• COVID-19
• Face Shield
• TIKA
• Design and Fabrication

COVID-19 PANDEMİ SÜRECİNDE 3D TASARIM VE BASKI TEKNOLOJİLERİ İLE ACİL VE YENİLİKÇİ ÇÖZÜMLERİN ÇOKULUSLU UYGULAMALARI

Abstract

Covid-19 salgını nedeniyle gerek sağlık personeli gerekse diğer kritik görevlerde çalışanların kullandığı koruyucu yüz siperliği gibi bazı ekipmanın bir çok ülkede yeterli olmadığı ve temininde de güçlükler yaşandığı gözlemlenmiştir. 3B baskı teknolojisi bu dönemde dünya çapında birçok tıbbi soruna çözüm sunan kritik bir role sahip olmuştur. Bu teknoloji temel olarak tıbbi malzeme ve kişisel koruyucu ekipman eksikliğinin üstesinden gelmeye yardımcı olmuştur. TİKA tarafından daha önce 12 ülkede 3B Modelleme ve Yazıcı Kullanımı Eğitimlerine katılan kursiyerlerin, ülkelerinde TİKA Başkanlığınınca temin edilen 3B yazıcı, sarf malzeme ve ekipmandan yararlanarak siperlik üretmeleri süreci başlanmıştır. Bu çerçevede bu 12 ülkelerdeki ihtiyacı en kısa sürede karşılamak için baskı süresi kısa ve işlevsel bir yüz siperi tasarlanarak dilimleme yazılımlarında da baskıya hazır hale getirilerek ilgili ülkere G.Code dosyaları gönderildi. Ayrıca bazı ülkelere yazıcı ve yedek parçaları, 9 ülkeye de sarf malzemeleri gönderilmiştir. Uganda, Libya, Kırgızistan, Bosna Hersek ve Kolombiya’nın da aralarında bulunduğu 12 ülkede 2 aylık gibi bir sürede toplamda 7 bin adet yüz koruma siperlikleri üretilmiştir. Tasarım özellikleri, baskı süresi ve montaj için gerekli aletler değerlendirilerek belirlenmiştir. Ortaya çıkan tasarımlar 3B baskı teknolojisi kullanılarak üretildi ve bu yöntemin rolü, dünyanın farklı ülkelerindeki Covid-19 pandemisini önleme yönetiminde pratik olarak belirleyiciydi. Üretilen bu siperlikler ilgili ülkelerin başta Covid-19 ile mücadele eden sağlık çalışanlarına verilmek üzere sağlık bakanlığına bağlı hastahane ve benzeri kurumlara teslim edililerek virüsle mücadelelerine katkı sağlanmıştır. Yapılan çalışmalar neticesinde siperliklere çok ilgi gösterilmiş ve üretimi yapan kurum ve şahıslara ilgili ülkelerin resmi makamlarınca teşekkür edilmiş ve yerel medya organlarınca haberleştirilmiştir.

Keywords

• 3B Baskı
• ; COVID-19
• Yüz Siperi
• TİKA
• Tasarım ve İmalat

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