The Los Angeles Post

A Partnership with Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Results in Optimum Design of PPE’s for Healthcare Workers

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(Downey, Calif.) April 17, 2020 – The rush is on to provide protective gear to essential workers as COVID-19 cases rise. Students at ArtCenter College of Design are working around the clock to 3D print and assemble face shields for hospitals in L.A. County and around the world.

After a two-week Designstorm conducted in partnership with Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center and funded by a grant from VentureWell, ArtCenter, students began production to create the ideal face shield for medical professionals.

Informed by the results of the Designstorm, students took the initiative to launch a website as a resource for anyone who wants to get involved. Businesses or households with a 3D printer and the right materials are encouraged to join the project. The goal is to expand the operation and generate more donations of materials in order to provide as many face shields as possible.

The site, shieldmakers.org provides outsourced designs and instructions. Visitors select a design and fabrication method depending on what type of 3D printing equipment they have on hand.

Many local corporations have supplied funds, materials and volunteers to help boost production. Anyone willing to help is encouraged to visit the site to find out what is needed and how to become involved.


Shield Maker Facts:

The students, known as Shieldmakers, have printed, assembled and supplied approximately 900 shields so far in Los Angeles County. Facilitated by one student’s global network, a manufacturer in Jakarta has used the open source designs to make more than 2,000 protective face shields for area hospitals:

  1. Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
  2. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
  3. LAC+USC Medical Center
  4. Adventist Health, Glendale, Calif.
  5. Kaiser Permanente
  6. Huntington Hospital, Pasadena, Calif.
  7. Siloam Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
  8. Other temporary Covid-19 hospitals, Jakarta, Indonesia

The Numbers:

  • 900 face shields created
  • Shield Makers is on track to produce 5,000 within the next few weeks
  • Anticipated output of 300 to 400 produced each day, once running at full capacity
  • 30 ArtCenter College of Design students are dedicated to the Shield Makers project
  • Additional students at Caltech and California State University Dominguez Hills have assisted with the effort
  • 25 donated 3D printers are set up in a warehouse at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center producing 200+ parts per day
  • Silicone casting process set up at Rancho producing 150+ parts per day
  • 4 local partners Monoprice, LA County Library, Supplyframe, and Smithgroup
  • 3 to 16 hours a day, per student, dedicated to working on the project
  • Shield Makers: shieldmakers.org