Paragon’s 3D printing technology is rushed in to help NHS front line workers

 

Paragon Rapid Technologies, the GTMA product development and low volume manufacturing services provider, has been 3D printing PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for NHS front line staff in north east hospitals.

It has been working with its supply partners, 3D printing technology developers RPS and US-based digital manufacturing entrepreneurs, Carbon.

GTMA supplier Paragon Rapid Technologies has one of the largest 3D printing capabilities in the north east of England, offering a range of technologies including stereolithography, selective laser sintering, and the revolutionary Digital Light Synthesis™ technology from Carbon®.

As soon as the UK Government called manufacturers across the UK to assist with pro- duction of vital PPE and medical apparatus components, Paragon set about acquiring CAD files for parts and ensuring suitable materials were available for their production.

Carbon, a world leader in 3D printing innovation, had created a CAD file for a simple Photo from Paragon Rapid Technologies – moved its production focus to help the NHS.

yet very effective face shield to be created using its Digital Light Synthesis printers and was encouraging its print partners across the world to go into production. Most resins created for Carbon’s printers are biocompatible and sterilisable, and specifically designed for end use.

Paragon has three Carbon M2 printers. Although these are some of the fastest 3D printers in the world, the print platform on this particular model is quite small and as such would not be able to produce head- bands in enough quantities to meet demand.

Carbon generously agreed that their design could be used on other printers, and

Paragon set two of its three large bed NEO800 printers to work using DSM Somos® resin. To meet the rising demand, Paragon called up RPS, creators of this industry leading stereolithography printer, and asked if they could assist in the production of the headband.

David Storey, Managing Director of RPS, responded immediately in the affirmative, and comments, “I am honoured that Paragon contacted us to help manufacture face shields for the NHS, and that they are utilising our technology, the NEO800 3D Printers.”

Paragon’s Managing Director, Neil Cook, said: “We’re extremely grateful to our suppliers for responding so quickly. Without RPS contributing to the print load we could not possibly achieve this. Our hearts go out to all those affected. To all others, please stay safe.”

To date, Paragon is fulfilling orders to print and assemble 5000 face shields for hospitals in the North East, including those in the South Tyneside and Sunderland Trust and the James Cook University Hospital.

www.paragon-rt.com