BAE Systems helping protect NHS frontline staff
Above:
3D printed face shield being worn.
Courtesy BAE Systems
As well as supporting the national ventilator effort, employees across its business have rallied to donate vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the NHS to help protect medical staff around the UK in the fight against Coronavirus.
Employees in BAE Systems' Air sector, who normally produce parts for combat aircraft - including Eurofighter Typhoons - and its Submarines business, are making 3D printing parts for newly designed face shields.
Meanwhile, BAE Systems are sourcing tens of thousands of additional face shields through its supply chain to distribute to the NHS on BAE Systems' behalf, which means we will deliver more than 120,000 face shields to the NHS this month.
Above:
3D printed face shield parts
Courtesy BAE Systems
Dave Short, Technology Director, explained: “We’ve all been moved by the personal bravery of those working in the NHS who face the virus close up every day, so we wanted to help in any way we could. Our employees heard about the need for face shields, so we looked for the quickest way to get effective products to users.
“At the same time as talking to suppliers, colleagues from our Technology team and our Air sector joined forces to design and manufacture our first 3D printed face shield in less than 24 hours. We kept in constant dialogue with our NHS contacts to ensure this met their requirements and had the first shields with them in less than two days.
“We’ve already delivered the first batch of 3D printed face shields, but to really make a difference, our supply chain is manufacturing a further 120,000 face shields to their own designs.
“More than 20,000 face shields are already on their way to locations around the country, with the remaining face shields set to be delivered to the NHS this month.”
Subject to Government approval, in line with industry regulations issued on 4th April, BAE Systems plans to scale up production of its 3D printed face shield to deliver around 10,000 single-use visors with a smaller number of re-usable head straps over the coming weeks.
BAE Systems is also continuing to work with its supply chain to source further face shields, which they will donate to the NHS.
A number of other projects are underway as employees across BAE Systems continue to look at ways to help the country at this difficult time.
