Universiti Malaysia Kelantan has embarked on a project to produce 3D shield visors and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontliners in an effort to do its part in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Working together with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maik), UMK aimed to prepare 300 sets of PPE and 500 sets of shield visors for doctors, nurses and hospital staff as well as healthcare workers and security personnel on the frontline of the combat against Covid-19.
According to project leader Dr Hanisa Hassan, the materials for the project were donated by Maik through funds channelled to PBSM.
Hanisa, who is the dean of the Technology and Heritage faculty (FTH), said UMK used its homegrown knowledge, expertise and technology tools to drive the project. Manpower issues were meanwhile addressed when 15 faculty staff volunteered their time and energy to be part of the effort.
“Although we cannot contribute medically, we can contribute our expertise through sewing and the creation of the products," she said.
“Machines utilised for the faculty’s textile specialisation programmes were used to make the PPEs. As for the shield visors, our designer Muhammad Najibul Muthiie Che Ya'acob came up with the product design which differed slightly from the existing product in the market,” she said.
"We have two types of 3D shield visors using two different machines where we designed the concept and the UMK Office of Library and Management (OLM) produced them using 3D printing,” said Muhammad Najibul Muthiie.
“The process of using 3D printers takes a little longer. With 3D printers, one set takes 45 minutes compared to the CNC Machine which makes the process faster and in mass quantity.
"For now, we will continue to use these two methods, 3D printers and CNC Machine to complete this project in the near future," he shared.
He added that the advantage of the 3D shield visor was that it can be cleaned and reused unlike the disposable products in the market.
Other than FTH and OLM, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's Office (Research and Innovation) was also involved in the project.