KUANTAN: High demand of face shields by frontliners battling the Covid-19 infection has prompted three Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) lecturers to produce their very own 3D-printed face shields.
The trio, Dr. Zamzuri Hamedon, Dr. Ismayuzri Ishak and Khairul Fikri Muhammad are lecturers at UMP's Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering Technology (FTKPM) Faculty.
They said the user-friendly Reusable DIY Face Shield (RDF) is cost effective and reusable for at least three or four times depending on the usage.
The units must be sanitised before and after each use.
Zamzuri said to ensure the face shields meet the required specifications, the team consulted Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) director Dr Norazmi Abdullah and head of Emergency Department Dr Badli Sham Baharun before embarking on the project.
"The 3D technology face shield are made from headbands, rubber bands and A4 transparent plastic. Due to the ongoing nationwide movement control order, delivery is only done through post.
"We managed to complete 30 sets in two days and distributed to the frontliners at HTAA. We have received more orders and are in the midst of completing them," he said when contacted.
Zamzuri said in the early stages, his team managed to complete between 50 and 60 sets every day and now have increased production to between 150 and 200 sets.
He said each packet contains five RDF sets along with a user manual.
"What is important is to sanitise the sets properly before and after using them. The RDF units are much lighter, smaller in size and adopts the open-top face-shield design.
"The plastic used to cover the face can be easily be replaced with the ones sold in shops," he said, thanking UMP vice-chancellor Professor Dr Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff and FTKPM dean Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Faiz Mohd. Turan for their support.
Zamzuri said besides HTAA, the face shields were also delivered to medical staff at universities, health clinics and hospitals throughout the country including Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh, Peramu Jaya Community college in Pekan, Kuala Kubu Baru hospital, Seri Manjung hospital in Perak and KPJ Shah Alam Specialist Hospital in Selangor.