Since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased rapidly. In addition to healthcare professionals, first responders and other essential workers are taking additional precautions to minimize the risk of infection. As a result, supply chains are overwhelmed and organizations everywhere are scrambling to ensure their employees are properly protected.

One example is Nexa3D’s recent announcement regarding their plans to produce protective gear for healthcare and other essential workers. Established as a direct response to the urgent requests for PPE pouring in from healthcare facilities as well as other essential front line workers, Nexa3D partnered with key players in the medical industry to develop a face shield that is lightweight and designed to be worn for long periods of time while limiting facial exposure to aerosol and splatter. Recently, Nexa3D joined Henkel’s Open Materials Platform. Soon after, the two companies Announced their initial collaboration with the availability of Nexa3D 3843 xABS Black, which is based on LOCTITE 3D 3843 and optimized to run smoothly on Nexa3D’s machines. The company’s NXE400 printers are powered by it’s proprietary Lubricant Sublayer Photo curing ( LSPc ) technology and patented structured light matrix, allowing them to produce up to 19 liters of part volume at high speed, thereby reducing the time it takes to produce functional prototypes and production parts, often from hours to just minutes.

As new challenges arise, industry collaborations like those offered by Henkel’s Open Materials Platform will be available to help companies quickly react and meet the need. And when a new situation does arise, the experience gleaned from this emergency will prove beneficial in helping others better leverage the benefits of additive manufacturing in the future.