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We’re using 3D printing to produce two designs of protective face shields for Queensland healthcare workers.

While usually reserved for research purposes, we were using nearly all our 3D printers to print short runs of shield frames as part of a state-wide collaborative effort in early and mid-2020.

We supplied roughly 500 units within two weeks. This contribution helped ensure that Queensland healthcare workers had sufficient protective equipment available to meet demand while Australian industry adapts to mass manufacturing these kinds of items.

In April 2020, the Herston Biofabrication Institute, which usually makes prosthetics and 3D-printed medical implants, put out a call to anyone with a 3D printer to assist in the production of face shields to assist the Queensland government in securing personal protective equipment supply.

Through an inspiring collaborative effort, our group was part of the delivery of 3,000 face shields in less than a week.

Partners on this endeavour included community members, small businesses and schools, as well as:

  • Arc Hardware Incubator
  • Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
  • the University of Queensland
  • Healthia Group
  • COVID-SOS
  • Konica Minolta
  • Shapelabs.


A video time lapse of a 3D printer creating a face shield frame for Queensland health care workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A video time lapse of a 3D printer creating a face shield frame for Queensland health care workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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