Joining the Fight

Dunwoody has a long history of finding ways to help during times of need and during this current pandemic the tradition continues. Students and faculty from a multitude of academic programs have found ways to put their talents and skills to work in an effort to make a difference during this time of need.

Robotics & Manufacturing students and faculty partner with industry to make face shields

The effort began in mid-March, when Dunwoody manufacturing faculty and students answered a call from Eden Prairie-based Stratasys to help produce face shields for workers in the medical field. The company coordinated the effort, which included more than 150 companies, universities, and even high-school robotics teams.

Over the course of the next two months, the Dunwoody crew machined more than 20,000 face shields, which are desperately needed in the fight against COVID-19. “I’m proud of the faculty and students who have stepped up to help produce a piece of safety equipment our medical community so desperately needs,” said President Rich Wagner.

The polycarbonate face shields are being sent to hospitals for healthcare workers to use as part of their personal protection equipment.

“I really think that this project brings out a lot of things that allow us to give our students a more real-world experience, which is really what Dunwoody is all about,“ said Brian Nelsen, Assistant Professor of Machine Tool Technology. “Plus we are getting to do something that really matters during this time.”

To start the project, the team first had to develop a fixture plate that they could mount the sheets to, followed by a piece to hold the plastic in place. The students then used the four CNC mills in the College’s Machine Shop to produce the parts, which each took about three minutes to produce. The support doesn’t stop there. Faculty and students also built injection molds to make the plastic head pieces. This allowed them to produce upwards of 50 per hour.

“I want to be a medical mold maker and make things for the medical industry, and this is just starting it a little early,” said student Ethan Miller, Machine Tool Technology.

Designing laser cut masks

Members of the Dunwoody Architecture program put one of the College’s laser cutters to good use this spring when they designed a non-medical grade face mask that could be quickly produced in mass quantities. Led by Architecture Program Manager John Dwyer, AIA, the masks were then distributed out for free to organizations such as the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to help keep residents in our community safe. Thousands of the masks were distributed to organizations in need and used on Dunwoody's campus for visitors who need one.

Faculty member using 3D printing expertise to help health care workers

Dunwoody alumna and 3D Printing Adjunct Instructor Jazmine Darden, ’17 Engineering Drafting & Design, has found a way to use her skills and her positivity to help others.

For Darden, the project began back in April when she heard about the irritation caused by the masks first responders have to wear for eight to 12 hours a day.

“Once I heard about the pain essential workers and front liners were having due to the elastic from medical masks, I knew I needed to help,” Darden said. She then got to work adjusting a design for the ear savers that she could 3D print and then donate to first responders and other essential workers.

The ear savers, called I AM Ear Hero, allow people to secure mask around their neck, instead of behind the ears.

“After a few iterations of design, I added the ’I AM’ messages on the ear savers to add a little light in this time of darkness,” Darden said.

For the past two years, Darden has been spreading positive affirmations through her “I AM” project, which spreads messages such as “I AM GRATEFUL,” and “I AM BRAVE” on things like hats and keychains. Darden posted a message about the ear savers project on April 7 — and the response was instantaneous and overwhelming.

“I shared a post with pictures of my ‘I AM’ ear savers and the response has been insane,” she said. “I had no idea there was such a need for them. I have been non-stop running 22 3D Printers in my basement in Minneapolis making ‘I AM’ ear savers.”

The response was so overwhelming, in fact, that Darden knew she had to find a quicker way to produce the ear savers. So Darden connected with a manufacturer, Taurus Engineering, that could help her create thousands a day through injection molding. Using injection molding will allow Darden to produce 10,000 ear savers a day, which far outpaces the 300 — 400 she could print in her basement.

To pay for the project, Darden turned to GoFundMe to raise the funds needed for the new mold. And by May 1, Darden was able to raise $10,000, which was being used to not only pay for the mold, but also to produce 20,000 more ear savers, which were then donated all across the country.

Locally, the ear savers have been donated to Children's Hospital, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, North Memorial Hospital, United St. Paul, Maple Grove Hospital, HealthPartners, Fairview, White Bear Lake Fire Department, grocery stores, and even hair salons.

“It brings me to tears to see the generosity of people during these crazy times,” Darden said. “The 3D Printing community, sewers, and crafters have really stepped up to the plate to help out. People have been doing everything they can to donate whatever they can make.”

For more information about the project, visit: www.IAMEarHero.com

SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT: ETHAN MILLER

Ethan Miller understands gratitude. As a past scholarship recipient, he doesn't take the generosity of others lightly. “The gift of a scholarship is not a small thing to me. The support in our education is a testament to the kindness and foresight to better the future.” Your support helps students like Ethan attend Dunwoody, make the most of their education, and use their talents to help others.