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Ohio's campuses rising to t Using technology and innovation to meet demand for PPE In response to the COVID-10 pandemic, colleges and universities across Ohio are using technology and design skills to bring much needed supplies to health care workers on the frontlines in their communities. What follows are just a few stories highlighting how higher education institutions are committing resources, connecting with the health care industry, and meeting critical needs in these difficult times.
Lorain County Community College is 3D printing safety visor kits for local hospitals and medical facilities [LINK] Using equipment from the Patsie C. and Dolores Jeneé Campana Center for Ideation and Invention, Lorain County Community (LCCC) college is 3D printing headbands for safety visor kits that include five sheets of off-the-shelf acetate transparency material to create the replaceable shield. The kits are being delivered to the Lorain County Office of Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security, which is distributing them to local medical facilities in the greatest need. LCCC has already donated hundreds of face shields, and as production ramps up, it is now producing up to 120 kits a day — and those involved are doing it all from their homes. “We had just left campus because of the order from Governor DeWine when I got the request to fabricate some personal protective equipment,” said Kelly Zelesnik, dean of the engineering, SPRING 2020
business and information technologies division. “So we turned around and grabbed every tabletop printer we could.” The LCCC team has 12 printers spread across four homes running 24/7, creating mini manufacturing floors wherever they have space. They’re doing everything from sourcing and ordering materials to printing parts to packaging the kits. The LCCC Foundation’s Lifeshare Legacy Fund is providing funding for the supplies and materials. Christopher Leon, LCCC graduate and lab instructional assistant, knew immediately he wanted to be part of the process, doing his part to prevent the spread. “We all need to pitch in to help the fight any way we can,” Leon said. “I happen to know 3D printing and we have been fortunate enough to have the college’s leadership helping us in every way they can.”
