Thursday 9 April 2020

Engineers Without Borders Ireland has issued an open call to designers and manufacturers in Ireland to join its Rapid Design Network to manufacture and test the prototypes for use in COVID-19 response in low and middle income countries.

We have been accustomed to the images on our nightly news feed of the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic in high-income countries across the world - health systems are stressed beyond their capacity and, in several countries, this is leading to high mortality rates.

Low-cost solutions

The virus impact on people living in low-income settings or already affected by humanitarian crises could potentially be even more severe. Engineers Without Borders Ireland is working with its international partner, Field Ready, to coordinate a rapid design network to develop low-cost solutions which can be manufactured locally to respond to the pandemic.

Field Ready is an international NGO which works with local communities using 3D printed technology to manufacture supplies in the field so that people have what they need, where and when they need it.

Field Ready has completed stage one of a design process to select a list of 20 potential COVID-19 response designs ready for further testing. These range from face shields to UV sterilisation boxes to vacuum mask.

Field Ready 3D Printed Face Shield

We are launching an open call to designers and manufacturers in Ireland. We need designers and manufacturers across Ireland to join our Rapid Design Network to manufacture and test the prototypes.

We have 20 items that need your feedback. The outputs will feed into a final catalogue of selected designs.

Field Ready will be mass-producing the selected designs, to save lives all over the world including some of the most vulnerable people. By getting this feedback as soon as possible will ensure we meet needs in countries that are really beginning to struggle. 

Please register your interest by emailing info@ewb-ireland.org