The Response of the Hellenic 3D-Printing Community over the COVID-19 Pandemics: The Success Story of the Hellenic Mediterranean University |Biomedgrid

By the February of 2020, humanity has to come across with a global health emergency. The corona virus, formally defined as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been declared a pandemic from the World Health Organization (WHO). No one could imagine how the disease's spread could affect the people's life over the following months. The uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19 caused a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-Medical Devices in hospitals worldwide. Industry sector and supply chain was not able to cover all needs in PPE. In this situation, hospitals' personnel have been working in the front line without any protection. There is where the “3D COVID” project comes. Many companies, hobbyists and academic entities started using their 3D Printers to produce PPE and/or Medical Devices (such as respiratory valves). A short reference to the Greek endeavours of 3D Printed PPE is presented. The authors experience in using Additive Manufacturing (AM) for PPE construction as a means to tackle the shortage of the supply chain due to the pandemic, as well as the impact of AM technology in people's life is finally analysed.