Dynatrace Sales Engineers build 3D printed PPE for frontline professionals

During the current global pandemic of COVID-19, the team at Dynatrace are helping out the community in the best way we can. Two Dynatrace Sales Engineers from our Chicago region, Dave Beran and Josh Wood, have recently collaborated on a 3D printing project to protect their local frontline professionals.

To date, the pair made just over 600 face shield kits/mounts for their Chicagoland suburb hospitals, dental offices, assisted living homes, and correctional facilities.

Dave said, “After hearing that many of my friends and relatives were sewing face masks in their free time, my colleague and friend Josh heard there were also other PPE that hospitals and health clinics are in dire need of and we joined forces.” Together, Dave and Josh purchased their 3D printers in early April and have been collaborating ever since.

When speaking to Josh, he told me that prior to his time at Dynatrace he had constructed research on new materials that could be used for 3D printing.

“Over the years, I have kept in touch with colleagues who are still researching materials that can be used for 3D printing. And when the pandemic hit, I started talking with them about the movement to use off the shelf materials to print PPE,” Josh said. “It was clear that this could fill the gap and protect our front-line professionals. However, those colleagues were not in a position to directly contribute. I still wanted to help out in any way possible, and small 3D printers are surprisingly affordable. As such, we took the plunge and purchased printers for this effort.”

Dave admitted there was a bit of a learning curve to this project, as a budget printer doesn’t have as many advanced features that more expensive printers have. However, after some late-night collaboration sessions and a few printing ‘disasters’, our two Dynatracers can now successfully print one face shield per hour and can a 3D face mask in 7 hours. All their efforts have paid off as they are printing face shields consistently like a small factory.

“The demand for the face shields has not relented. It seems like we may be printing the PPE for the foreseeable future to continue to protect our frontline workers. But we have a system in place now, so the printing can proceed like clockwork,” Josh said.

Thank you, Josh and Dave, for your dedication to making the world a stronger and safer place. Your colleagues around the world applaud you! #DynatraceLife #DynatraceGivesBack

The maker group has built a website to help others nationwide adopt the same print and distribute model.