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Alumnus’ passion for engineering provides much needed PPE for NHS

St Hugh’s alumnus, Adam Gibbons (Engineering Science, 2013) has used his passion for engineering to produce face shields for the NHS using 3D printing technology.

Adam’s passion grew into a hobby while he was still at school studying for his A-Levels, when a coding group he set up for fellow students was sponsored by a local engineering company who gave them a hexapod and bipedal robot. Adam’s school then purchased an Ultimaker, the fastest and most accurate 3D printer on the market at the time, and after numerous hours spent assembling and tuning after school, Adam’s new hobby began.

Adam’s hobby was rekindled after he graduated from St Hugh’s College, when his girlfriend, who is a doctor, made him aware of the lack of PPE for medical staff. Adam decided to use his own 3D printer to create a high spec face shield, and after many hours of research and fine tuning, as well as support from his employer, Adam produces 10 visors a day, and has already sent 50 visors to Epsom General Hospital.

Adam said, “The greatest challenge has been packing the visors and maintaining supplies. The visors are disposable, so there is endless demand for them, and with the whole 3D printing community behind this drive, finding filament of adequate quality at a fair price is a challenge, but none the less I will keep printing until someone tells me to stop!”.

Adam is keen to encourage people with time on their hands during lock down to take their passion and help others during this pandemic. Whether you love to drive or cycle, read books or bake, volunteers can offer their services at: https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS