The Monterey County Library system’s two 3D printers are
being used to produce protective N95 masks while all of the system’s branches
are closed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the county said Thursday.
The two printers are producing the hard plastic masks around
the clock to support first responders and medical professionals who are dealing
with the pandemic’s ongoing surge in cases. Each mask takes just over three hours
to make and is designed to be worn multiple times by the same person.
“We know there is a need for these, so my team tested
the masks to pick the best pattern and materials and worked out the bugs before
starting the printing work,” county Library Director Hillary Theyer said.
“These printers were located in Soledad and Greenfield Branches and have
been moved to the county surplus warehouse where the printing is taking
place.”
Before being repurposed, the printers were generally used to
produce supplies for the library system’s maker program. Library officials also
plan to use them to make doorknob covers that will help prevent the spread of
germs and no-sew masks that can hold medically safe air filters.
Source: NBC Bay Area