- Title: Ford teams up with 3M, GE, UAW to make respirators, ventilators, face shields
- Date: 24th March 2020
- Summary: DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES (MARCH 24, 2020) (REUTERS VIA SKYPE) (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORD MOTOR ENTERPRISE PRODUCT LINE MANAGEMENT VICE PRESIDENT, JIM BAUMBICK, SAYING: "And the premise was, how can we take components that we have access to in the automotive side and mash that up with what 3M has available to create a simplified PAPR, or Power Air Purifying Respirator, leveraging off-the-shelf components? So, the basics of that system is pulling in fresh air, filtering it through a HEPA filter and circulating that air to a hood to protect these individuals. And, so, we've started prototyping with those components like using heated and cooling seat fans out of, say, an F-150, as a blower mechanism through a 3M filter, looking at a rechargeable power tool battery as the power source to give it enough of a duration of operation for the health care worker."
- Embargoed: 7th April 2020 18:20
- Keywords: 3M COVID-19 Ford Motor GE Healthcare coronavirus medical equipment for healthcare workers plastic face shields
- Location: DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES
- City: DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA004C6EXDFR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ford is working with 3M and GE Healthcare to make medical equipment for healthcare workers, such as redesigned 3M Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), and simplified version of GE Healthcare's ventilators for patients, Ford said on Tuesday (March 24).
The company also said it's working with the United Auto Workers to ramp up production of plastic face shields using 3D printing.
Ford will assemble more than 100,000 of them per week to help medical professionals, factory workers, and store clerks.
Ford is also 3D printing disposable respirators for healthcare workers.
(Production: Aleksandra Michalska) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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