Coronavirus Update: 26 March

2 mins read

Your daily roundup of coronavirus news in the manufacturing industry.

1545: 3D Hubs launches Covid-19 fund

Global online manufacturing platform, 3D Hubs, has launched the COVID-19 Manufacturing Fund, connecting these projects with both the funds and means of production they need to rapidly produce vital equipment such as protective masks and ventilator parts. Thanks to its global network of manufacturing partners, 3D Hubs is in a unique position to offer such projects access to a virtually unlimited manufacturing capacity that is able to sustain the rapid production of parts. Providing access to various manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, injection molding and CNC machining, this capacity and speed is vital to producing parts in these times of crisis.

In just 12 hours since launching, the fund as raised $18,000 (just under £15,000), and has partnered with industry names and academia in the US.

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1200: Innovation specialist comments on Dyson's ventilator contract

Commenting on the news that Dyson has been awarded a contract to produce 15,000 ventilators for the NHS, Mark Smith, Partner – Innovation Incentives at Ayming UK, says: "The speed at which Dyson has been able to develop this ventilator is impressive. Dyson has always been an R&D intensive company, meaning it already had the resources for a speedy design and roll out process. Although these are exceptional circumstances, it really goes to show how having a streamlined R&D operation can deliver tangible results, and ahead of competitors. We’ll continue to see innovative new products and services generated by the changing demands of the current landscape. In the case of ventilators, you can be sure that they will be better and cheaper to produce by the end of this."

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1115: A-SAFE launches coronavirus helpline

Safety barrier innovator and manufacturer A-SAFE has launched a new safety helpline to support UK manufacturers during the disruption caused by Coronavirus. The helpline is available during normal office hours and can be reached on 01422 761350.

The helpline team can offer remote advice for installing and adapting workplace safety solutions to reflect these new circumstances. The team is also dedicated to supporting the many UK manufacturers who have switched their production to meet the urgent national need for hygiene products and medical equipment. At A-SAFE our experience has shown there are always ways to improve workplace safety, either by altering the layout of a facility or by segregating people and vehicles. The new helpline will make this knowledge and experience quickly available to the companies that need it most.

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1100: SMEs urged to have their say on coronavirus impact

Small to medium-sized manufacturers in England are being urged to take part in a major survey detailing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on industry.

The Manufacturing Barometer, which is conducted by South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS) and the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), went live today and is inviting companies to highlight the issues they are facing and the support they need to overcome them.

Have your say at https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/00hdIL.

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0945: Andea launches free version of Manufacturo app

Andea, the developer of the cloud-based Manufacturo platform, is offering a FREE app to help manufacturing companies better cope with the coronavirus pandemic challenges. The app allows for rapid risk assessment of employee infection risks and can be deployed quickly to all factory workers.

The Manufacturo COVID-19 app was thoughtfully designed to quickly and effectively assess the quarantine needs of employees. The app gathers all the essential information: current symptoms, recent travels, general health, and potentially related disorders, to evaluate employee infection risks. The aim is to help management decide whether workers should be quarantined or not. Thus, giving managers more valuable time to adjust production schedules ahead of time - deciding whether to shut down a plant or to adapt manufacturing with the available workforce, ensuring a safe workplace.

to download the app, register at www.manufacturo.com/covid19-app.