Editorial
New opportunity
The coronavirus pandemic has made people and companies inventive. In March, for example, a school in central Hesse used its 3D printers to produce special hooks to open doors almost contactlessly. Private individuals quickly made their devices available to support the school project.
The students from Hesse are just one example of numerous projects, private individuals and companies that have used additive manufacturing to quickly provide products and components for hygiene needs and medical devices.
Stratasys, for example, has mobilized its partner network to provide 3D printing resources and expertise. Companies have responded to the call and donated their printing capacities in all regions. Among other things, disposable face shield visors for medical personnel were produced.
And Siemens has made its 3D printing platform Additive Manufacturing Network (AM Network) available for processing design and print requests from doctors, hospitals and medical technology manufacturers. At the same time, the Group has connected its production facilities to print components as required and suitable.
In times when the coronavirus pandemic has caused supply chains to break down, additive manufacturing technology has provided flexibility and agility in the supply of urgently needed components in medical technology. A promising example of the potential of additive manufacturing to disrupt and redesign production processes and supply chains.
Yours, Andrea Gillhuber
Editor-in-Chief
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