CMR is a coalition of makers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by manufacturing, assembling, and distributing 3D printed PPE (personal protective equipment) in the form of face shields to healthcare workers on the front lines. CMR was founded by members of Columbia University Libraries in partnership with 3D printer manufacturers MakerBot, and a local 3D printing business, Tangible Creative. Within a month, CMR has grown at lightspeed to become the largest grassroots manufacturer of face shields in New York City. The goal of CMR is to build a coalition of makers working to manufacture, assemble, and distribute 3D printed parts to hospitals in the NYC area as fast and efficiently as possible. To date, CMR has distributed over 11,000 shields to over 50 hospitals and clinics and other first responder groups.
In our first 10 days of operation CMR was able to troubleshoot, produce, assemble and distribute over 3000 face shields to health care workers on the front lines, setting up our operation on the fly. We have scaled up dramatically to produce and distribute 1000 PPE face shields a day. The shields are 3D printed at MakerBot (Brooklyn) and Tangible Creative (Newark) and delivered by volunteer drivers to the 92nd Street Y on the Upper East Side. Two other smaller spaces on the Upper West Side are operational for preparing raw materials and assembling shields for smaller orders. Full face shields are distributed to local hospitals every day. CMR continues to work to increase capacity in the coming weeks as the Covid-19 pandemic hits its apex in New York City.
Please see our Columbia affiliated press release and guide here: https://studio.cul.columbia.edu/2020/03/21/studio-librarians-face-shields/ And visit our website at www.covidmakerresponse.com
