FabLab Cuenca was involved since the beginning on the response of the Spanish maker community against the COVID-19 pandemic.  Been part of the group “coronavirusmakers” as one of the main coordinators in Castilla la Mancha region, we were the main activators of Cuenca´s province.

Producing and dispatching supplies almost instantly to meet the ongoing needs of PPE for medical staff, essential workers and the general public. This collective collaboration allowed for rapid and efficient prototyping and accelerated the development of ideas for alternative means of production.

FabLab Cuenca team lead the coordination of one of the few scenarios in Spain where the lab was the link to join the effort of the maker community, public institutions, factories and private companies to protect the life of our citizens.

We worked restless to coordinate:

-Set up the local maker group makers Cuenca and link with Castilla la mancha.

-Set up and manage the national design groups for laser cut Items.

-Coordination with hospital to develop design and produce adaptations for respiration mask.

-Manage the public institutions council and “diputación” (They provided material + vehicle + drivers to deliver rural areas + sterilization production)

-logistic point to fabricate / deliver / administrate materials and deliver them to every point of the region.

-Set up production for a local extrusion factory to build 40.000 face shields to use for free by hospitals and citizens of Castilla la Mancha.

-we coordinate during 3 moths all actions involving the hospital, residences, public institutions, factories, companies, associations and public workers.

( Find out more in our interview: Dale Dougherty, founder of the MAKE magazine in EEUU- Plan C: Our Panel To Learn About The Maker Response To Covid-19 In Spain)

It has been a really meaningful change for the society.

We have been able to verify the strong connection and empathy between FabLab Cuenca and the community. 

Willing to help during the fight against the virus, the “Ministerio de Educación y Cultura” contacted us and following our instructions they called for all teachers with 3D printing skills to join the action and produce PPE.

Why did you create this initiative? What was the inspiration behind it?

Just willing to help during the fight against the virus. We contribute with our knowledge, skills, global connection and the work done together with the community. We really think our position was really needed for a fluid coordination and created an agile and essential response to the shortages and helped save lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1hKqvl3pBc

Link to website documentation and designs:

https://www.makerscuenca.es/index_en.html