At AMRoC Fab Lab, in Tampa, FL, we worked with a community partner to create a distributed community factory of over 30 volunteers, and facilitated the spinoff of similar distributed volunteer networks in three other communities, supporting a PPE production effort that ultimately distributed, absolutely free to the health care community, over 40,000 3D printed protective face shields.

WHY : Decentralized volunteer production of PPE can be inefficient in distribution and inconsistent in quality, resulting in wasted time and effort that may not get needed product to their intended destinations.

WHO: This project was developed by AMRoC Fab Lab, in Tampa FL, in collaboration with MRG3D labs.

WHAT : While there were several volunteer efforts organized in Tampa Bay and Central FL, as there were - and are - across the nation and world, many of these efforts have been informal, decentralized networks resulting in well-meaning but sometimes under-utilized production of PPE, with volunteers often trying to find places to donate the varied proceeds of non-quality controlled 3D prints, masks and other items. By working with a community partner already networked with local hospital administrators, and developing a set of standards for all off-site volunteers to follow, our MRG3D Volunteer Brigade was able to deliver a consistent product to fill specific requests from local hospitals and health care administrators, with no unused surplus.  

HOW :

We had two main channels of communication: A Facebook group that MRG 3D organized and on which we ran three different subgroups, and for our Tampa Bay MRG3D Volunteer Brigade hub, a weekly email update. Interested volunteers typically found their way to the Facebook group by word of mouth initially, and later by mainstream media recognition. Once a volunteer identified themselves under the appropriate subgroup, they would be contacted for needed info (name, phone number, 3D printing capability, etc) and then be sent an overview of the project, with production guidelines and print files.

Completed prints were dropped off at the back door of our Fab Lab twice a week, during prearranged collection hours. Volunteers didn't even need to come in . They just rang the bell, we exchanged safe socially distanced and masked greetings and they dropped off their contributions in a box, which we then took to MRG 3D for assembly and distribution. The weekly updates ultimately came to feature shout outs to the volunteers with weekly contribution tallies and other news.

Some notes:

*The best type of 3D printed shield is the type that hospitals can use and disinfect most easily, and that they're happy with. In our case we used two open source files, the “official” one a tension fit shield, the other the Prusa US shield, which fit better on some volunteers’ home or business printers.  

*Standardized production guidelines were provided to each volunteer when they signed up.

*We resisted the urge to switch to different prints as new ones became available or volunteers suggested other styles. It's much faster, more efficient and more useful, not to mention easier on all volunteers, to set up tooling and assembly for one or two types of files and deliver a consistent, standardized product each time.

*Weekly emails are vital, functioning to cheer on volunteers, provide regular tallies and news, and to encourage interaction and additional volunteer recruitment. Volunteers need – and deserve! - regular communications, clear instructions and generous gratitude to feel inspired to continue participating .

*Staying in regular periodic communication with volunteers (monthly, quarterly) , after a project closes or slows to the point where their contributions aren’t needed as before, makes it easier to reactivate them when needed.

This organized model of the distributed community factory can be applied to a variety of community needs in addition to the current situation with COVID-19, including other emergency needs related to hurricanes or other natural disasters, and assisting with other community needs.

Files:

*Sample call for volunteers

*Sample instructional guide

*Sample weekly update