Wigan dad uses 3D printers to make 1,000 face visors for frontline workers

Shaun Campbell, 34, has three 3D printers which he usually uses for hobbies, such as making models and replacement parts.

But since the lockdown was imposed and he has not been able work, he has been using them to produce face visors and ear savers to protect people working on the frontline.

Shaun, who lives in Garswood, said: “With the lockdown, I thought I would do my bit to help out. I started off funding it from my own pocket. I have three 3D printers that I use for a hobby, so I thought I would put them to use.”

He prints the part of the visor which goes around the wearer’s head, then cuts plastic sheets for the visors, punches holes in them and sends them to where they are needed.

He has already made more than 1,000 face visors, with the machines printing constantly throughout the day.

The father of two said: “I have got them printing from first thing in the morning to around midnight. In just under an hour I get one on one machine and two on the other two. I have not been cutting them, I have just been printing them off and packing them up.”

Shaun supplied 500 visors to Wigan Council for frontline workers such as carers.

Others have gone to a range of organisations, including funeral directors, and have been sent around the UK.

Shaun provides the visors and ear savers free of charge and initially bought the materials himself, though has since been supported through donations to an online appeal.

He has received a lot of support, with donations passing £1,000 and a boost from three youngsters - sisters Jovie and Pippa Makinson and neighbour Hayley Connelly - who raised £350 by selling handmade items and running a tombola on a stall outside their homes in Platt Bridge.

But it has become difficult to source the material needed at times because there is now so much demand for it.

Shaun said: “I can get the materials because of the donations, but it is finding places that have the stuff in stock. A lot of it is back ordered. I have around 12kg coming this week hopefully, but that will only last a couple of weeks.”

As long as Shaun can keep securing the material, he will keep his printer running to make more protective equipment.

“I am going to do this until it’s not needed anymore,” he said. “I am going to carry on. The printer will keep running until it’s safe for everything to go back to normal.”

Donations to help cover the cost of making the visors can be made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/vital-ppe-equipment-for-frontline-workers.

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