Ricoh 3D has today pledged to support the battle against Covid-19 by offering to assist in the production of vital Covid-19 ventilators.
We have contacted Make UK and the Government to confirm we are willing and able to support an increase in mass ventilator manufacturing.
Here at Ricoh 3D we are confident we can help by using additive manufacturing to produce vital components for ventilators both quickly and cost-effectively.
This comes after a call from Health Secretary Matt Hancock for UK manufacturers to urgently work together to increase the number of the machines available to the NHS.
Mr Hancock said the UK currently has 5,000 ventilators but needs many more times that number. He urged UK manufacturers to get involved in any way they could.
Mark Dickin, Additive Manufacturing & Moulding Engineering Lead at Ricoh 3D, said: “New ventillators are urgently required as the coronavirus crisis intensifies.
“Additive manufacturing will have a vital role to play in this as the technology is capable of producing bespoke parts quickly and cheaply.
“We have registered our willingness to help in any way. Our team of experts are on standby to design and produce any required parts at a moment’s notice.
“These are unprecendented times and businesses, as well as individuals, need to do everything possible to save lives.”
In Italy, a 3D printing company was able to supply a hospital with 100 respirator valves within 24 hours to connect patients to breathing machines.
The valves usually cost around £9,000 to produce but were made using 3D printing for less than £1 each.
Ricoh 3D has already been involved in medical projects that have made living conditions better for thousands of people.
These include development of a lever-hinge mechanism for ankle-foot orthotics and involvement in revolutionary new technology which sees limbs scanned and precisely replicated using 3D printing prior to operation.
Surgical instruments can also be produced using AM and are typically used for intricate operations.