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WKCTC Helps Create Component for Face Shields

WKCTC Helps Create Component for Face Shields
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Apr. 03, 2020 | PADUCAH
By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 03, 2020 | 09:20 AM | PADUCAH
West Kentucky Community and Technical College, partnering with the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, Paducah, is using 3D printing technology to create a head piece component for medical face shields in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Each of the 16 colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) with the ability to use 3D printers is stepping up to make the face shield component for medical facilities throughout the state. All KCTCS colleges' Workforce Solutions departments are also partnering with their local University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension office that is responsible for assembling and distributing the face shields to health care providers. Hospitals were surveyed in each of KCTCS colleges' service regions to learn how many shields are needed.

"WKCTC is proud to partner with the UK College of Engineering, Paducah to help our medical providers continue to safely provide vital care throughout our community," said Kevin O'Neill, vice president of regional workforce training and economic development, who has been coordinating with local hospitals on the project.

"We're fortunate to have several faculty members and students with significant experience in additive manufacturing with 3D printers who have been not just willing, but excited to have this chance to have an impact on healthcare in this community," said Dr. David Silverstein, director of UK Paducah Engineering Extended Campus.

Silverstein said UK's engineering students in Paducah are from the region and most want to stay and work in their communities. "They are highly motivated to contribute time and effort alongside their online classes while meeting the challenges of practicing social distancing."

UK is using printers from its First Year Engineering courses and from one of its research groups focusing on automotive nanocomposite materials, and they have refined the open-source design to print more quickly and to use less of the plastic material for the head pieces. WKCTC is using 3D printers from its applied technologies program and printers loaned from area schools to make the head piece component.

"This project is a wonderful opportunity to support our community as well as the hospitals in our service region who are continued advocates of our allied health and nursing programs," said O'Neill.

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