Sheffield Forgemasters switches focus to help produce NHS staff with visors

In response to a request from 3D print solutions provider, Solid Print3D, Forgemasters’ Research, Design and Technology (RD&T) department has started to produce 3D printed components.

It expects to dispatch more than 100 of the components in the next week.

The initiative coincides with Dan Jarvis, the mayor of the Sheffield City Region, issuing call to arms for South Yorkshire businesses to join the national effort and help make life-saving medical equipment during the pandemic.

RD&T usually uses its 3D printing output to produce models and prototypes for ultra-large, complex steel components but is now focused on visors.

David Bond, chief executive officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We don’t have large scale facilities for 3D printing, but it is important for us to do what we can at this desperate time for our NHS workers and each visor that is constructed could potentially save a person’s life.

“We normally use our 3D print output to establish what we can achieve in large-scale engineering terms and so it is very much utilised on a bespoke basis rather than for production runs, but we are up for the challenge and really want to help out.”

He added: “We welcome the call to arms by the Sheffield City Region Mayor for South Yorkshire businesses to join the NHS supply drive at this difficult time and hope that more companies will come forward to offer whatever help they can.”