There is no denying that the current reality is no longer just a huge surprise for us, but also a difficult challenge. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has triggered global changes for which the economy was not prepared. Many of the decisions we will now make have an impact on the economic crisis that has occurred and the reorganization of the labor market. Increased unemployment and social inequality, loss of income is one thing, but concern for our health is the other major aspect during the coronavirus.
Visors for doctors "made by students"!
More and more universities and student organizations are joining in actively helping the staff of local hospitals. Thus, its own production of protective visors has been started by the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, which is transporting protective equipment manufactured in the university's model shop to institutions in Bytom, Chorzow, Dabrowa Gornicza, Katowice, Krakow, Sosnowiec and Toszek. It's hard to believe today that the initial plan was to support only three Silesian facilities - the huge demand indicates the need to ensure the safety of medical services throughout the country.
Polycarbonate visor elements
photo: ASP Katowice
The academy has taken on the production of visors made of polycarbonate, a plastic material with high strength and thermal resistance, yet light and flexible. To date, 850 pieces of the specialized equipment have already been supplied free of charge, but applications from new establishments are still coming in. Dr. Sybilla Skaluba, an ASP employee and the coordinator and originator of the campaign, is thus appealing to companies for financial support, as there is beginning to be a shortage of funds to purchase the material. Helping the medics is crucial - otherwise who will help us?
The Faculty of Industrial Forms of the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow has also decided to unite in the face of the prevailing threat and use the acquired skills and available methods to produce virus-protective elements. On the initiative of Professor Czeslawa Frejlich, in consultation with Dr. Anna Szwaja and the Socially Engaged Circle, a social group "Designing against PANDEMIA" was established, in which both educators and students implement their ideas. As a result of the activities, members are printing elements for protective visors for doctors, sewing masks, developing instructions for use and designing infographics for pro-health social campaigns.
3D printed visor elements on the initiative of Wojciech Szkodlarski, Faculty of Industrial Forms, ASP Kraków
Photo: Wojciech Szkodlarski
instructions for removing the gloves
drawing: Agnieszka Zygmunt and Magdalena Środek-Glapska
Masks out of a mask? Snorkeling a lifesaver for respiratory hygiene
The Student Government of the Medical University of Lodz has come up with the idea of treating snorkeling masks for use to protect the personal respiratory tract and conjunctiva of medical personnel. Thanks to the efforts of students, especially Kuba Jonakowski, the adapters produced make it possible to add antimicrobial and antiviral filters to the mask. In addition, the created adapter fits tightly into hospital equipment - ventilators and self-expanding bags, which was an important goal of the creators.
The making of the adapters is possible thanks to the volunteer work of 3D printers of two scientific circles from the Technical University of Lodz and individually committed people. "We have already delivered our adapters to medical personnel in Lodz itself and distributed them to those in need in Warsaw, Szczecin, Bielsko-Biala and Czestochowa, among others," says Aleksander Morzyk, Chairman of the Project Committee. He stresses that the realization of their idea is possible largely thanks to the support of the local community in providing diving and medical equipment. At the same time, he encourages all-round help in the fight against the pandemic. Every gesture counts!
Treating snorkeling masks for use in personal respiratory and conjunctival protection of medical personnel
Photo: University Student Government Council of the Medical University of Lodz
Poorex visors - no 3D printer needed!
Cracow-based graphic artist and designer and creator of the Poor Design brand Bartosz Mucha has proven that the production of visors without specialized and expensive equipment such as a 3D printer is possible. The readily available materials and simple assembly technologies he uses every day are enough for him. And to create a visor? Only 1 min 30 sec and $3! Amazing, right?
As Bartosz explains, "The visors are made from binding covers (200 microns thick), knitted rubber (5 cm wide) and a stiffener made of hyps (1 mm thick). I connect everything with an upholstery stapler and safety pin." The author is actively involved in supporting medical services, and his equipment has already gone to the University Hospital in Krakow's Prokocim and a facility in Bochnia.
visor assembly materials and tools
Photo: Bartosz Mucha, author of the idea
We are hopeful to comment on and support the constantly undertaken charitable activities, aware of the need to take care of the common good in the fight against the pandemic. We have previously written about the initiatives of the School of Form organization or the designers of the MJZ architecture studio.
DIY: mass home production of protective masks
We have already mentioned how origami masks were developed by Dr. Anna Myczkowska-Szczerska of the Faculty of Industrial Forms at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow origami mask. This time we present an idea for masks made of... vacuum cleaner bag. In 15 minutes you will get 4 such masks! Although they are not professional medical equipment, they certainly filter the permeated air better than standard household fabrics, thanks to the nonwoven material they contain. And you don't have to (although you can) use a sewing machine - fast, simple and effective!
masks made from vacuum cleaner bags, designed by Dr. Monika Wojtaszek-Dziadusz of the Faculty of Industrial Forms at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow.
© Monika Wojtaszek-Dziadusz
