11 April 2020: Stepping up their effort in the fight against COVID-19, Boeing has delivered the first set of reusable 3D printed face shields. In days to come, Boeing is set to produce thousands more face shields per week, gradually increasing production output to meet the growing need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the United States.
The distribution of these face shields is coordinated with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The initial shipment of 2,300 face shields was delivered to HHS. These shields will in turn be delivered to FEMA, who will distribute them to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas which is an alternate care site to treat patients with COVID-19.
Solvay, a long-time Boeing supplier, provided the clear film for the face shields. Another supplier, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, donated the elastic used for the adjustable headband.
Using additive manufacturing, Boeing is producing these face masks at their St. Louis, Missouri, China Lake, El Segundo, and Huntington Beach, California, Puget Sound region of Washington state, Mesa, Arizona, Huntsville, Alabama, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Charleston, South Carolina, San Antonio, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon facilities.
oeing subsidiaries Argon ST in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, and Aurora Flight Sciences in Bridgeport, West Virginia, are also participating in this project.
"Boeing is proud to stand alongside many other great American companies in the fight against COVID-19, and we are dedicated to supporting our local communities, especially our frontline healthcare professionals, during this unprecedented time," said Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun. "History has proven that Boeing is a company that rises to the toughest challenges with people who are second to none. Today, we continue that tradition, and we stand ready to assist the federal government's response to this global pandemic."
Apart from this, Boeing has donated thousands of PPE like face masks, goggles, gloves, safety glasses and protective bodysuits - to support healthcare professionals battling COVID-19.
Boeing has also offered use of its unique airlift capabilities, including the Boeing Dreamlifter, to help transport critical and urgently needed supplies to healthcare professionals.