Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is considered a renaissance of the manufacturing industry. Its unique capability of manufacturing 3D objects with intricate geometrical configurations has been used to produce hospital equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) in an attempt to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. The technology has been used by different research units to produce ventilators, respirator face masks, oscillating respiratory devices, oxygen connectors, oxygen splitters, non-invasive ventilation helmets, reusable clinician PPE, visor frames for face shields, etc. Despite the efforts of the AM community in South Africa, COVID-19 infections have continued to increase in the country. It came to light that technological interventions (including AM) alone cannot prevent the spread of the virus without the corresponding adaptive behavioural changes, such as adhering to COVID-19 prevention protocols (washing of hands, social distancing, etc.). It could be postulated that the spread of COVID-19 can only be prevented by inter-marrying the technological interventions (AM) with adaptive behavioural changes.
Highlights
The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic triggered a viral pandemic that has affected over 200 countries worldwide [1]
The contagiousness and outbreak of COVID-19 have resulted in a severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies
This study explores the technical and adaptive behavioural change debate in the phase of 3D printing interventions in South
Summary
The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic triggered a viral pandemic that has affected over 200 countries worldwide [1]. Using the layer-wise manufacturing strategy to manufacture hospital equipment with embedded antimicrobial agents (Cu, Ag, etc.) would enable hospital equipment and PPE to kill microorganisms upon contact with its surface and PPE Such a manufacturing strategy could be extended to all surfaces that are touched frequently, such as doorknobs, tables, etc., within the hospital premises and other public places, which would be a very effective approach for preventing the COVID-19 virus from spreading once it comes into contact with the 3D objects with embedded antimicrobial properties. South Africa has taken advantage of its grounded understanding of 3D printing technology to curb the spread of the diseases by rapidly manufacturing hospital equipment and PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19
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