Trendgineering
KraussMaffei produces temples for face protection shields
| Andreas Weseler
Production up to 15,000 plastic hangers per day and 120 visors per week
The need for personal protective equipment is currently enormous worldwide. The Extrusion Technology division in Hanover and the KraussMaffei site in Slovakia have responded to this shortage and have quickly moved into the production of reusable face visors and masks.
These visors are designed to complement the protective equipment of medical and healthcare professionals as well as of persons working in jobs with a high number of interpersonal contacts. The essential visor component is a stable, transparent film that can be disinfected with common disinfectants, is impermeable to droplets and keeps hands away from the face. So far, KraussMaffei has supplied its face visors several hospitals in Hannover.
Fast and unbureaucratic help
“Owing to the critical shortage of PPE, we – just like many other companies and individuals – feel an urgent need to help. In order to meet the increasing demand, we spontaneously decided to supply regional hospitals, retirement homes or nursing services with protective face visors. At the moment, three of our staff members are released from their usual job and engaged in visor production. They produce approx. 120 visors per week, around the clock. Our 3D printers are continuously used for visor holder printing, even on weekends,” says Matthias Sieverding, President of the Extrusion Technology Segment of the KraussMaffei Group. “In our R&D center, where extrusion tests are performed under realistic production conditions, we have managed to produce transparent film for the visors on the basis of our extensive know-how in this field.” Matthias Sieverding is extremely satisfied with the strong commitment of the KraussMaffei staff.
Simple protection against droplet infection
The visors are composed of five components: a rigid plastic holder produced on a 3D printer, a rubber strap to secure the visor to the head, a transparent film and two screws designed to attach the film to the holder. Facial visors can certainly not replace a face mask that has to be worn additionally, but they protect the eyes in particular, through which pathogens can also enter the body by airborne infection. The visor is exchangeable and can be cleaned with hot water and disinfected using standard disinfectant spray solutions.
“Visors produced by KraussMaffei are not certified. However, we do not intend to supply bulk buyers, but rather small next-door institutions, which are in desperate need of masks, but are currently finding it difficult to get them,” says Matthias Sieverding. “As long as there is a need for facial visors and our effort remains within reasonable limits, we at KraussMaffei will continue producing them.”
Institutions interested in KraussMaffei face protections are invited to send an e-mail to Michael Tieben.
KraussMaffei-Site Sucany produces plastic hangers for a customer
A special device, a plastic hanger, is required to attach the curved plastic visor made of PVC or Plexiglas to the head. This is currently being produced on the PX160-750 at KraussMaffei's Slovakian location and is helping to equip numerous groups of people with the face shield.
15.000 Kunststoffbügel am Tag
Martin Štěpánek, Werkleiter am Standort Sučany, erklärt: "Wir können bis zu 15.000 Kunststoffbügel pro Tag produzieren. Der Zusammenbau der Maske erfolgt dann beim Kunden."
15.000 of the blue hangers for masks
produces KraussMaffei at the Slovakian site for the customer i2-industrial innovations.
i2-industrial innovations, which specializes in prototyping and 3D printing, is a customer of KraussMaffei's Slovakian representative Kubousek.
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