BPF Member Ricoh 3D Offers Help to Build Vital Ventilators

A leading 3D printing business has pledged its support to the battle against Covid-19 by offering to assist in the production of vital ventilators.

Ricoh 3D, based in Telford, has contacted Make UK and the Government to confirm it is willing and able to support an increase in mass ventilator manufacturing.

Ricoh 3D says it can help by using additive manufacturing to produce vital components for ventilators both quickly and cost-effectively.

It comes after a call from Health Secretary Matt Hancock for UK manufacturers to urgently work together to increase the number of the machines available to the NHS.

Mark Dickin, Additive Manufacturing & Moulding Engineering Lead at Ricoh 3D, said: “New ventillators are urgently required as the coronavirus crisis intensifies.

“Additive manufacturing will have a vital role to play in this as the technology is capable of producing bespoke parts quickly and cheaply.

“We have registered our willingness to help in any way. Our team of experts are on standby to design and produce any required parts at a moment’s notice.

“These are unprecendented times and businesses, as well as individuals, need to do everything possible to save lives.”

Ricoh 3D has already been involved in medical projects that have made living conditions better for thousands of people.

These include development of a lever-hinge mechanism for ankle-foot orthotics and involvement in revolutionary new technology which sees limbs scanned and precisely replicated using 3D printing prior to operation.

Surgical instruments can also be produced using AM and are typically used for intricate operations.

Visit https://rapidfab.ricoh-europe.com/ for more information.