2024-05-04T12:06:08-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150190628/architecture-schools-are-using-digital-fab-labs-to-3d-print-medical-equipment Antonio Pacheco 2020-03-25T13:50:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/be/beac36c760b5a2472abe9f676722dca3.jpeg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>As the <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/1534026/covid-19" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> crisis continues to worsen and foreseeable shortages of necessary safety and medical equipment begin to materialize, several initiatives involving designers have sprung up to aid in the production of specialized protective gear for the doctors and nurses treating sick patients.&nbsp;</p> Rapidly Produced Face Shields <p>One effort is taking root through a network of partnerships between <a href="https://archinect.com/schools/cover/17517117/barnard-college" target="_blank">Barnard College</a> and <a href="https://archinect.com/columbiagsapp" target="_blank">Columbia University</a>, where&nbsp;<a href="https://studio.cul.columbia.edu/2020/03/21/studio-librarians-face-shields/" target="_blank">librarians, designers, and technicians</a> at the school's <a href="https://design.barnard.edu/" target="_blank">Design Center</a> are working together to 3D-print protective face shields for medical workers.</p> <p>The project has resulted in the&nbsp;<em><a href="https://studio.cul.columbia.edu/face-shield/" target="_blank">Guide and Design for Rapidly Produced Face Shields</a>,</em> a document created by Columbia's Digital Scholarship Librarian Alex Gil and Research Data Librarian Moacir P. de S&aacute; Pereira that includes a list of materials and instructions for 3D printing plastic protective visors for hospital use.&nbsp;</p> <p>"Although 3D printers can be used to print complex PPE such as N95 masks,"&nbsp;&nbsp;text on the p...</p> https://archinect.com/news/article/150006684/foster-partners-branch-technology-win-phase-2-level-1-of-nasa-3d-printed-habitat-challenge Justine Testado 2017-05-09T19:42:00-04:00 >2018-01-30T06:16:04-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/lm/lmny4v6oz5k18huk.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>The Foster + Partners and Branch Technology team recently won first prize in the NASA 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge's Phase 2: Level 1 Compression Test Competition. The three-phase Challenge envisions a future where autonomous machines can help build extra-terrestrial shelters for human habitation.&nbsp;Phase 2 is divided into three levels, with each one focusing on a different structural challenge.</p><p>After winning second place in Phase 1 in 2015, Foster + Partners teamed up with Branch Technology to refine the original concept.&nbsp;</p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/mr/mra51mi8d3s23g51.jpg"><br><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/4z/4z4ut5g1243x65j1.jpg"><br><em>Foster + Partners' Mars Habitat concept. Images &copy; Foster + Partners.</em></p><p>In Phase 2 - Level 1, the seven competing teams had to use a combination of recycled mission materials and indigenous Martian regolith to 3D-print a truncated cone and a cylinder, which went through compression testing to assess their suitability as structural components.&nbsp;</p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/hd/hdngzt5kzw2vly34.jpg"><br><em>Foster + Partners and Branch Technology's Cone Print. Courtesy of Foster + Partners | Branch Technology.</em></p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/f2/f2178e6o7xyhw40t.jpg"><br><em>Foster + Partners and Bran...</em></p>