Adidas and Carbon use 3D technology to tackle medical safety equipment shortage during coronavirus pandemic
Adidas and American digital manufacturing company Carbon have teamed up to produce 3D-printed face shields to help healthcare wokers in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
There have been over 398,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus to date in America, a record 1800 deaths on Tuesday taking the total to over 12,000.
Carbon - the manufacturers of the face shields - are now producing in excess of 18,000 units per week after they entirely shifted their production focus towards developing medical supplies.
They have also shared their print files across their entire global network, meaning anyone with access to a Carbon printer will be able to create the shields with the correct materials.
Adidas are supplementing Carbon's efforts to donate the face shields to American healthcare organisations, alongside first responders and communities who - despite great need - have a lack of supply.
This is not the first time the two companies have collaborated. Since 2017, the pair have worked together to create 3D-printed footwear.
The "lattice structures" used in Carbon's 3D printers significantly reduce the quantity of material used. They also reduce print speed times and improve comfort and performance levels of the product.
Adidas have also made donations to the World Health Organisation and the Chinese Youth Development Foundation, alongside hospitals in South Korea and the Red Cross.
