In mid-March, the performance plastics industry saw an unprecedented mobilization around COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and provided solutions to protect health care workers, patients and public-facing employees. With some quick ingenuity, manufacturers, distributors and fabricators partnered together to offer a variety of thermoplastic based products, including protective “sneeze guard” barriers, medical face shields, intubation boxes, partitions and more.
Sneeze guards were one of the first applications rapidly developed.
Using acrylic, polycarbonate or PETG, these barriers were installed in
many grocery stores, gas stations and other businesses that were deemed
essential to remain open during many state-wide shelter-in-place orders.
The Polymershapes team developed many prototypes and narrowed down to
four standard offerings for customers that need a “ready-to-install”
option; including an aluminum framed version, hanging, frameless
freestanding and counter mounted. Custom-designed barriers are also an
option for customers with unique installation needs.
Face shields
are another application that was quickly developed for rapid turn-around
by many facilities. Using materials such as LEXAN™ polycarbonate film,
PETG and PET, Polymershapes offers designs that required no hardware or
assembly that fit right over existing safety glasses, ready-to-wear
shields with foam forehead padding or even models with sturdy frames
through partnerships with local 3D printers and injection molders.
The
rapid response to this crisis from our industry was most impressive,
and surely made an immediate impact in each of our communities.
www.polymershapes.com.