America Makes Additive Manufacturing Institute Catalyzes Community to Address Supply Chain Shortages in Relation to COVID-19

After receiving funds in the recent COVID-19 economic relief package passed by Congress late last month, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will award grants through what is being called the “Manufacturing USA National Emergency Assistance Program” with no requirements for cost matching. But as funds are making their way through the grant process, some Institutes are forging ahead in their response to the pandemic. America Makes, the Institute specializing in additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology, has already launched a COVID-19 Health Care Needs and Additive Manufacturing (AM) Capabilities Repository where additive manufacturers can upload 3D print designs to be reviewed and placed on the NIH 3D Print Exchange.
 
Last week, America Makes held a webinar to provide an overview of what the Institute has been doing to help organize the additive manufacturing community’s response to the COVID-19 process. They are working to identify how additive manufacturing can best make an impact and address specific issues such as access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors and healthcare providers on the front line of the pandemic. The online repository is actively streamlining the review process for uploading designs, which can help manufacturers respond to real-time needs of the healthcare community. Additionally, the site positions the additive manufacturing community so they can best meet long-term supply chain needs.
 
Healthcare providers, manufacturers, and designers can enter information into the repository, and then America Makes will share the information with specific government agencies (FDA, NIH, VA) to match needs to solutions. The system is meant to speed the design and manufacturing of much needed equipment to respond rapidly to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
 
To view the full webinar, please visit: https://youtu.be/01a_qH_Zg6Q.