At the initiative of 50 doctors, nurses and engineers in France, the Parisian hospital association Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), with the support of the Université de Paris and French fashion group Kering, among others, has set up its own 3D printing farm at short notice. The facility on the premises of a Parisian clinic comprises 60 Stratasys (Eden Prairie, Minnesota / USA; www.stratasys.com) printers, which will supply the 39 affiliated hospitals with protective equipment against virus infection. The 3D printer manufacturer is also coordinating a coalition with US companies and universities (see Plasteurope.com of 07.04.2020).

The “3D COVID” project was set up in ten days and produces parts for medical supplies including masks and face shields, electric syringe pumps, intubation devices and valves for ventilators. Kering is financing the project with an undisclosed sum, which is said to be up to EUR 2m.

AP-HP has also set up a platform (www.3dcovid.org) to handle short-term orders and enquiries from the entire Paris region.