On Wednesday, Mendocino College Career Education instructors provided Adventist Health with 250 - 3D printed face shields to use during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, the college also delivered 240 N95 masks, and another 5000, including ear loop surgical, face shield, and N95 were given directly from the Mendocino College Nursing Department.  

Dean of Career Education, Dennis Aseltyne stated, “This is Mendocino College Career Education instructors and students in action, making a difference by responding to the immediate medical equipment needs of our community and our region.”

“We have been touched by the outpouring of support from our community for healthcare workers on the front lines. At a time when usual supply chain channels are disrupted, the team from Mendocino College has found a way to address a great need and help keep our staff safe through their creativity. This demonstrates that one does not have to be a front line healthcare worker to help our community during this challenging time and that everyone can step up and find a way to help,” shared Jason Wells, President for Adventist Health in Mendocino County, which operates Adventist Health Howard Memorial and Adventist Health Ukiah Valley.

Theatre Arts/Technical Director, Steve Decker and Computer Science Instructor, David Pai have been running up to five different 3D printers daily for the past several weeks preparing the masks. Between the five machines, approximately 25 masks can be made daily. Decker and Pai admit that due to the new technology, the machines require a lot of handholding, which can result in slower production at times.

According to Pai, “In times of crisis, we want to leverage technology to provide solutions to problems. This was one way that we could leverage our 3D printing technology at the college to support our front-line medical workers in this crazy time.”

The type of 3D printing is called Fuse Deposition Modeling (FDM). FDM is a type of printing that melts the material and pushes it out a small nozzle where material is needed that cools to make the new part. It is much like a hot glue gun, but more controlled and produces little fumes. The material used is called Polylactic Acid (PLA) and is a bio-degradable thermoplastic made from plant-based sources such as sugar cane.

“These masks are vital to our first responders on the frontline. It's been great seeing how a new emerging technology can help out,” said Decker.

The college offers a course in 3D Design and Printing, (CSC175) where students learn not only the intricacies of FDM printing but also how to design their own parts for printing. In addition to FDM printing, students also gain experience using a Stereolithography (SLA) printer. The 3D print lab is available to all students who have previously completed CSC175.

Theatre Arts Instructor and Professional Costume Designer, Kathy Dingman-Katz has also been busy making free masks for the community and filling requests as they come in. Two of her former costume construction students are also supplying local nurses with masks.

For more information about Career Education programs at Mendocino College, visit www.mendocino.edu/ce.