Volunteers use 3D printing to print $11,000 valve for $1 that was unavailable

in #maker4 years ago

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A manufacture was unable to provide valves for a hospital in Italy due to high demand. With the help of an editor from a local paper and a tech expert, they obtained a 3D printer from Fracassi, a pharmaceutical boss at a local company.

Original Valve


Source

3D Printed Valve


Source

Fracassi contacted the manufacturer for a 3D model and was told they cannot supply it and any attempt to duplicate is illegal. Fracassi went ahead and designed and printed the valves anyway to go on and save many patient lives due to the Corona virus.

Fracassi mentions on Facebook hundreds if not thousands of 3D printer experts contacted him to provide support and advice.

The company who makes the valve claims they didn't threaten to sue and couldn't provide the 3D model due to regulations although original accounts claim they did.

A Facebook update on March 14th says at least 10 patients have used the 3D printed valves, no further updates since then.

Original article is available in Italian.

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There are many other interesting projects that are helping with 3D printed products. For example, Czech company that produced 3D printed masks.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2020/03/24/calling-all-makers-with-3d-printers-join-critical-mission-to-make-face-masks-and-shields-for-2020-healthcare-workers/#651ed9137500

Someone sent me something like this and said I should start 3D printing them.

3d printing will save us all. It can only get cheaper and higher quality for here.

$rewarding 100%

A very important find. This is part of the larger move towards decentalization that most are missing. This is something we discuss in cryptocurrency and blockchain but it is happening all over the place.

There is a much bigger trend that is in operation, all exposing the shortcomings of our centralized system.

Yes Task!! Woot 👍🎶⚓

That's freaking awesome news! Glad to see everyone helping out during these times!!! I really hope the company that makes the originals doesn't sue because that would be really shitty right now.

Its amazing what we can do with 3D printing!

It was a good business supplying valves and no more lol. Talk about having a decent profit margin and how stupid of them to even get close to running out. With those margins I would have left boxes with each customer on consignment never letting anything like this ever happen.

They can go ahead and sue. That would expose how inhuman they are. As long as lives are saved, I think they deserve an award. These are hard times, if you care more about money and not human lives. Then you have to check yourself.

Yeah I feel like I need a 3D printer... I saw the Digibyte founder making 3D printed face masks. If everyone gets 3D printers we can start decentralized manufacturing, lol. PoP- proof of printer, lol.

Hi ! I am Neha !
Wow! What an inspiring story :) ! I so hope the world rids itself of this menace :(
I Love your posts! Voted you as a Witness. Keep the good work up @themarkymark ;)

#decentralize change the flow. Do what's right each moment. Koodos to Fracassi and the huge number of ppl that came forward to collaborate on this project. This is awesome!

Thanks for your work to forge forward in a good way @themarkymark ❤🙏❤

A fellow villager from where I used to reside is using his to create the head mask structure for the PPE face mask. It's amazing how something purchased as a personal gadget can suddenly become so essential.

"Coronavirus is Straining Hospitals. Here's How Innovators Are Helping. | NYT News"