Leigh Park's Park Community School teacher turns his design skills to saving lives with new face shield

Daniel Payne, who works at Park Community School, was inspired to use the school’s 3D printer after a conversation with his mother-in-law, Deborah Rolls, who works at St Peter’s Surgery in Woolston, had expressed concerns about a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff who are not working in hospitals.

Mr Payne said: ‘Deborah was concerned about a lack of PPE in local surgeries where staff may still be having to deal with patients who have coronavirus. She asked me to make 10 masks for staff at her surgery and we have now started making shields for other local surgeries.’

The shield, which Daniel adapted to specifically fit the school’s 3D printer, consists of a protruding headband and plastic protective screen. He devised his own design after seeing other models online.

‘The shield is designed to reduce the risk of exposure,’ said Mr Payne. ‘The shield goes down almost as far as the breast bone and with the extended headband it’s very difficult for any cross infection.

‘It’s a hygienic plastic which can be cleaned and reused.’

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Headteacher Chris Anders said: ‘A lot of schools have small 3D printers but ours was large enough to make the shields and so when Daniel approached me with the idea, we as a school wanted to do our bit to help.’

The DT team at the school has adapted the design to use the school’s laser cutter to manufacture the shields more quickly. When production of the new laser shields commences after Easter, Mr Payne also hopes to involve key worker children.

‘The 3D printer is quite slow but we have ordered the materials for the new laser produced shields which will enable us to make up to 20 a day and we hope to make 300 in total.

‘We are going to involve some of the students in the manufacturing process which will be quite significant as many of their parents are currently working on the front line. They could literally be making a product which could save their parents’ lives,’ he said.

The school has also donated more than 60 pairs of protective goggles to Queen Alexandra Hospital and Rowans Hospice.

Mr Payne added: ‘Adversity really brings out the best of British spirit and it’s important we all do our bit to help save lives.’

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