Impact of Masks Made by Additive Manufacturing during the Period of the Global COVID-19 Pandemic
Luis Humberto Robledo-Taboada *
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Gloria Elizabeth Atristain-Vasconcelos
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Vicente Morales-Castillo
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Gerardo Silva-Montes
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Martha Hilaria Bartolo-Alemán
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Moisés Martínez-López
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Atalia Luna-Perez
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Sarai Maria Martínez-Mendoza
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Danny Adolfo Cordova-Mireles
Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Avenida Ing. Víctor Bravo Ahuja No. 125 Esquina Calzada Tecnológico, (951)5015016 C.P. 68030, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
3D printing technology made numerous contributions to the healthcare sector during the recent coronavirus 2019 pandemic (COVID-19). This review discusses some of these contributions of 3D printing that helped protect multiple lives during this health emergency and lists some of the key benefits of using 3D printing technology during an emergency over other traditional methods. This research confirms that 3D printing is very useful in times of severe supply shortages and excess demand. This review recognizes the collaborative approaches of individuals, entrepreneurs, academics, and companies that have helped form a global network to deliver 3D printed medical and nonmedical components, making additive manufacturing (3D printing) a representative alternative to produce ergonomic, cost-effective products and sustainable masks that reduce their environmental impact.
Keywords: Covid-19, additive manufacturing, environmental impact