With the plastic injection molding process, the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers is stepping up a gear by producing protective visors mainly for healthcare workers.
Born out of a partnership with the Mechanical and Production Engineering Department (GMP) atthe Angers-CholetUniversity Institute of Technology located on campus, the manufacture of visors, initially launched using additive manufacturing with a capacity of 6 pieces produced per day, has now increased to more than 150 per day with plastic injection molding!
Collaborative work for a solidarity project
This manufacturing process is the result of a collective effort initiated by the project leaders Guénaël Germain, University Professor, and Jérôme Péju, Head of the Technical Assistance Service for Teaching and Research (SATER) at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers .
The visor model was designed by the Bordeaux campus. The plastic injection mold was designed and manufactured in the machine shop at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers by SATER (Technical Assistance Service for Teaching and Research). In addition, Ludovic Savouré, a teacher at the IUT, lent a hand in the production of this tooling. This manufacturing process is part of a network dynamic in Maine-et-Loire with a group of partners: the University of Angers, Visières Solidaires, and the Saint Aubin-la-Salle and Chevrolier high schools.
Volunteer staff
This solidarity initiative in the fight against Covid-19 has been made possible thanks to the mobilization of volunteer staff from SATER (Technical Assistance Service for Teaching and Research), as well as teachers and administrative staff. In the workshops on the Angers campus, shifts are organized to produce the headbands on the plastic injection machine, then assemble the visors (punching holes in the plastic sheets, attaching the elastic bands) and manage orders.
Very positive feedback
Today, the goal is to continue efforts to optimize the production process, but also to find raw materials, distribute equipment, and identify healthcare facilities in need. To do this, the campus can count on its partners, such as the company Devillé, which has generously donated polypropylene bags for the manufacture of headbands.
Last week, the campus produced 320 visors in two days, some of which were delivered to shelters for people with disabilities. The goal now is to expand deliveries to facilities such as nursing homes, associations, medical-social facilities, and public partners . In some cases, this could benefit companies under the GARAS program (Guide d'Accompagnement de Reprise d'Activité Sécurisée, or Guide to Safe Return to Work). Feedback has been very positive:
These visors are very lightweight and easy to use. All of our association's staff would like to thank you very much for this initiative, saysthe manager of an organization that received a donation of visors.
Does your organization need visors?
To order them, simply contact the Citizen and Solidarity Platform by filling out the dedicated form here! The group will contact applicants directly to jointly set production deadlines and delivery terms.
