PTI Engineered Plastics donating thousands of face shields against COVID-19

PTI Engineered Plastics has collaborated with industrial designers at PTI Design to create a protective face shield that can be quickly produced using injection molding manufacturing — helping to boost the supply of protective equipment for health providers treating people with COVID-19.

The Macomb, Mich.–based company says production of the shields started last week, with a goal of manufacturing 100,000 pieces in total.

PTI Engineered Plastics is coordinating donations with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and dental offices. Once more critical requests are met, donations could go to first responders and law enforcement personnel, followed by grocery stores and other essential workers.

PTI turned to existing designs or reference — but also made improvements:

• The frame design is flexible to accommodate a variety of head proportions and incorporates a visor on top for preventing contamination from above;
• The overall size of the lens of the shield is meant to provide adequate protection and has angled cuts with rounded portions at the bottom for increased mobility.
• Other features include an adjustable strap with side grip features and rear support and an open-cell foam padding at the forehead to allow for airflow and provide a cushion.

Less than one week after starting the project, PTI evaluated the final design using 3D printing technology and prototype samples. PTI accomplished the design and tooling quickly,  but demand for the polyester film (PET) for the lens caused considerable delays.