Lowe’s associates are using 3D printers to donate face shields to the community

In the midst of the pandemic, Lowe’s Charlotte Tech Hub is leaning on their STEM expertise and figuring out a way to give back to the community during the crisis and after.

Last month, Lowe’s purchased 50 3D printers to produce (and donate) personal protective equipment, PPE, for first responders and healthcare workers. Lowe’s mailed the printers to the homes of local Charlotte Tech Hub associates who had volunteered to help out with the new initiative.

By leveraging the technology of 3D printing, and often enlisting help from their families, the Lowe’s associates are able to produce more than 350 face shields a day — in addition to their full-time jobs at Lowe’s.

The face shields are made one piece at a time using 3D printing templates and a hard plastic material. Then, the pieces are delivered to the Uptown-based Urban League of Central Carolinas where the shields are assembled (along with the help of She Built This City, a Lowe’s nonprofit partner) and distributed in the community. Lowe’s is covering the cost of most supplies for the project and She Built This City is donating all of the elastic needed to make the shields.

Here’s how the pieces come together:

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In March, Governor Cooper said “it’s the Wild West out there in trying to buy this equipment.” By leveraging 3D printing technology, Lowe’s is able to produce the shields themselves.

Over the next few months, 350-plus shields a day will add up and make a big difference in the community. According to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, healthcare providers across the state need almost 7,000 face shields a day.

Patrick Carmody, a senior manager in product management and father of four, is one of the Tech Hub associates who volunteered for the initiative.

Patrick was excited for the opportunity to give back to the community with his children as well as help them learn valuable STEM skills.

“We wanted to be able to give back to the community and this was a way for us to do that from our home,” Patrick said recently in an interview. 

The Carmodys have made 3D printing a family activity, and Patrick says his kids have enjoyed the project. “It’s a really positive experience for them. They’re excited not only to be able to interact with the machine that’s in our home but I think they’re really excited to be able to give back to the community.”

Here’s how the Carmodys work together to create the shields:

The children of Lowe’s tech associates are also able to join bi-weekly webinars led by two of Lowe’s nonprofit partners, She Built This City and Digi-Bridge. Both organizations focus on hands-on learning opportunities to get kids excited about STEM. Even though education has gone virtual, those missions haven’t changed. The webinars also help parents who are working full-time jobs at home.

Come August, the 3D printers will continue to help the community even after they’re done producing face shields.

Lowe’s plans to donate the 3D printers to local schools and nonprofits with a focus on STEM education. She Built This City, Digi-Bridge, and the National Urban League have each already received a 3D printer since they are actively helping with this project.

Interested in learning more about Lowe’s Charlotte Tech Hub? Check it out here.

(This content was created in partnership with Lowe’s.)