Sustainable Manufacturing Changes with New Corona May 20 17:29
I think that many people are paying more attention to hand washing due to the spread of new coronavirus. But do you know that there are unexpected pitfalls when entering a room or exiting the toilet?
It's a "doorknob". Isn't it touched with a thoroughly washed hand?
In order to solve these problems, a Belgian software company has devised a device that can be opened by the arm without directly touching the door knob. What is even more noticeable is that if you use this device and a 3D printer, you can make it anywhere in the world.
We are paying attention to the efforts to anticipate the change to sustainable new manufacturing, triggered by the spread of new coronavirus infection. (Nana Yamada, Reporter, International Department)
Hands-free infection prevention measures
This device called "Handsfree Door Opener".
The idea was given by the president of Banklan, "Materialize", a Belgian company that develops software for 3D printers.
Various types of design data are available according to the shape of the door knob such as handle type and round type.
This data can be output by a 3D printer that builds products by stacking resin and metal etc., and by simply screwing the completed parts at several places, anyone can easily install it.
With the material cost and electricity bill, the production cost per piece can be as low as about 300 yen.
Behind this was the mission of President Banclan, who must protect employees from new coronavirus infections.
In order to reduce contact between employees, the president divided the employees into two groups and took measures so that they would not go to work at the same time.
However, on news that experts point out that the virus will stay longer on hard and slippery surfaces such as doorknobs, even if the work day is adjusted, the risk of infection through the doorknob is unavoidable I felt a sense of crisis.
Free release of data for 3D printers
A 3D printer that can make the same thing anywhere with data.
Originally, the purpose was to protect the lives of employees, but in order to help prevent infections around the world, President Banclan decided to publish the design data for free on the Internet.
Materialized Fried Banclan President
“Physical movement is restricted due to the spread of new coronavirus infection, now 3D printer technology that can easily and quickly make products anywhere and localization of manufacturing is very important. I'm playing a role and I'm happy to make a positive contribution to the world. "
Medical field where you want to prevent secondary infection to patients
The idea of President Bunklan is beginning to be used in Japan.
At the Dental Examination Center at Hokkaido University Hospital, we thought that thorough prevention of infection by doctors and staff who come into contact with patients would indirectly protect patients.
I made this device by utilizing the hospital's 3D printer that was used to make the teeth needed for treatment and the facial model needed for surgery.
At first, there was a problem that the parts were not strong enough and they broke, but after repeated trials and errors, we made them, and now they are installed at 8 locations in the building. Recently, we have received requests for production from other wards that want to strengthen infection prevention, and its use is spreading throughout the hospital.
Above all, what I thought was particularly important was the installation on the doorknob of the toilet.
After using the toilet, I was worried that even if I washed my hands cleanly, if I touched the door knob when I went out, it would be useless to wash my hands.
Keigo Nishikawa, Deputy Chief Engineer, Biomedical Engineering Department, Dental Examination Center, Hokkaido University Hospital
"If an infected person emerges from the medical staff, it may or may not lead to a secondary infection in the hospital, so this method is important to reduce the risk as much as possible. As I understood by actually using it, it is designed to open the door without applying too much force, and it is possible to adjust the data according to the size of the door knob And I really felt the feeling of the designer, Banclan.
What you can do to prevent infection
Some people have begun using this device at home.
Nobuhiro Mori who runs a laboratory called "Tokyo Maker" that provides technical support for machine tools such as 3D printers for companies and individuals in Tokyo.
I live in Yokohama with my wife, two sons, and four.
I was worried that I might bring the virus into my house without knowing it, but since I started using this device, I feel comfortable.
Ms. Mori who is familiar with work patterns and handling machine tools such as 3D printers. I sympathized with President Bunklan, who released the design data for free, and began to want to help prevent infection.
What I noticed is the design data of the face shield that was published on the Internet by the designer of the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
We adjusted the shape and size of the Japanese face and released the data for free.
Nobuhiro Mohri, President of Tokyo Maker, “I am really grateful that we can prevent infection in an instant by one person like Mr. Banklan in an emergency in this kind of situation. And the sales are very difficult, but I would like to share the know-how I can make with each other and help each other. ''
To sustainable manufacturing
Design data for the "Handsfree Door Opener" has been downloaded more than 30,000 times so far in Japan, the United States, China, and other parts of Europe.
This is a form in which the world of 3D printers has been successfully utilized and the world has been connected.
Mr Bunklan pointed out that the global supply chain would be seriously disrupted in the face of the new coronavirus crisis, where borders cannot move freely. He also said that 3D printer technology could be used to localize production and build a sustainable production system.
I feel that manufacturing, which can be said to be a symbol of globalization, has reached its limit, where cheap labor is used to produce large quantities of products in factories and send them to consumers. With the spread of the new coronavirus infection, manufacturing may change dramatically from globalization to localization, that is, production of small amounts of various varieties at the place of consumption.
"The corona crisis has the positive side that the world can be strongly united. I hope that this unity will continue even after the crisis," said Mr. Banklan's words.
International Department Reporter
Nana Yamada
Joined in 2009
After working at Nagasaki Station, Chiba Station, Economic Department, now in charge of America and Europe in International Department