Photo By Palmer Pinckney II | NAVFAC EXWC partners with NAVAIR and the Pacific Fleet Seabees of NCG-1 to prepare and...... read more read more
PORT HUENEME, Calif. (April 14, 2020) — Naval Facilities (NAVFAC) Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (EXWC) has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic through the use of the command’s additive manufacturing capabilities.
The office of the Assistant Secretary of Research, Development & Acquisition (ASN RD&A) initiated weekly meetings of the Navy’s system commands (SYSCOM), whose additive manufacturing leads possess the capability to develop and restock vital personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to combat the pandemic.
NAVFAC EXWC’s support of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency response efforts began by representing NAVFAC at SYSCOM meetings during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. NAVFAC EXWC provided high-level, non-directive updates to SYSCOM leadership, keeping them apprised of the preliminary additive manufacturing efforts via NAVFAC EXWC’s Expeditionary Department.
In late March, NAVFAC EXWC’s dry lab and the Expeditionary Maintenance Center (EMC) rapidly began developing a workflow at the request of the ASN RD&A. Tactical efforts began on April 9 at the direction of NAVFAC EXWC’s Additive Manufacturing Implementation Lead, Todd Jonas.
“By nature, engineers live to figure out solutions,” said Jonas, a certified professional engineer. “Our team of NAVFAC and Naval Construction Group ONE (NCG-1) professionals collaborated and executed this rapid response for 3D printing of face masks for urgent fleet needs. This endeavor is focused solely on preparing for a response if called upon. Being ready now, our efforts will allow NAVFAC to accelerate the production and shipment of needed personal protective equipment.”
On April 7, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) released a technical data package to the U.S. military community that provided a sample face mask kit validated by the National Institute of Health and Veteran’s Affairs, and approved for emergency use by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) when social distancing is not a viable option. Once authorized by leadership, NAVFAC EXWC and NCG-1 developed several “proof of concept” face mask kits using NAVAIR’s technical data package. NAVFAC EXWC and NCG-1 then coordinated the feasibility, cost, and procurement of the face mask kits for the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy, currently moored at the Port of Los Angeles.
“Our team jumped at the chance to leverage the capability we’ve developed in Additive Manufacturing for the greater good of the Fleet and the people of the greater Los Angeles area. Being able to partner with the Pacific Fleet Seabees makes it even more rewarding,” said NAVFAC EXWC Commanding Officer Captain Michael Saum. “This global COVID-19 pandemic does not deter [NAVFAC] EXWC from our mission to provide specialized expeditionary solutions to the warfighter. The fact that we continue to support the warfighter, alongside the warfighter, and meet the needs of our community, gives our team a great sense of purpose.”
The additive manufacturing teams from EXWC and NCG-1 began coordinating a response to various requests from Jonas, who received orders from NAVFAC headquarters. Teams began updating their additive manufacturing equipment capability to produce requested parts and then determined how many parts could be produced within 24 hours. Teams then coordinated their workforce availability to support production, and generated workflows to ensure the safe shipment of the face mask kits.
The face masks kits are currently being printed in three sizes: small, medium, and large. In addition to the customization of the face mask frame size, the design of the face mask frame can be heat molded to conform to the end user’s face using a low-level heat gun or blow dryer.
Currently, the rate of development for printing a single face mask takes approximately 20 minutes, which includes initial printing setup and cleaning. Each face mask’s kit includes an American-made MERV13 filter media that provide some viral filtration, a 3D printed frame, four rubber bands, and a cloth patch — all disinfected and carefully packaged in a plastic bag.
The face mask frames are currently printed at a rate of between three to six at a time per printer tray. If produced at full capacity, the additive manufacturing printers can produce over 50 frames per hour. Seven-person production crews from NAVFAC EXWC and NCG-1 are simultaneously tending to printers, breaking down filters, cutting patches, sanitizing mask frames, packaging face mask kits, and providing quality control support.
As early as April 14, NAVFAC EXWC will be prepared to deliver the first batch of 250 face mask kits to commands needing additional PPE Other commands will continue to coordinate with NAVFAC EXWC leadership for shipment of needed PPE, and subsequently update the additive manufacturing teams on further developing supplies.
The additive manufacturing capabilities of NAVFAC EXWC offer both CONUS and OCONUS support options that are legally produced and vetted by the FDA. As situations continue to develop, NAVFAC EXWC is positioned to lean forward to tactically and strategically support the COVID-19 support efforts as requested.
About Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC):
NAVFAC EXWC is a command of more than 1,300 dedicated federal employees, contractors, and military personnel who provide science, research, development, testing, evaluation, specialized engineering, and mobile logistics capabilities to deliver sustainable facility and pragmatic expeditionary solutions to the warfighter.
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For more news from NAVFAC EXWC, please visit https://www.navfac.navy.mil/ or visit us on Facebook @NAVFACEXWC
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2020 12:57 |
| Story ID: | 367347 |
| Location: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 513 |
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