Covid Maker Response (CMR) was a coalition that assembled, manufactured, and distributed 3D-printed PPE (personal protective equipment) to healthcare workers on the front lines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. CMR was founded by members of Columbia University Libraries, Tangible Creative, and MakerBot, and grew at lightspeed to become one of the largest grassroots manufacturer of PPE in New York City.
CMR was founded at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting New York in March 2020, when the PPE shortage was dire. In its first 10 days of operation, CMR was able to troubleshoot, produce, assemble, and distribute over 3000 face shields to health care workers on the front lines, setting up an operation on the fly. Eventually, the team scaled up dramatically to produce and distribute 1000 PPE face shields a day for the next few months.
Spearheaded by Columbia University Librarians and financially supported by Columbia University Libraries, 3D printed visors were generously provided by MakerBot (Brooklyn) and Tangible Creative (Newark). At the 92nd Street Y on the Upper East Side, volunteers used these 3D printed visors and other supplies to assemble and deliver PPE shields. Two other smaller spaces on the Upper West Side were operational for preparing raw materials and assembling shields for smaller orders.
Completed face shields were distributed to local hospitals every day. In the end, CMR produced and distributed close to 30,000 shields locally and internationally. This website documents these efforts, and commends the hardwork and ingenuity of our librarians, 3D printing company partners, and community volunteers who stepped up to assist, in a small way, the courageous efforts of frontline healthcare workers during the height of the PPE shortage.
