TheElda Footwear Technology Institute (Inescop)has made available to the Valencian Government all its capabilities, knowledge, human resources and infrastructure to deal with the health crisis caused by the coronavirus. But in addition to the collaboration with IVACE and the various steps taken with companies and business and professional associations, Inescop is working in coordination ondifferent innovative solutionsThey help guarantee the supply of medical supplies in the face of the shortage suffered by hospitals.
At the moment, the lines of work carried out by the professionals of the Elda technology center are focused on the automatic cutting of the textile material used for the manufacture of masks, as well as on3D printingof the pieces that support the protective visors used by the toilets. So far, the material needed to make 4,500 masks has been cut and 2,500 have been sanitized. Most of them are being sent to the General University Hospital of Elda and, to a lesser extent, to pharmacies and the Local Police. In the last week, 90 visors -30 daily- have also been manufactured, which are delivered directly to health professionals so they can take care of sanitizing them.
Technical advice
Inescop is providing technical advisory service to companies that have decided to put their productive capacities at the service of the needs of the health sector. Thus, laboratories have carried out tests on the materials used to make masks.
“It is a matter of contributing with our technological capacities, resources and infrastructures. For example, we can measure properties likeimpermeability to water, which prevents the dispersion of respiratory drops, which is where the coronavirus or air permeability is transmitted, which is related to the breathability of the masks “, he explainsElena Orgilés, deputy director of Materials and Technology of Inescop, which is also contributing to the sanitation of masks, using climatic chambers, before their distribution. “These are hygienic masks, for non-sanitary use, since hospitals have their own method of sterilization, but for lower risk groups we recommend sanitizing them before being distributed, as well as taking extreme precautions for daily cleaning of the masks at home », Points out the expert.
In the field of 3D printing, Inescop is coordinating its efforts with platforms such as the Community of Makers of the Valencian Community against the coronavirus. It is a matter of contributing their knowledge in 3D printing and the equipment in printers and material for the manufacture of the parts that hold the face protection visors worn by health personnel. “We manufacture 30 pieces a day and we will also supply transparent PVC sheets, which are mounted next to the printed piece to form the protective visor,” says Eduardo Calabuig, deputy director of Advanced Manufacturing.
In the face of the current health emergency, the collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Technology Centers also stands out to face the new challenges that arise. The centers are collaborating with more than 4,500 researchers and technologists from all over Spain on day-to-day needs. In short, it is a mobilization coordinated by the Ministry of Sustainable Economy, through which the 11 technological centers of REDIT are mobilizing the industrial fabric of the Community to guarantee the supply of face masks, hydroalcoholic gels and face shields, as well as to develop new innovative solutions to stop the pandemic.
An online platform will channel the business offer
Another line of work started by IVACE and REDIT technology centers is a free online platform, which will be made available to the business community in order to help solve the health emergency. “To do this,” Minister Rafael Climent explained, “the offer of solutions and business capabilities available for the manufacture and supply of those products that are currently most urgent will be channeled.”
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