Northwest Aerospace News June | July Issue No. 15 | Page 42

The Food Lifeline warehouse has been reconfigured so staff and volunteers can maintain social distance from each other while packing emergency kits. Boeing’s annual Food & Essentials Drive in the Puget Sound drive this year raised more than 400,000 dollars (Photo courtesy: Food Lifeline) Among its first actions, Boeing activated its additive manufacturing network around the country, including several sites in the Puget Sound region, to 3D-print face shields. The design includes a 3D-printed frame with an adjustable headband and clear plastic face shield snapped onto the frame. The company is working to produce several thousand a week. Boeing also donated tens of thousands of units of personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks, goggles, suits, gloves and safety glasses to support healthcare professionals in local communities. Additionally, the company has begun providing airlift capabilities, including the use of its Dreamlifter, one of the world’s largest cargo carriers, to help transport critical and urgently needed supplies to healthcare professionals. The company is coordinating closely with government officials and others on how best to provide support. An employee holds a face shield with a frame that was 3D-printed at Boeing. Boeing launched the COVID-19 transport missions with a flight in April, using a 737-700 aircraft from its corporate fleet to bring PPE from China to the United States. The company worked in partnership with FIRST® Robotics founder Dean Kamen to transport 540,000 medical-grade face masks for delivery to healthcare professionals battling COVID-19 in New Hampshire. 42 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS