Nerve Centre takes the fight to Covid-19 with laser-cut face shields

READY TO GO... The first batch of laser cut face shields produced by the Nerve Centre’s FabLab were delivered to the Western Health Trust and the Foyle Hospice this week.

Derry’s Nerve Centre has been operating a little differently recently.

Normally, the boffins at the creative media arts hub are busy masterminding innovative digital solutions for 21st century living.

However, in recent weeks, the team has been playing a key role in the fight against the deadly Covid-19 pandemic by designing and manufacturing a laser cut face shield that can be worn by those working in the frontline.

A close-up of one of the face shields produced at Derry’s Nerve Centre.

Using technology available in its ‘FabLab’, more than 1,000 face shields have, to date, been produced.

Around 800 of these face shields will be delivered to the Western Health Trust (WHSCT) and Foyle Hospice this week.

However, according to John Peto, of the Nerve Centre, sourcing material for the shields is proving very difficult.

He told the ‘Journal’ this week: “If we were able to get more 0.5mm PET or PETG plastic, we would have the capability to make up to 2,000 face shields a week.

Paul McCay who led the design and testing of the shield.

“However, given the scale of the Covid-19 crisis, everyone is looking to source the same material. It’s like the proverbial hen’s teeth.

“That’s why we are appealing to anyone who may have any of this material to get in touch with us. For example, some businesses may have it in their supply chain, others may know where they can source it and, perhaps, someone has it stored in a warehouse.

“Any spare sheets or rolls, we can use it to produce more visors for our frontline workers.”