Coronavirus: South-Auckland rocket man builds face shields for 20 cents each

A rocket-builder is using his talent to create protective face shields for 20 cents a pop.

Chris North has created some impressive displays of engineering.

As part of a five-man team, he spent 10 months and $35,000 helping to build New Zealand's largest amateur rocket.

But as the country locks down the 29-year-old engineer has set his sights on something much cheaper, much smaller and much more important.

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A stone's throw away from his rocket workshop his 3D printer is running 18 hours a day creating face shields for essential workers.

He's far from the first Kiwi to put his mind to the task, across the country an increasing number of 3D hobbyists and professionals are churning out similar protective equipment. 

In Auckland, the leader of Project Face Shield, Liam Venter has even managed to produce a prototype for as little as five dollars.

But North says he can do one better.

"In total, you'd be looking at under 20 cents for one of these."

The beauty, he says, is in its simplicity.

"There's benefits with every design," he says.

"But I wanted to make something that got that print time down - for me, I'd rather print fifty a day versus say five."

What comes off his printer is simple plastic bracket weighing only a few grams.

From there all you need is an A4 sheet of clear film, a hole puncher and a rubber band or hair tie to act as a strap and you have yourself a face shield. 

North says they can be assembled on-site and transported in something as small as a backpack.

"You could dump the whole bunch in a sink - wash them all put a new front sheet on it and start wearing it."

But most importantly they're being made now - with local taxi company, White Rose Cars, volunteering as courier they've managed to print and deliver 100 face shields to medical staff in the space of 48 hours.

"Theoretically you would be able to have these come out of an injection moulding machine at 1000 every hour but obviously that takes time to set up and put in place."

Every shield is free and while they may not be pretty, Franklin Intensive Care nurse Diana Bradley says they get the job done.

"I think they're just awesome," she says.

Networking with five others over social media, North says roughly 100 shields are being produced each day - a figure which could increase if others pick up the mantle. 

"There's hundreds of 3D printers in New Zealand - even high schools have them.

"All you have to do is go online to find a design and click print."

Although the shields are not meant to replace approved personal protective equipment they can add a secondary layer of protection for those working closely with others. 

"To stop people coughing or sneezing directly into your face."

And it's not just emergency services that could benefit. 

Because they're quick, easy and cheap North says they can be given to anyone who needs them. 

"We had an order from someone in police forensics because all their protective gear is prioritised for front line staff.

"There's a dentist who's interested.

"Even in the agricultural workers could use them - those that are close to each other in packhouses."

And with they've had plenty of donations to keep them going for the next week with OfficeMax donating 500 clear plastic sheets and a Bombay engineering company providing enough 3D filament for 600 brackets.

"The only limitation is resources... and doing this with breaking the lockdown rules."