The ExOne Company, a provider of industrial 3D printers using binder-jetting technology, and the University of Pittsburgh partnered to develop reusable metal filters that fit into a specially designed respirator cartridge for sustainable, long-term protection against contaminants, such as COVID-19. ExOne’s binder-jetting technology is a high-speed form of 3D printing that can produce metal parts with specific porosity levels that can effectively filter out contaminants while allowing airflow.

Sheffield Forgemasters is devoting its 3D-printing facility to help protect vulnerable, frontline national health service (NHS) workers and assist in the U.K.'s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s Research, Design and Technology (RD&T) department has started to produce 3D-printed components for protective visors used by NHS staff. The initiative coincides with the request of the mayor of the Sheffield City Region for South Yorkshire businesses to join the national effort and help make life-saving medical equipment during the pandemic. RD&T uses its 3D-printing output to produce models and prototypes for ultra-large, complex steel components, but – with the ability to 3D-print the visor components – the business is more than happy to play its part in assisting the fight against the pandemic.

According to research conducted by Clear Seas Research (a BNP Media Company) April 16-20, 56% of active business and 50% of planned business throughout the manufacturing industry is still on schedule during the coronavirus pandemic. These numbers show a decline from the last survey April 2-6, which showed 63% of active business and 57% of planned business was on schedule. Along those lines, 11% of active business has been cancelled, which is an increase from the 9% reported in the last survey.

Stony Brook University released an article detailing its preliminary research and findings on the efficacy of dry heat sterilization on personal protective equipment (PPE). The research team used a Gruenberg dry heat sterilizer to determine if there was degradation of the N95 masks after several rounds of dry heat treatment. Results from the testing were positive, showing that the heat treatment did not cause visible structural damage and had no effect on the straps.

Baker Furnace developed an incineration solution for infectious medical waste. As more and more people are treated for COVID-19, the amount of infectious waste produced will continue to increase. The company manufactured a medical waste incinerator that uses temperatures in excess of 1832°F (1000°C) to eliminate infectious pathogens and reduce waste.

Boeing will resume all commercial airplanes production in a phased approach at its Puget Sound-region facilities after suspending operations last month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At all of its sites, the company has taken extra precautions and instituted comprehensive procedures to keep people safe and fight the spread of COVID-19.

North American Stainless (NAS) and its 1,500 workers are producing thousands of tons of high-quality stainless steel used on the front lines of the U.S. healthcare system as it battles COVID-19, according to the company. The Ghent, Ky.-based facility is responding to the immediate increase in demand for high-quality stainless steel used in products such as ventilators, oxygen tanks, hospital beds and more.

According to research conducted by Clear Seas Research (a BNP Media Company) April 2-6, 63% of active business and 57% of planned business throughout the manufacturing industry is still on schedule during the coronavirus pandemic. These numbers show a decline from the last survey March 24-26, which showed 67% of active business and 63% of planned business was on schedule. Along those lines, 9% of active business has been cancelled, which is an increase from the 7% reported in the last survey.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. announced that, based on current market conditions, it will be temporarily idling production at two of its iron-ore mining operations: Northshore Mining in Minnesota and Tilden Mine in Michigan. The company said that it will work down current inventory levels from these two operations and will continue to ship iron ore to fulfill its commercial agreements with steel customers. Unless business circumstances change, Cleveland-Cliffs plans to temporarily idle production at Northshore by mid-April with a planned restart by August 2020, and Tilden will be temporarily idled by the end of April with a planned restart in July 2020.

Thermal Product Solutions (TPS) is working with hospitals to prove the efficacy of its Gruenberg product line for dry heat sterilization on PPE and N95 masks for reuse. Tests at a research hospital show positive results in the dry heat sterilization of masks, face shields, gowns and other PPE, with minimal deterioration of the material. During the process, masks were heated to a specified temperature for a calculated period of time that resulted in sterilization of the material. After the sterilization process, fit tests were performed on the masks that passed filtration efficacy, structural integrity and mask fit.