Marcus Chu is making the most out of the lockdown. While most of us are maximizing our Netflix subscription and finally trying to work on those New Year's resolutions, the Grade 10 student, who just turned 16, has been printing 3D filaments to use for frontliner's face shields.
It started with a Facebook post. His dad showed him an online request from one of his uncles asking for 3D filament donations. "He was collecting donations to make face shield masks to donate to frontliners in Ospital ng Makati," Chu told Esquire. As fate would have it, he had just gotten a 3D printer for Christmas and he had 3D filaments at his disposal.
"I've been trying to ask my dad to get me a 3D printer, but since it was too expensive, he wouldn't approve. But then I found a Black Friday Sale that sold the 3D printer for a lot less," he said. Talk about luck!
He started printing face shield frames using an open source design that his uncle sent. A sheet of acetate could be attached to the framework to create the shield. "The design is really simple. Collectively, with even at least five printers, I think that around 50+ could be made within 24 hours." Chu admits that his printer is entry-level and he can only produce eight frames in a day, so he encourages other people with 3D printers to take the initiative.
Chu still attends school online Monday to Friday and though he admits that the quarantine is a struggle, he remains pragmatic about it: "There's not much we can do about it right now. I was also glad that Tito Erik gave me the chance to help out during this crisis."
If you would like to contribute to this cause, contact Erik Lacson.