NORTHBOROUGH, Mass.—Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is supplying an elastomeric component to Boeing Co. for the manufacture of its 3D-printed face shields.
Boeing, at the end of March, asked Trelleborg to produce and supply an elastomer strap for the adjustable headband of the face shields.
TSS dedicated its aerospace facility in Northborough for the manufacture of the parts which are made from an aerospace grade silicone. Within 48 hours, TSS had prepared a prototype using a number of methodologies, including 3D printing.
Within a week, the Northborough plant was producing 5,000 straps a week.
"In these unprecedented times, it's imperative everyone plays a role that might not be in line with the one they are used to," Quinn Collett, air frame manager for Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Aerospace, said in a statement. "We were fortunate to receive the call from Boeing to support this effort and leverage Trelleborg's expertise to quickly address the need."
According to Trelleborg, Boeing's face shields will be produced for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which then will determine where the masks are most needed.