Postcard from the Pandemic: ‘Geek Army’ to the rescue. Engineers pivot to create face-mask holders. Plus: how you can help.

POSTCARD FROM THE PANDEMIC: “Protecting healthcare professionals is our number one goal during the COVID-19 crisis.”

John Olson is the CEO and president of Microtech Analytical Labs. Previously he was a medic in the U.S. Army. Since the coronavirus outbreak, he and volunteers are using their 3D printers to create face shields to help healthcare facilities protect their staff in Dallas, including nursing homes and the Garland police department. He calls his team of engineers the “geek Army.” He and his wife, Joann, live in Preston Hollow with Abby, an 11^th grader, and Jack, an eighth grader at the Dallas International School.

His current business: Microtech Laboratories does electronic failure analysis and reverse engineering.  We specialize in reverse engineering how electronic components fail so they can be improved. We have always used 3D printers to create special test fixtures for doing our work.

How his business pivoted since the coronavirus: We use the 3D printers to print holders for face masks for medical workers and first responders. We print the headband that a clear plastic shield presses on to. We originally had four printers, but we bought another 10. We borrowed two from my children’s school and a few friends added theirs, so we will be up to 20 printers this week. With this we can print 200 face-mask holders a day. The consumer portion of our business has slowed so the engineers use their spare time to keep the printers running. It’s donation based.

What’s next: We got our first volunteer with four printers in McKinney to add to our pool. I’m really hoping to grow the printer volunteers.  The next problem is 3D printing filament in PETG plastic.  I realized that it would start getting scarce so this weekend I bought 300 rolls which is enough to print 18,000 face shields. I  checked today and it is almost sold out everywhere on Amazon.  I put together enough rolls on Amazon today to print maybe 1,000 more shield holders. The clear overhead transparency films I bought last week for  $12 per 100 are now $40 per 100 at office supply stores. I bought 200 boxes of 100 for $30 each on a office supply distributor website so I now have 22,000 transparencies and total filament to print 22,000 holders. This is going to be interesting as the raw materials get more scarce. I think I have bought up enough to print for the next two months. I also got my first email from a healthcare worker in New York City and she is asking for everything we could give her and I don’t honestly know how to answer her.

His at-home coronavirus coping strategy: We have Zoom happy hours with friends throughout the country. We’re planning to host dinner parties via Zoom. Couples take turns leading each other to make a meal. It’s been easier for us since we have kids and each other. It’s more difficult for friends who don’t have kids or who are empty nesters. They have cabin fever.

Reflections on his kids: It’s Abby’s junior year. It’s supposed to be filled with college pursuits. But the SAT’s are canceled and she’s not able to pursue social activities. My son is in heaven. He can play online games with his friends. He finishes school by 6 p.m. and has his evenings free.

How you can help: You can donate 3D equipment or make a donation by clicking here.