Aston Martin's Initiative
Aston Martin has joined the campaign to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to the National Health Service (NHS) staff on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The British luxury car manufacturer is developing respiratory protective devices, masks, and protective gowns.
Medical Procedures During the Pandemic
The intubation and extubation procedures for COVID-19 patients are among the riskiest medical procedures for intensive care staff. Therefore, there is an ongoing effort to enhance safety measures during the operation of respiratory devices.
Collaboration with the Manufacturing Technology Centre
Through collaboration with Multimatic, a project partner, Aston Martin is assisting the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in producing and improving a new respiratory protective device. The protective hood used during intubation is an acrylic box placed over the top of the patient's body during the connection of breathing devices, aimed at safeguarding medical personnel and allowing safe access to the patient.
Design of the Acrylic Box
The support provided by Aston Martin and Multimatic to the MTC includes the design and implementation of a special tool to produce the acrylic box in a single piece, enabling stacking of boxes to occupy less space in crowded hospital intensive care units.
This also allows the center to deliver the boxes at a pace that aligns with the current demand levels required by the NHS. Aston Martin is utilizing its state-of-the-art cutting machines at its Gaydon facility, typically used for cutting intricate leather shapes for sports car interiors, to cut the silicone components used in assembling the protective boxes.
This entirely new design was prepared within a few days and is currently being tested at the Royal London Hospital.
Production of Protective Masks
Furthermore, the leading British company will soon use 3D printing technology to produce 150 protective masks weekly. The Aston Martin design team is collaborating with the local Warwick Hospital to develop a protective mask that complies with the infection prevention guidelines set by the NHS.
The company hopes to produce the first batch of these masks next week, which will be manufactured at the Aston Martin design studio in Gaydon by volunteer staff adhering to government social distancing guidelines. The first batch will be loaded into a practical Aston Martin DBX and delivered directly following the Easter celebrations.
Meeting Hospital Needs
On another note, Aston Martin's headquarters in Warwickshire received a direct request from local hospital procurement departments to supply protective gowns. After sourcing the necessary materials, the company provided a sample of the gown to the NHS to begin production next week.
With the capability to produce 750 protective gowns per week (depending on material availability) at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon and Warwickshire, the company hopes to make a real difference for frontline staff in local hospitals as soon as possible.
Emergency Repair Services
Meanwhile, volunteer technicians and back-office staff from Aston Martin's Special Operations division at the renowned manufacturing center in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, are preparing a work schedule to offer emergency repair services for NHS staff vehicles at the nearby Milton Keynes University Hospital.
Details of Repair Services
The free repair services, which were launched at the end of March, include two daily emergency repair services for common issues ranging from tire punctures to dashboard warning light problems, as well as brake pad replacements.
NHS staff will only cover the cost of the parts being replaced, which are procured at discounted prices from local parts suppliers.
