3D Printing Community Rallies to Meet Demand for Protective Equipment 3D PRINTING COMMUNITY RALLIES TO MEET DEMAND AS THE WORLD STRUGGLES WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, A GROUP OF TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES HAS COME TOGETHER TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE MOST URGENT NEEDS. The 3D printing community has worked together to create much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers and first responders. It's a powerful testament to the power of the global community and the growth of the 3D printing industry in recent years. The many grassroots efforts have rallied professional 3D printers, schools, and hobbyists to join in the effort. A quick Google search reveals dozens of stories about local printers creating various PPE items, including face shields, medical face mask parts, and ear savers that reduce pressure on ears from mask straps. "People across the country are running 3D printers around the clock. In basements, workshops, bedrooms, and garages, the web is filled with pictures of individuals churning out personal protective equipment desperately needed by medical professionals on the front lines of a public health catastrophe," noted a recent Bloomberg article [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-22/america-s-garage-hobbyists-fight-the-pandemic-with-3d-printers]. Bloomberg reported there are about 870,000 3D printers in the United States. HOW ARE COMPANIES ORGANIZING 3D PRINTING RESPONSES TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? Companies ...