Through publication of the University of Wisconsin’s open source face shield design, a community of manufacturers of varying sizes has formed, many of which have adapted part of their production line to make these shields. Our goal is to share that information with organizations in need of face shields.
In Need of Face Shields?
Please fill out an intake form on the shield-net page.
There, producers may also add their company to the list of manufacturers.
Manufacturing Resources
If you would like to make face shields, please follow these steps:
[1] Design: Please see the open-source design drawings, list of materials, steps to make, etc. here.
[2] Suppliers of Materials: Contact the suppliers of plastic, foam and elastic we’ve compiled in our Supplier Databases below.
[4] Assembly: We recommend setting up a controlled manufacturing environment that reduces the risk of spreading the virus. For example, regularly wipe down work surfaces with disinfecting wipes, wear gloves, maintain proper social distance between workers, etc. Contact your local hospital and/or look online for more guidance and see our legal disclaimer.
[5] Ship to those in most need:
Reach out to your local / regional hospitals to assess their need and work through their infection control process.
Supplier Resources
PET Sheets
- For the face shield
- Ideally .005-.05″ thick
- Must be transparent
Click here to add your company to our 3mm PET sheets supplier database (solely for contributing material components). If you are manufacturing complete shields, please fill out the intake form.
Foam
- For the forehead rest
Click here to add your company to our foam supplier database (solely for contributing material components). If you are manufacturing complete shields, please fill out the intake form.
Elastic Bands
- Ideally latex free
Click here to add your company to our elastic band supplier database (solely for contributing material components). If you are manufacturing shields, please fill out the intake form.
Legal Disclaimer
This product design and specifications are being provided by the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering as a free service to the community during this public health emergency.
Regulatory Notice
This product has not been cleared for medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The product should only be used during the declared COVID-19 public health emergency if FDA cleared or approved products are unavailable. This product has not been evaluated for the prevention of specific diseases or infections, the filtering of surgical smoke or plumes, the filtering of specific amounts of viruses or bacteria, or the killing or reduction of the amount of viruses, bacteria or fungi. Not recommended for use in a surgical setting where exposure to liquid, bodily or other hazardous fluids may be expected or for use in a clinical setting where infection risk level through inhalation exposure is high. Not recommended for use in the presence of a high intensity heat source or flammable gas. [This product is intended for one-time use by a single user.]
Liability Notice
By using this product, the end user assumes all risks associated with its use, including the voiding of manufacturers’ warranties of devices with which the product is used, and agrees to hold harmless and waive any claims against the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, its officers, employees and agents, and other persons or companies which may have contributed to the design and specifications. EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED BY LAW, NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE OFFERED FOR THE PRODUCT DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Intellectual Property License
Individuals and organizations are free to use, copy, and share this design and specifications, including for commercial manufacture, without payment of any fees or charges, and for the duration of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency only, but may not assert ownership in the design and specifications, ownership of which belongs to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and/or the individuals who created the design.
Notice to Manufacturers
Individuals or organizations that manufacture products utilizing this design and specifications are responsible for any federal or state regulatory requirements that apply to the manufacture of products intended for medical use, and are responsible for informing health care providers to which the product is supplied that they are responsible for decisions regarding appropriate personal protective equipment for their personnel. The distribution or sale of products manufactured using this design and specifications must include the Regulatory Notice and the Liability Notice as set forth above displayed prominently on packaging and marketing materials, as well as any information required by the FDA or other governmental authorities.