A private 3D printer turns three JRC colleagues into Covid-19 fighters

Inspired by initiatives from private citizens, JRC colleagues Athanasios Katsogiannis, Alessio Ossola and Antonio Migneco created a working group to make 3D-printed visors for the local Italian healthcare services.

Athanasios Katsogiannis is from Greece. His job is to turn the JRC’s Ispra Site - located in northern Italy - into a modern research site. He is also the President of the JRC Ispra staff committee.

Athanasios was inspired by an article about a private citizen who was using a 3D-printer to create protective gear for medical staff in Lombardy, and he also wanted to do something to help.

And in no time, the "3D visor group" was born.

Using their own personal 3D-printers and spare time, Athanasios Katsogiannis, Alessio Ossola and Antonio Migneco, have financed, produced and donated over 250 protective facial visors to local Italian hospitals and municipalities.

"The initial plan was to donate the visors to one of the local municipalities, but we soon found out that there were many hospitals and institutions in the area who needed such equipment", Athanasios explains.

The group has so far donated the 3D visors to the municipality of Besozzo, the Sacra Famiglia Institution in Coquio Trevisago, the Meina nursing home, the hospitals of Varese, Cittiglio, Angera and Arona, as well as to local doctors in Ispra.

And last but not least, they have also given some visors to the JRC’s own medical service.

"Many colleagues and associations have come forward to help with our initiative, including the local charity association Europa Terzo Mondo. It feels good to be useful during these peculiar times!" Athanasios concludes.

This initiative by the "3D visor group" adds on to the many local solidarity actions from the JRC medical service, the JRC Ispra Site management services, the JRC cultural committee and other groups and individuals across the JRC.