Current FIA WEC championship leaders Aston Martin are the latest outfit to focus their production efforts towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The British marque is working together with Multimatic and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to produce and deliver a new device for intensive care staff, as well as producing protective visors and gowns and offering emergency vehicle repairs to local NHS staff.
Aston Martin and Multimatic are aiding the MTC in the development and production of a respiratory protection device for use during intubation and extubation procedures, which are some of the most hazardous procedures for intensive care staff tending to COVID-19 patients.
The new intubation shield is in essence a Perspex box that goes over a patient’s upper body during procedures, protecting the medical staff but also allowing them the access they need to the patient.
Aston Marin and Multimatic have assisted the MTC by creating a tool that ensures the Perspex component can be made in one piecem which allows for space saving and a higher production rate.
The sportscar maker is also utilising its cutting machines at its Gaydon production facility to cut out the silicone components that are used in the assembly of the box. These machines are normally used to cut leather shapes for the interior of its cars.
“The local community is very important to Aston Martin so we are delighted to be able to help our local hospitals,” said Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and CEO. “The frontline NHS workers are protecting us from Covid-19 so we want to do what we can to try to protect them by supplying visors and gowns. Times of crisis are also times of great innovation and we are delighted to be working with Multimatic and the MTC to produce the intubation shield for the intensive care staff. Everyone we approached stepped up without hesitation and they should all be proud.”
In addition to the work with Multimatic and MTC, Aston Martin is working with Warwick Hospital to develop a protective visor that meets the NHS infection control guidelines, which will be 3D-printed at Gaydon at a prospective rate of 150 pieces a week.
It will also be producing protective gowns after a direct request from local hospitals. The company has since submitted a sample gown to the NHS and aims to start production on the gowns next week.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin Works, the company’s heritage divisio based in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, are running a scheme to offer emergency vehicle repairs to NHS staff at the nearby Milton Keynes University Hospital.
The service is currently averaging two repairs a day on issues like punctures or brake pad replacements. The NHS staff only have to pay for the used parts, which are sourced at significantly discounted rates from local parts suppliers.
“At this critical time for the NHS, we want to try to do our bit to keep the vital key workers of Milton Keynes hospital on the road if we possibly can,” said Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works.
“All the Works team members involved in the project are offering their skills on a voluntary basis, and they are thrilled to be able to give something back to the NHS at this time of unprecedented pressure on hospital staff.”
