These are unprecedented times and many people and businesses are needing to switch gears and adapt. Last month we found a way to use our existing equipment to manufacture acrylic shields to meet the demand for personal protection.
With the cases of COVID-19 growing, we realized the need for people to limit contact with a physical barrier when face to face transactions are necessary. Our sign department has a CNC router/cutter for cutting acrylic signs and other custom shaped products. It was relatively easy to come up with a design to offer protection that could be produced quickly in house. The shields caught on quickly and have been installed at local hospitals for patient check-in counters and other areas. Car dealerships and financial institutions have also purchased the shields to limit personal contact during in-person meetings. Click
here to see a news story on KCRG-TV9 that featured these shields.
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County Auditors using protective panels[/caption]
Another application gaining popularity is with County Auditors looking for a solution to protect voters and poll workers in the upcoming Iowa June Primary and November General Elections. The pass-through window allows for ballot and ID information to be passed to the voter while maintaining a physical barrier between poll worker and voter. The convenient size and portability allow for easy transport and set up at any location. Jones County Auditor Janine Sulzner states, “We were looking for something that would allow us to offer protection for our voters and workers in the upcoming elections. These shields provide a simple and easy solution. The portability and storage of these shields is also very appealing.”
We have produced over 350 shields to date. The acrylic is cut on a Zund G3-2500M which was installed in July, 2018. The standard shield size of 24"x36" has a pass-through window of 11” x 4” and can be produced at a rate of approximately 20/hour. Other custom sizes have also been produced.
We are fortunate to have the ability to adapt and change our production capabilities to meet customer demand. Our traditional print and graphics business has slowed down because of the COVID-19 situation. We are glad to be able to react quickly and provide a solution to help protect people during this pandemic.
For more information, please contact us at 319-626-3700 or printing@alphagraphics.com.