The Royal Mint, usually known for making coins, bullion and gifts, has a state of the art manufacturing facility in Llantrisant. Engineers at the site found a rudimentary design for a medical visor online and began developing high specification prototypes – turning the concept into an approved design in just 48 hours. In addition, The Royal Mint has been supplying the local NHS with other essential PPE equipment from its stores and offering project management support.
The visors will initially be made available to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Wales, but The Royal Mint says it can produce thousands per day, subject to securing enough raw components.
It is now appealing for manufacturers across the UK to help source 1.0 mm PET clear plastic which is currently in low supply, and they can be contacted at: visors@royalmint.com
Leighton John, director of operations for The Royal Mint said: “My sister works for the NHS and it really focuses your mind on the challenges they are facing, and the opportunity we have to support them.
“On Wednesday [25] at 9 am we knew nothing about medical visors, but we set our engineers the task of developing essential medical equipment which could be easily made on site – within seven hours they’d created a medical visor, and within 48 hours it was approved for mass manufacture. We’ll shortly post the specifications on our website to enable other firms to make them, too.
“We are now developing the production line and urgently calling for help to source 1.0 mm PET clear plastic, which is in low supply across the UK. We believe firms will have this in stock and we’d urge them to get in touch with us so we can continue to support our NHS.”
The Royal Mint has worked with its key suppliers – including Brammer, TJ Morgan and Technical Foam Services – to source the components needed to make the visors.
