MIDDLEBORO, MA – When Rich Oakley founded BoroBot in 2018 in the old Green School building, he envisioned a tech-focused makerspace that allowed local students and curious adults to get hands-on experience with new technology. Now, with the help of donations from the local community, the non-profit has shifted gears from 3D printing courses and design support to creating and distributing much-needed medical equipment for South Shore healthcare workers, including those at Heights Crossing Assisted Living Community in Brockton.
“Like so many other organizations, we really just looked around at what was happening and said ‘how can we help?’” said Oakley.
After learning about the shortage of PPE facing first responders and healthcare workers, the team at BoroBot focused on 3D printed plastic face shields based on a design by Czech printing company Prusa.
Oakley credits his team’s ability to produce the face shields so quickly to the overwhelming support of the local community and the tireless work of a small core group of volunteers. Monetary contributions to their work, as well as donations of filament and other materials needed to produce the shields, allowed them to ramp up their production when it was needed most.
“We are so grateful for Rich and the team at BoroBot for their generous donation of face shields for our wellness and caregiving team,” said Kathy Hermanson, Assistant Executive Director at Heights Crossing. “These face shields will help us keep our residents, and community, safe.”