This piece was originally published in the May/June 2020 issue of electroindustry.

Several NEMA Members are on the front lines addressing critical infrastructure needs to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic.

ABB ELECTRIFICATION OFFERS FREE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS THROUGHOUT 2020

From remote monitoring and diagnostics for uninterruptible power supplies for critical healthcare applications to energy and building management solutions for utilities and commercial and industrial facilities, ABB Electrification is providing the tools that address critical infrastructure needs.

Through December 31, 2020, ABB Electrification will waive its fee for 12 months for all new subscriptions for its iUPSGuard software for hospitals as well as for all new or renewed subscriptions for its ABB Ability™ software-as-service (SaaS) capabilities.

At the current time, reliable power distribution is especially critical for hospitals and healthcare applications. Read how hospitals can benefit from these cost-free solutions at new.abb.com.

A number of cost-free solutions from the ABB Ability Marketplace TM (superscript) are designed to enhance operational efficiencies and security for businesses remotely. These solutions support facilities in their current efforts to maintain critical operations while minimizing on-site workforces.

Any customers who wish to take advantage of the free-of-charge software solutions should contact their local ABB Electrification sales representatives.

HOLOGIC’S MOLECULAR TEST FOR THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS, SARS-COV-2, RECEIVES FDA EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION

Hologic has created a highly accurate, fully automated test that detects genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus strain, in under three hours.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Emergency Use Authorization for Hologic’s Panther Fusion® SARS-CoV-2 test, which identifies the virus causing COVID-19.

Hologic began research for a new coronavirus test shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak emerged in China. The company’s development and manufacturing teams have worked around the clock to create the test and prepare for its market rollout.

The test was the first COVID-19 diagnostic product to receive development support from the U.S. government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. The agency’s partnership includes nearly $700,000 in funding.

HONEYWELL RAMPS UP PRODUCTION OF N95 MASKS

To address the growing demand for masks  during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, Honeywell is quickly ramping up production and making millions of N95 masks in the United States.

The MITA Member company is expanding manufacturing operations in Phoenix and a factory in Smithfield, Rhode Island, which also produces Uvex safety glasses.

The expansion will allow Honeywell to produce more than 20 million N95 disposable masks monthly, and they will be delivered to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support health, safety, and emergency response workers.

N95 masks provide respiratory protection and “reduce the wearer’s exposure to airborne particles, from small particle aerosols to large droplets,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “N95 respirators are tight-fitting respirators that filter out at least 95 percent of particles in the air, including large and small particles,” Honeywell says.

MEDTRONIC SHARES VENTILATION DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS TO HELP INCRE GLOBAL VENTILATOR PRODUCTION

Medtronic announced it is publicly sharing the design specifications for the Puritan Bennett™ 560 (PB 560) to enable participants across industries to evaluate options for rapid ventilator manufacturing to help doctors and patients dealing with COVID-19. This decision is consistent with the recent Food and Drug Administration guidance and in accordance with the public health and medical response of governmental agencies globally.

This ventilator’s ability to be used in a range of settings, as well as its technology and design, m it a solid ventilation solution for manufacturers inventors, start-ups, and academic institutions seeking to quickly ramp up ventilator design a production. PB 560 product and service manual design requirement documents, manufacturing documents, and schematics are now available at Medtronic.com/openventilator. The PB 560 design specifications are available today; software code and other information will follow shortly.

SIEMENS CONNECTS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND MEDICAL DESIGNERS TO PRODUCE COMPONENTS THROUGH ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Siemens is making its Additive Manufacturing (AM) Network, along with its 3D printers, available to the global medical community to speed design and production of medical components. The AM Network connects users, designers, and 3D-print service providers to en faster and less complicated production of spare parts for machines like ventilators. The Siemen AM network is available globally and covers the entire value chain—from upload and simulation to checking the design up to the printing process associated services.

Starting immediately, doctors, hospitals, and organizations in need of medical devices, as well as designers and service providers with medically certified printing capacities, can register for free access to the Siemens AM Network.

Siemens’ designers and engineers are a part of the AM Network, so they can answer design requests and help convert designs into printable files. Afterward, these components can be printed via medically certified 3D printers of partner companies that are also part of the AM Network. In addition to numerous 3D printers from partner companies, Siemens’ 3D printing machines are also connected to the network and, if suitable, will also be used to locally print components and spare parts for medical devices.

SIEMENS DIGITAL INDUSTRIES RESPONDED TO THE WHITE HOUSE’S CALL TO MAKE ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES MORE ACCESSIBLE

Siemens Digital Industries Software is providing complimentary access to two sets of educational offerings on TechforLearners.org—a searchable online database of education technology tools. The site now features Siemens K-12 and Siemens Higher Ed and Workforce Development software. These professional software and  learning offerings address all aspects of the product development process, including CAD/CAM simulation. Manufacturing, design, and engineering jobs worldwide are currently unfilled because of the growing skills gap. With these tools, students at all educational and experience levels can develop the technical skills needed to prepare for Industry 4.0 through a comprehensive solution of tools, technical expertise, and strong industry collaboration. ei