State officials will pickup 381 headbands created by Upper Cumberland 3D printers just after 1pm Tuesday.
The headbands will be used to create medical masks to be used by health officials during the coronavirus outbreak. The printers created the headbands that wrap around your head, much like those on a pair of safety goggles.
Tennessee Tech led the initiative with its multiple 3D printers. STEM educators in Clay, Jackson, Overton and Putnam Counties also joined the effort.
“It’s a way we can all help,” Tennessee Tech Professor Michael Aikens said. “When people heard about it, they started calling offering their printers.”
Aikens said five manufacturers offered their 3D printer to assist in additional headbands in the coming days.
The printers use plastic to create the headbands based on models distributed by the governors office. A state plane will pick up the headbands Tuesday from the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport.