In response to the COVID-19 crisis, MatterHackers developed the Maker Response Hub, a place where the 3D printing community, which was ready to take action, registered their 3D printers to begin making critical supplies for medical facilities in need. When the Hub launched in March, MatterHackers set a goal to deliver 25,000 pieces of 3D printed PPE. With the volunteers’ hustle, effort, and passion, the Hub was able to triple that, delivering 75,235 face shields and PPE components to 181 medical facilities and first responders across the U.S.

Medical facilities and healthcare professionals also registered in the Hub to request specific quantities and types of 3D printed emergency-use supplies that were needed. Their needs were critical:

  • We need these in the thousands, as soon as possible.” - Weill Cornell Medicine
  • When can you send them - my nurses and medical assistants don't have any.” - Fremont Urgent Care
  • We have several orders placed but it doesn't look like anything will be available in time. Your help is invaluable to our efforts.” - Children's Hospital in Ohio

With the requests piling in from hospitals, the Maker Response Hub launched targeted Responses to the list of over 5,000 registered volunteers who had access to over 12,000 3D printers to fulfill those requests in a quick, localized manner. “Making these connections as quickly and efficiently as possible is the entire goal of the Maker Response Hub,” states Mara Hitner, Director of Business Development at MatterHackers. “If we can supply even just one medical professional with life-saving equipment, it will have all been worth it.”

Thank you to all the Maker Response Hub Volunteers
Thank you to all the Maker Response Hub Volunteers

Together, with the hard work and dedication from the volunteers, the Maker Response Hub community was able to exceed all expectations. “We couldn’t be more proud of how the 3D printing community as a whole rallied around the Maker Response Hub,” elates Dave Gaylord, Director of Product at MatterHackers, adding that “I  knew everyone wanted to help and be part of the solution, and that MatterHackers could uniquely initiate the distribution of the community efforts efficiently and ensuring that the hard work put into making 3D printed parts was delivered into the hands of the people that needed it most.”

Los Angeles first responders using Maker Response Hub 3D printed PPE
Los Angeles first responders using Maker Response Hub 3D printed PPE

The Hub was created to use the tools we have to help those in need. Whether it’s healthcare professionals and first responders on the front lines fighting a pandemic, relief efforts toward natural disasters, or even supplying educational tools to underserved classrooms, the Maker Response Hub is a philanthropic manufacturing solution for good, powered by you.


You can still sign up for the Maker Response Hub to participate in future Responses. To learn more and to sign up today, click here.

The pros at Montefiore Medical Center using 3D printed face shields made by the Maker Response Hub
The pros at Montefiore Medical Center using 3D printed face shields made by the Maker Response Hub