In keeping with safety precautions due to COVID-19, Kent State University at Tuscarawas Engineering Technology Program Director Paul Dykshoorn and Senior Electronic Technician Rick Thomas, have designed and installed privacy shields across the campus in preparation for Fall Semester.
Dykshoorn was first asked to 3D print a bracket to hold a plexiglass desktop shield for the business area in May. In all, about 50 brackets were printed for various locations on campus.
“In developing the bracket, I determined other areas would need the privacy shields as well, so Rick and I developed a design that could be used in multiple areas,” said Dykshoorn. “By mid-June, I was tasked with providing the designs for privacy shields across the campus.”
Dykshoorn discovered that some areas were better suited for privacy shields suspended from the ceiling instead of desktop shields. After determining which type of shield to use and the shield size for each location, Dykshoorn and Thomas began working to install shields across the campus.
“The challenge was maximizing the use of each 4’ x 8’ sheet of plastic, but at the same time designing each shield for its unique location,” said Dykshoorn. “This was further acerbated by the fact that the material wasn’t consistent, as Kent could only supply us with whatever material they had available. But the Kent carpentry shop was able to supply us with the requested sizes within 24 hours of our order.”
Dykshoorn and Thomas have erected over 50 privacy shields across the Kent State Tuscarawas campus.