AMAP Sunderland Develops Laser Cut Door Opening Devices to Prevent Coronavirus Spread

A team of engineers at the University of Sunderland’s Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) have come up with some clever products designed to help prevent the spread of Covid 19.

The laser cut gadgets allow people to open doors without having to touch handles with their hands. The designs have been created initially to support a local care home provider for which AMAP are making 600 pieces using the University’s Trotec Speedy 400 laser cutter.

Roger O’Brien, Head of AMAP said: “We are cutting these free of charge and only asking that material cost is covered, or materials are sent to us and we will cut. They could be cut in a range of materials.

“These handles attach to a lanyard and avoid touching door handles. One of our colleagues also pointed out that a pair could even be used to push a supermarket trolley!”

The AMAP team have shared their design and artwork files for others to use non-commercially if they would like to also support the efforts of preventing the spread of the coronavirus within their communities. The files can be easily resized and adapted for different door types and handle sizes.

In addition to the acrylic door openers manufactured using the Speedy 400 laser cutter, the team at AMAP have also developed a slightly different 3D printed design which can also be attached to doors to make it easier to open doors with a forearm.

AMAP is part of the University of Sunderland’s Faculty of Technology which combines expertise across the automotive and manufacturing sectors.

To download the design files, visit https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4229794

For more information about Trotec laser systems, visit www.troteclaserco.uk.

To find out more about AMAP’s project, visit https://www.troteclaser.com/en-gb/news/2020-sunderland-university-covid-19/