CARLSBAD, CA, May 7, 2020 – FORECAST 3D, a GKN Powder Metallurgy company, has partnered with Abiogenix, Fathom, and HP to produce nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs for use in COVID-19 test kits. FORECAST 3D can currently mass produce 35,000 swabs per day using HP’s industrial-grade Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology. FORECAST 3D expects to be able to mass produce 100,000+ swabs per day within 2-3 weeks.
For initial diagnostic testing for COVID-19, CDC recommends collecting and testing an upper respiratory nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal specimen. The nasopharyngeal Abiogenix spiral swab design was selected from 150 designs evaluated in expedited clinical tests. The swab designs were evaluated for patient sensitivity, ability to collect sufficient viral fluid, comfort, and breakpoint reliability.
The nasopharyngeal Abiogenix spiral swab design, selected from over 150 designs in clinical tests, was evaluated for patient sensitivity, ability to collect sufficient viral fluid, comfort and breakpoint reliability.
“We are proud to be doing our part to help provide critical supplies to help healthcare workers fight COVID-19 and get the country up and running again,” said Ken Burns, Commercial Vice President at FORECAST 3D. “One of the benefits of additive manufacturing is its ability to quickly adapt to emerging needs. Once Abiogenix selected a preferred design, the Additive Manufacturing industry, including both FORECAST 3D and FATHOM, accelerated production on these much-needed supplies.”
The swabs are now available in bulk to healthcare and testing facilities nationwide. For more information or to place an order, visit https://www.forecast3d.com/services/nasopharyngeal-swabs.
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ABOUT FORECAST 3D:
For more than 25 years, FORECAST 3D has 3D printed and machined parts for industries ranging from healthcare to aerospace to consumer goods. With in-house engineering and additive manufacturing, CNC and injection molding capabilities, FORECAST works with customers at every stage of the product lifecycle, from design to prototyping to production. The company has the largest additive manufacturing capacity in the U.S., with over 50 machines, and can print as many as 10,000 production parts per day for customers – or as few as one. FORECAST 3D is a GKN Powder Metallurgy company and part of the HP Digital Manufacturers Network.
For more information, visit www.forecast3d.com.
ABOUT GKN Powder Metallurgy:
GKN Powder Metallurgy is a full metal shapes solutions provider, shaping powder metal into high performance and high precision components. It provides leading powder metal expertise and process experience to transform ideas into production. The company consists of GKN Hoeganaes, GKN Sinter Metals, and GKN Additive to provide powder materials, conventional components, and Additive Manufacturing production. The company combines three focused businesses under one brand. Together it employs over 7,400 problem solvers over 30 locations, setting its global engineering network at the highest standard.
ABOUT Abiogenix:
Abiogenix is a medical device company that is focused on improving physical and mental health. Our flagship product is the uBox (www.my-pills.com), a smart pillbox and associated app, with other connected medication management devices in development. To learn more visit www.abiogenix.com
ABOUT HP:
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of products and services of personal systems, printers and 3D printing solutions, we create amazing experiences. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Dawn Werry at 804-495-1459 or email dawn@forecast3d.com.