From Coast to Coast, Northrop Grumman Employees Step Up to Support Those on the Front Line

Northrop Grumman employees from every sector around the world have continued to step up to join the fight against COVID-19, using their ingenuity and engineering expertise to support healthcare workers on the front line against this invisible enemy.

Aaron Dolgin, a communications system engineer based in Redondo Beach, California, became involved through his mentorship of a local high school robotics team. When the pandemic hit during the team’s competition season, the students started using personal 3D printers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE). To date, they’ve produced 4,600 face shields which have been delivered to more than 50 southern California medical centers, as well as other states and even Africa.

In nearby El Segundo, California, NG Fellow Eric Barnes is coordinating with the Additive Manufacturing Community of Practice (CoP), teaming up with company FabLabs to deliver approximately 500 face shields to hospitals and clinics. The Additive Manufacturing CoP shares best practices on 3D-printing efforts. Combining the outputs of 12 machines across three states and five sites, Eric and his team have worked together to ensure final assembly and delivery of the face shields.

Systems Engineering employee Brent Bateman, based out of the company’s Woodland Hills, California, office, has been 3D printing face mask holders to help his local community of Moorpark. “We have printed more than 2,000 mask holders so far and have distributed them to local medical professionals, including emergency room workers, physical therapists and pediatricians,” said Brent. The story has made such an impact to the local community that he and his family were featured in a local news story.

In Baltimore, Maryland, Northrop Grumman employees Jacob Darling, Charlie Gosnell, Anna Sailor, Ryan Szabo and Nolan Hoolachan are 3D-printing face shields for hospital workers. They are one of several Northrop Grumman additive manufacturing teams who have banded together to maximize production, creating as many as 500 face shields per week. They are even able to fabricate the clear face shield portion in-house, allowing them to send completed shields directly to those in need.

Over in Chandler, Arizona, Additive Manufacturing lead Brigham Bach, and his team have also jumped into action. Together, they produced 400 face shields for Valleywise Community Health Center, which distributes them to local hospitals. Another 500 additional shields will go to Banner Health, the largest hospital group in Phoenix.

Northrop Grumman contractor Marcos Garciaacosta, also located in Chandler, put his mechanical engineering skills to work laser-cutting face shields and other PPE.

“At some point, all the negative news makes you feel bad,” said Marcos. “I thought, if I’m an engineer and I can’t help somehow, then I should probably reconsider what I’m doing, because I clearly have skills that I can use.”

Engineering Technician Tom Minnick, based in Sykesville, Maryland, is printing 3D face shields in his home and sending them to his local state hospitals. Tom sets his alarm for the middle of the night so that he can handle overnight “material changeovers.” He has two 3D printers running 24/7 in his home.

“This is a unique opportunity where I can apply my knowledge and skills to make a difference,” Tom said. “I saw this as a call to action, and I am doing my best to try to answer that call. The healthcare workers and those who are on the front lines every day are the ones who truly deserve the recognition.”