Cummins partnered with healthcare and tech product manufacturer 3M recently to make high efficiency particulate filters for use in 3M’s Powered Air Purifying Respirators, or PAPRs. The company announced earlier this month it hoped to start producing those filters by the end of April.
The powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) are important safety equipment for front-line healthcare workers responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Cummins announced that the partnership has the potential to more than double the current production of filters for 3M’s PAPRs.
PAPRs use a battery-powered blower that sends filtered air into a hood or head top that covers the wearer’s head or face. The respirators can provide increased levels of respiratory protection, especially for critical healthcare situations such as aerosol generating procedures. According to Cummins, PAPRs may aCulso be more comfortable to wear for those who need respiratory protection for long periods of time.
The additional filters Cummins makes could help to meet a surge in demand for personal protective equipment due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Cummins has been striving to find ways to help during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Tom Linebarger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cummins. “Working with 3M, we discovered our technologies and manufacturing expertise could be relevant as we partner in new ways to help protect healthcare professionals.”
Cummins will use its workforce and existing equipment at its Neillsville, Wisconsin facility to pleat the media, assemble it into cartridge housings and do final testing before shipping the filters to Valley, Nebraska, where 3M’s PAPRs are manufactured.
“3M continues to work around the clock to get personal protective equipment, including PAPRs, to the heroic healthcare workers and first responders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight,” said Mike Roman, 3M Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
Cummins’ Filtration business designs, manufactures and sells air, fuel, hydraulic and lube filtration, as well as chemical technology products for diesel and gas-powered equipment.
