An English Proverb states that necessity is the mother of invention, and in these trying times, an Aeronautical Center employee is stepping up to meet the needs of our nation’s medical professionals. Tai Le, a Surface Surveillance Systems Engineer (AJW-148) has found an innovative way to promote safety.
He is volunteering the use of his personal 3D printer to produce much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the healthcare community during this pandemic. Le is printing and donating facemasks and face-shields to medical facilities. His intent is to extend the current inventory of medical supplies.
His innovation makes sense, especially in the case where certain supplies are running low, due to increased demand. He has devised a face mask that uses a small cage, through which – pieces of – an N95 filter can be inserted. Instead of using one whole mask, he has proposed the idea of cutting the filters into sections to get 3 or 4 times the use out one single mask.
He has posed his designs and solutions to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City and has sent some to other facilities, including one in Indiana for evaluation and possible implementation. "I’m just doing my part to protect those who are saving others. We may need them to save our friends and families," says Le. The printed parts of the mask can be sterilized for repeated use. He has also printed a headband that holds a face shield, which can be replaced after use. He continues, "We are in a time when we need to be innovative, to stretch our current inventory level and supply chain."
Extending the function of certain parts is not a new concept. Le compared the need for medical supplies to that of refurbishing FAA equipment. "It’s the same thing we do on a day-to-day basis," he says. Regarding upgrades to radar equipment, once a part is replaced, the old part can be used on another system (in a different location) to get by - until it can also be upgraded. Le explains, "That’s what makes us so great. We can naturally adapt to variables and changes as they happen."
Le’s family emigrated from Vietnam to the U.S. in the late 1980’s, and he attended West Moore Public Schools. He then went on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Mechanical Engineering (Robotics and Control Systems). Le reflects, "I worked for a few years at an engine remanufacturing company in Dallas, TX. I’ve always been into cars, so it was a great opportunity and learning experience." After moving back to Oklahoma to be closer to family, he found an engineering job at Tinker Air Force Base, which gave him experience in production science, acquisition, and supply chain management.
Later, he took a job at the FAA’s Aeronautical Center as a process engineer for the Logistics Center Support System (LCSS). Le helped to integrate the supply chain IT system and business process. He soon became the business architect for the platform. In that position, he collaborated with Second Level Engineering field support personnel, and was given an opportunity to transition to their section (AJW-148). "It has been a great professional opportunity for me, to see another aspect of what keeps the National Airspace System (NAS) safe – another cog in the FAA’s enterprise," Le says. His work currently supports sustaining, modifying/upgrading, and deploying several surveillance systems.
About ten years ago, Le built his first 3D printer. At that time, the technology was still being developed for personal use, and it was very cumbersome. But like all things, the rate of technology advancement eventually caught up. He now has three 3D printers (including the one he built initially). Le has been following the COVID-19 pandemic since it began, and saw through forums and other social media venues, that people were printing items and doing what they could to help. He was eager to lend a hand with his equipment as well.
Le could see (from the trend of other countries that experienced this before us) that it is vital for everyone to pitch in and do what they can to help. He applied his mechanical engineering knowledge and expertise to find solutions to supply problems. He has seen people print respirator components as well as specialized equipment items that are in short supply. Le reflects, "The main reason I have the passion to help is because this country has provided my family so much opportunity, that I feel it is important to give back. I am able to live my American dream because of this country, so I am going to do my part to pitch in and help."
Le is continually printing face shields and face masks. While waiting for medical facilities to accept his products, he is donating them to the elderly and trying to get them to our most vulnerable populations. For each of his printers, it takes about four hours to produce a face mask. He can also make about five brim shield kits in an hour as well.
Le already has a reputation for giving back. For several years now, he volunteers his time every summer to help middle school students understand coding and robotics during the Aeronautical Center’s Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camp. It is refreshing to see people like Tai Le stepping up to lend a hand in this time of great need. He is a valuable employee, who brings credit to the FAA and to our country.
