In March 2020, Battelle fast tracked interfacing and built their Battelle CCDSTM . During this time Battelle were also using their Instron system to perform mechanical tests on N95 respirators and were in the process of upgrading the software on their Instron systems. Instron provided a quick response for these upgrades, so Battelle could quickly resume the critical testing of N95 respirators.
SMTL at Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend Wales, encountered a problem with their Instron 3345 system that was testing PPE for the staff at the hospital. They had a temporary fix, but the system wasn’t stable enough for the continuous testing of medical gloves that the hospital needed to keep their healthcare workers safe during the escalating COVID-19 crisis.