by Xinhua Writer Hu Tao
BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Professionals from a leading Chinese plane maker have injected aviation technologies into the design and making of an automated face mask machine to support the country's novel coronavirus epidemic fight.
The fully automated face mask making machine has been developed by the AVIC Manufacturing Technology Institute (AVIC MTI) within only 16 days, capable of churning out up to 140,000 face masks a day, or around 100 per minute.
"Face masks are among the most urgently needed epidemic prevention gears. We tried our utmost and used all available resources to support the nationwide epidemic fight," said Li Zhiqiang, president of the AVIC MTI who is also chief director of this project.
The first batch of machines has been delivered to customers, Li said, adding that by the end of this month, a total of 24 such machines will have been put into use, capable of making around 3 million face masks daily.
RACING AGAINST TIME
It was an unexpected mission for Li and his team of aviation professionals in the AVIC MTI, a comprehensive research institute which specializes in aviation-oriented advanced manufacturing technologies, materials and equipment.
"The first thing I did after receiving the task was typing three words into my mobile search engine: mask making machine," Li said, admitting that he had barely known anything about face mask machine.
Of course, it was a completely new field for this expert who had devoted more than three decades to aero-engine titanium alloys.
This time, he and his team are facing a new challenge of developing a machine to make face masks with materials such as melt-blown nonwovens and non-woven fabric.
Within four hours, however, they completed evaluating the project, building the team, and investigating the supply chain.
Then, the AVIC, the parent company, quickly coordinated the supporting teams from the corporation's nationwide subordinate companies, which could contribute their expertise to the project.
In only 16 days, the AVIC MTI together with seven other member companies of the AVIC realized the whole process of developing the machine: design, manufacturing, assembly, debugging and trial production.
"When the first face mask rolled off the machine, we were extremely excited, just like witnessing the maiden flight of planes," Li recalled.
CONFIDENCE FROM COMPETENCE
Chinese aviation professionals of the team integrated technologies and experience from developing aviation equipment into the face mask making machine, such as ultrasonic welding technology, modular design and precise temperature control.
"Face masks are time-sensitive products now. The country and people are in urgent need of them," said Sun Nianjun, deputy chief engineer with the AVIC MTI and chief engineer of the face mask machine project.
In his eyes, the face masks are not simply connections of several layers of fabrics, but protective equipment that safeguard medics and citizens alike in everyday work and life.
"The development team adopted multiple techniques which we apply in aerospace manufacturing. The aviation-quality design and manufacturing will ensure the stable and efficient operation of the face mask machines," Sun said.
For example, ultrasonic welding technology and precise temperature control ensure the firm melting of multiple layers of the mask. And the modular design allows the mask plants to easily organize production and conduct maintenance works.
"Besides the medical and daily usages, the nationwide resumption of factories and schools also brings huge demands for masks. We must make our machines work smoothly and effectively," Sun added.
In the early stages of the outbreak of the COVID-19, there were dire shortages of face masks and other epidemic prevention supplies.
Thanks to nationwide unremitting efforts, the production of medical material has been rapidly improved by resuming production and increasing capacity.
"Where there is a need from our nation, we will strive to contribute. It is time for the aviation industry to pay off the country's decades of cultivation, with our competence and confidence," Li said.
