A worker produces face masks at a factory in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province on Tuesday. Local government has encouraged enterprises to produce masks as China fights the epidemic. Photo: cnsphoto

Professionals from a leading Chinese plane maker have incorporated aviation technologies into the design and manufacturing of an automated face mask machine to support the country's fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic.

The fully automated face mask machine was developed by the AVIC Manufacturing Technology Institute (AVIC MTI) within just 16 days, and is 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 materials. We tried our utmost and used all available resources to support the nationwide epidemic fight," said Li Zhiqiang, president of the AVIC MTI and chief director of the 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 and will be capable of making around 3 million face masks daily.


Race against time

It was an unexpected mission for Li and his team of aviation professionals at 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 to type three words into my mobile search engine: mask making machine," Li said, admitting that he had barely known anything about face mask machines.

Of course, it was a completely new field for this expert who has devoted more than three decades to aero-engine titanium alloys.

Now, he and his team are facing the challenge of developing a machine to make face masks using materials such as melt-blown non-woven fabric.

Within four hours, however, they had completed their evaluation of the project, built their team and investigated the supply chain.

 Parent company AVIC then quickly coordinated supporting teams from the corporation's nationwide subordinate companies which could contribute their expertise to the project.

In just 16 days, AVIC MTI together with seven other AVIC companies realized the entire process of developing the machine: design, manufacturing, assembly, debugging and trial production.

"When the first face mask rolled out of the machine, we were extremely excited, just like we had witnessed a plane's maiden flight," Li recalled.


Confidence from competence

The team's aviation professionals used technologies and experience from their development of aviation equipment, like ultrasonic welding technology, modular design and precise temperature control, integrating them into the face mask machine.

"Face masks are time-sensitive products now. The country and people are in urgent need of them," said Sun Nianjun, AVIC MTI's deputy chief engineer and chief engineer of the face mask machine project.

In his eyes, face masks are not simply many layers of fabric, but are protective equipment safeguarding medics and ordinary people 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 masks' multiple layers. And the machine's modular design allows mask plants to easily organize production and conduct maintenance work.

Besides medical and daily usages, the nationwide resumption of factories and schools has also brought huge demand for masks. We must make our machines work smoothly and effectively," Sun added.

In the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, there were dire shortages of face masks and other epidemic prevention supplies.

Thanks to unremitting nationwide efforts, the production of medical supplies has been rapidly improved by resuming production and increasing capacity. "Where there is need from our nation, we will strive to contribute. It is time for the aviation industry to repay the country for decades of support, with our competence and confidence."