Скачать или смотреть Taiwan factory ramps up production of mask-making machines for export

Machines that make face masks are in high demand as the world grapples with COVID-19. One machine-making factory in New Taipei’s Yingge District says it’s already received orders from 13 countries. Working around the clock, technicians have increased output by up to 700% to help other countries tackle the epidemic. The technician is laser-focused as he lowers the drill into the metal stand.This technician assembles the parts and screws them tight. Each part of the process is done entirely by hand.Lee Wen-koFTV reporterEach mask-making machine is made up of over 1,000 components. These parts require high-precision assembly to ensure that each machine is 99% defect-free. As you can see, there are many workers here. They have to assemble everything by hand.It typically takes two to three weeks to build one machine. But these days, technicians working round the clock are completing one machine every two to three days. Amid the pandemic, they’re scrambling to keep pace with demand for these life-saving machines.Hsiao Hung-pinMachinery company CEODomestic orders have increased roughly fivefold. Foreign orders have gone up by about twofold or threefold.This machinery producer in New Taipei’s Yingge District has been operating for over 20 years. It specializes in mask-making machines. Earlier on in the outbreak, this factory put together 37 mask-making machines on government commission. Now it’s assembling machines for buyers across the world, including Russia, New Zealand, and the U.S.Last week, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shared a video of a mask production line on social media. One detail in the video caught the attention of sharp-eyed Taiwanese – a phone number on a machine that starts with +886, the country dial code for Taiwan. It’s one of the made-in-Taiwan mask machines hard at work on the other side of the world. The machine’s builders say that’s a source of pride.Mr. ChaoMask machine technicianYesterday was my 45th wedding anniversary but I came to work anyway. For the sake of public health we need more masks, so I’m striving to make more machines.Chou Chien-hungMask machine technicianOur boss is very understanding, because I’ve just had a child and he was going to let me take some time off. But I still wanted to contribute to the company. I’ve only held my son once so far, but I’ve been holding machines all week long.From top to bottom, everyone at this factory is hard at work. Even the CEO is on his feet each day, racing to keep parts coming and production stable. One complication has been an ultrasound welding component that’s doubled or even quadrupled in price amid soaring demand.Hsiao Hung-pinMachinery company CEOChina is also rushing to make machines. They don’t have enough parts in China, so they turned to Taiwan and bought them all. That’s resulted in pricier parts and an increase in our production costs.Taiwan is producing mask-making machines at full steam and orders rush in from overseas. The international demand has given a much-needed boost to the domestic economy.