Ford has announced that it is manufacturing respirators by using F-150 truck parts to help doctors and hospital staff in combating the coronavirus pandemic.
Ford will be collaborating with 3M to manufacture air-purifying respirators (PAPR) so that doctors and health workers can safeguard themselves from the virus while treating coronavirus patients.
According to Fox News, “the new device incorporates a fan normally used for ventilated F-150 seats, 3M HEPA filters and power tool batteries for portability.
“Ford is looking into the feasibility of manufacturing them at an initial rate of 1,000 units per month at the Advanced Manufacturing Center, where it currently 3D-prints brake parts for the Mustang Shelby GT500, with plans to quickly expand production beyond that number.”
Besides making respirators, Ford will also be producing ‘transparent face shields’ at a rate of 100,000 pieces per week in collaboration with GE healthcare.
The face shields will be effective in protecting health workers from the body fluids of infected persons.
Bill Ford, the executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, revealed that the company is taking these steps on its own without getting enforced by the government.
He said: “We’re doing it on our own. Obviously the White House has put a call out for companies to help but, frankly, we were doing this, getting all this in motion before that.
“We’re so happy to help and we’re going to do absolutely everything we can…We haven’t talked to anybody about any kind of reimbursement or anything like that.”
Many businesses have altered their line of production after the coronavirus has become a global disaster.
Hedley & Bennett, the brand known for producing quality aprons, has also started making surgical masks to combat the pandemic.
Elon Musk also kept his promise and supplied over 1,000 ventilators to California last Monday.
Musk wrote in a tweet: “China had an oversupply, so we bought 1,255 FDA-approved ResMed, Philips & Medtronic ventilators on Friday night & airshipped them to LA.
“If you want a free ventilator installed, please let us know!” Musk tweeted. “Thanks Tesla China team, China Customs Authority & LAX customs for acting so swiftly.”
Even though President Trump has revived the ‘Defense Production Act,’ he himself has opposed the idea of actually activating it.
It’s because the private companies and organizations are already playing their part without any forceful imposition.
However, the administration will be enacting the act to order the production of a sufficient number of coronavirus test kits.
Peter Gaynor, the FEMA Administrator, told CNN on Tuesday: “So, just a little while ago my team came in, and we’re actually going to use the DPA for first time today.”
Replaced!