Car-Brand Logos Now Adorn Face Masks And Ventilators

Automobile companies are using their manufacturing expertise to make medical equipment; 3D-printing and car parts come in handy

Worldwide, parts of the production lines that once rolled out cars, luxury saloons, supercars and sports utility vehicles have been modified and are now being used to make medical supplies worldwide. In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and the rapid spread of the infection, has led to a huge shortfall in critical medical supplies at hospitals and in personal protection for frontline workers and the public.

With most of the automobile factories shut around the world, there is an unprecedented number of idle assembly lines.

While an automobile facility is a very complex operation and retooling many of the departments like the weld shop, paint shop and final assembly lines is not possible since they are incapable of being used for the manufacture of any small medical equipment, a few car makers have efficiently converted their 3D-printing, metal casting and plastic moulding capabilities to now manufacture medical equipment such as ventilators, artificial respirators, and surgical masks. American electric vehicles brand Tesla has gone a step further and created prototypes of ventilators that actually use parts that are normally used in its vehicles such as the Model 3 and Model S.