Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Meanwhile in Spain, people are making faceshields by cutting up plastic bottles. They even stay put because of the curvature of the plastic (no need for any straps), so the results look more practical and useable (cleanable!) than the 3D-printed contraptions some are trying to whip up.
 
Last edited:


Following this weekend's news from Tim Cook that Apple is working with its supply chain to produce a million face shields per week for medical workers, the company has shared a support document outlining how to assemble and adjust the shields.

apple_face_shield_parts.jpg

The document includes a series of images and animations showing how the simple three-piece product can be assembled for either a regular fit or with extra space between the user's face and the shield, and then how the latex-free silicone strap should be threaded to secure the shield and forehead band together and around the user's head.

Apple includes a video of the assembly process, as well as instructions for use and for sterilizing and reusing shields. There's also a printable PDF of the instruction sheet that comes in the box with the shields. The paper copy includes a link and a QR code to make it easy to get to the online instructions, as well as an email support contact for those needing assistance with their shields.

Cook said in his video announcement about the new face shields that they can be packed flat with 100 units per box.

(Thanks, Petter!)

Article Link: Apple Shares Assembly and Use Instructions for New Face Shields, Shipping 1 Million Per Week to Medical Workers

If this sketch is accurate, it appears to have 20 USB-C ports. If so, they finally got a "Pro" model right. Way to go, Apple!
 
1 milion per week? With Apple's production capacity and logistics they could be able to output 1 million per day. I doubt if the production costs for a box of 100 units is more than 10 bugs, which leave us with the fact that the effort Apple is making is ridicually small considering the fortune they are holding in their hands.

And as we are all painfully aware, given Apple's recent software QA record, they have plenty of bugs to spare.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PC_tech
It's not Apple making these, it's the OEMs that Apple use that are making them, and could have done it even if Apple wasn't involved. It's not a criticism, but Apple don't manufacture anything as far as I'm aware, much less medical equipment.
Except Apple is the OEM. Many manufacturers outsource manufacturing production. But that doesn’t mean they’re not the OEM. The contract manufacturer is not the OEM.

But sure, others could do what Apple did. Not so many are willing to fund the project from initial design through delivery to end users. Apple was, and yet they get crapped on for it 🙄 🤯
[automerge]1586324982[/automerge]
I guess he didn’t like the name?
Presumably, but that is what they’re called. It’s like getting mad at marketing for calling a power adapter a power adapter.

Maybe he meant marketing should have gotten involved. Then we at least could have had a Magic FaceShield (TM) 😂
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: phenste
1 milion per week? With Apple's production capacity and logistics they could be able to output 1 million per day. I doubt if the production costs for a box of 100 units is more than 10 bugs, which leave us with the fact that the effort Apple is making is ridicually small considering the fortune they are holding in their hands. I honesly beleive that Apple should dedicated more resources and more effort into helping in this crisis (consider it marketing expenditures).
[automerge]1586280955[/automerge]

Actually, there are many companies, much smaller than Apple that made many donations including masks and protective gear. Alibaba send a plane to Spain last week full of medical gear with 1,5 million masks and other equipment. And there are hundreds of additional examples if you have to time to google it. Apple should make more effort and bring more cash to the table.
[automerge]1586281077[/automerge]

The important point is who is paying the bill. 1 million shields per week is something is FAR FAR from being great.
Every time I think I have read the dumbest comment on macrumors someone says “hold my beer”.
 
This is an example on how to recognize negativity expressed just for negativity's sake.
You are comparing Alibaba sending "1.5M masks and other equipment" with Apple's 1M/week face masks. Apple is producing the face shields, Alibaba is not. That is, Apple is using its entire production chain, supply chain, and administration to create, categorize, and move the items. Alibaba is taking care mostly of the latter part of the equation. In addition, you are comparing 1.5M masks with face shields. These are two different things; they require different materials, different production, and even different packaging. It's much more difficult to produce a face shield. Many companies are doing great things, and this includes Alibaba, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and such. Posts like yours are concerning as they lack common sense in evaluating and comparing the topics at hand.
Pardonme? Producing a mask requires in most cases hand work. Apple has created a face shield that is actually quite easy to manufacture automatically without worker intervention. I live in Spain and there are several small local companies and workshops that output 1 milion masks and faceshields per week. Apple is sitting on 300 bilion dollars pile of cash and hast a vast production network, manufacturing capacity and logistics put in place. 1 million face shields on week is a JOKE. When Apple starts manufacturing 10 milion shield per week and distribute these internationally, then we can start talking about great effort and social responsability. I doubt that a single shield cost more than 20 cents, so do the math and tell me that this is the best Apple can do to help its customers.
[automerge]1586337730[/automerge]
Every time I think I have read the dumbest comment on macrumors someone says “hold my beer”.
What is so dumb in your opinion? My point that just 1milion shields a week is a joke or that Apple must do more?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Especially since Jobs never said the “holding it wrong” misquote.
Well exclaiming "fake news" is also incorrect... he said "Just avoid holding it in that way,"... but I understand we must 100% exalt St. Steve.

So I guess the "joke" may be reworded "Just avoid wearing it that way"... of course best in these times is "Just avoid"
 
  • Like
Reactions: PC_tech
Pardonme? Producing a mask requires in most cases hand work. Apple has created a face shield that is actually quite easy to manufacture automatically without worker intervention. I live in Spain and there are several small local companies and workshops that output 1 milion masks and faceshields per week. Apple is sitting on 300 bilion dollars pile of cash and hast a vast production network, manufacturing capacity and logistics put in place. 1 million face shields on week is a JOKE. When Apple starts manufacturing 10 milion shield per week and distribute these internationally, then we can start talking about great effort and social responsability. I doubt that a single shield cost more than 20 cents, so do the math and tell me that this is the best Apple can do to help its customers.
[automerge]1586337730[/automerge]

What is so dumb in your opinion? My point that just 1milion shields a week is a joke or that Apple must do more?
[automerge]1586337778[/automerge]

Yes, thanks.
Name the several small local companies and provide proof that they are outputting a million mask a week.
second, you may not be familiar with this word but what Apple is doing is called charity. In Spain you hold companies hostage so you’re not use to companies just doing things without being forced to. Apple does not owe its customers facemask. You have no idea if any company especially one that this is not their primary business is capable of producing 10 million units of a shield a week. You pulled that number out of your ass. You are being negative just for the sport of it.
 
Reading through this comment thread and seeing all the criticism and sarcasm has shown me something. It’s clear none of you people work in healthcare. If you did...you’d be a heck of a lot more grateful.

Who cares if it’s “only” 1 million face shields per week? That’s more than we can say we’re getting now. I’ve been without a face shield for 3 weeks now and I have to make a single N-95 last my entire work week (which for now is 60 hours) so if any of you cynics would like to start helping us out, it would be much appreciated. At least Apple’s doing something other than sitting back and watching/criticizing others.
 
Reading through this comment thread and seeing all the criticism and sarcasm has shown me something. It’s clear none of you people work in healthcare. If you did...you’d be a heck of a lot more grateful.

Who cares if it’s “only” 1 million face shields per week? That’s more than we can say we’re getting now. I’ve been without a face shield for 3 weeks now and I have to make a single N-95 last my entire work week (which for now is 60 hours) so if any of you cynics would like to start helping us out, it would be much appreciated. At least Apple’s doing something other than sitting back and watching/criticizing others.
Thank you for doing what you do. I hope some of these shields make it to you and your coworkers soon.
 
Reading through this comment thread and seeing all the criticism and sarcasm has shown me something. It’s clear none of you people work in healthcare. If you did...you’d be a heck of a lot more grateful.

Who cares if it’s “only” 1 million face shields per week? That’s more than we can say we’re getting now. I’ve been without a face shield for 3 weeks now and I have to make a single N-95 last my entire work week (which for now is 60 hours) so if any of you cynics would like to start helping us out, it would be much appreciated. At least Apple’s doing something other than sitting back and watching/criticizing others.

Thank you for all you do.
Some people don't understand how much little effort is magnified in time of crisis. I'd love for someone to donate us hand sanitizer and masks. Even 10 are better than 0, and they go a long long way. Anything is great.
 
Probably for china.
Nope.

“The adjustable face shields can be packed flat, allowing 100 to fit in each box. Shipments will initially go to medical facilities in the United States, but Apple plans to expand distribution globally at a later date.”

 
Reading through this comment thread and seeing all the criticism and sarcasm has shown me something. It’s clear none of you people work in healthcare. If you did...you’d be a heck of a lot more grateful.

Who cares if it’s “only” 1 million face shields per week? That’s more than we can say we’re getting now. I’ve been without a face shield for 3 weeks now and I have to make a single N-95 last my entire work week (which for now is 60 hours) so if any of you cynics would like to start helping us out, it would be much appreciated. At least Apple’s doing something other than sitting back and watching/criticizing others.


These folks on here just don't get it do they? They're ungrateful because they haven't contracted the virus yet or aren't associated with it yet in any meaningful way. Just wait. It's going to impact everyone in some menaingful way, and then their storoes will change, and hopefully their appreciation for what Apple is doing for healthcare workers.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Despite your horrible negativity, you are also just wrong.
Apple’s work here (like many other companies) needs to tick a few boxes...
1)use current workforce to do something, so you can continue paying them- in this case Apple had teams in marketing, logistics, packaging, etc all involved; some hotels, since they need to keep a skeleton cleaning crew on anyways, are letting traveling medical professionals stay for free... others, like Hilton, are moving the homeless off the streets, and providing ppe & other protections
2)speak up about what you’re doing; not only do people assume you’re doing nothing if no announcement is made, but further- it encourages other companies to follow suit... the positive pr can also help offset the expenditures
3)show actual commitment by providing something more meaningful/helpful than standing back & throwing money at the issue; especially if it’s something your company in in a unique position to provide (as in the hotel example above)- in this case, had Apple given triple the amount it’s spending on these, directly to hospitals with the funds earmarked “for ppe masks only”, it would have helped FAR less.
Obviously these individual hospitals aren’t ordering 20 million at a time, directly from the manufacturer... nope their distribution chain would pocket the vast difference in cost, then they’d still get the message: “those are back ordered, you’ll get them when you get them”.

I’m thoroughly impressed by how Apple brought their skills to bear and did NOT sit aloof and make sure they were just “donating the same amount as the other guys”.


Edit: Deleted Statement not relevant to discussion.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.