Apple CEO Tim Cook announced over the weekend that the Cupertino firm is working with its supply chain to produce a million face shields per week for medical workers. Apple’s design, engineering, operations, and packaging teams are working with suppliers to design, produce, and ship face shields for medical workers. Now, Apple has published a support document explaining how to assemble and adjust the face shields.
The support document provides information, including a series of images and animations showing how the product can be assembled from three pieces of materials. The face shields can be assembled for a regular fit or to provide extra space between the user’s face and the shield. The document also shows how the latex-free silicone strap should be properly threaded to secure the shield and forehead band together and around the user’s head.
Apple also includes instructions for using, sterilizing, and reusing the shields.
Clean and reuse your face shield
When using your face shield:
- Avoid exposure to high heat.
- Handle gently to prevent drops and scratches.
You can sterilize and reuse your face shield. It has been evaluated to be compatible with the following chemicals:
- 70% Ethanol
- 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
- 6% Bleach*
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
*May leave a residue on the face shield.
A printable PDF version of the instruction sheet that comes in the box with the shields is also available for download and printing.
Cook said the adjustable face shields take under two minutes to assemble. The shields can be packed flat, allowing 100 to fit in a single box. While shipments will initially be sent to medical facilities in the United States, Apple has plans to expand the distribution to a global level at a later date.
Apple delivered its first batch of face shields to Kaiser medical facilities in the Santa Clara Vally area, and Cook said initial feedback was “very positive.”