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News Bystar Laser produces a ventilator

In response to the corona crisis, many entrepreneurs reacted quickly and promptly reorganized their production processes – among them Tony Haddad from Lebanon. A story about a successful mechanical engineering entrepreneur who wants to give something back to his country – and about a Bystar laser that patiently pushes through night shifts.

The machine, that is intended to start saving lives in the near future, is smaller than a moving box: a case made of stainless steel and glass containing a bag bellows that looks like a beating heart. It hums quietly as rays of sunlight shine through long windows into the factory building. In the background, employees are grinding and milling components for enormous bottling and packaging machines. But Elie Jalbout, the 39-year-old plant manager, only has eyes for the small box in front of him: “You cannot imagine how proud we are,” he says.

The small box goes by the name AmbuVent and is the first ventilator to bear the “Made in Lebanon" hallmark. Actually, Technica specializes in the development, construction, and operation of fully automated production lines. But then the coronavirus spread – and suddenly the multinational company turned into a pioneer of the Lebanese medical technology sector.

Read the full story in our current issue of Bystronic World.

The first ventilator manufactured in Lebanon and produced on the Bystar 3015 laser machine.

The first ventilator manufactured in Lebanon and produced on the Bystar 3015 laser machine.

The housing of the ventilator is cut on the Bystar 3015 laser machine.

The housing of the ventilator is cut on the Bystar 3015 laser machine.

Much is still made by hand. But also at Technica, investments in automation are increasing.

Much is still made by hand. But also at Technica, investments in automation are increasing.

The founder and pioneer Tony Haddad on his own basketball court. Building a ventilator for his country is a matter close to his heart.

The founder and pioneer Tony Haddad on his own basketball court. Building a ventilator for his country is a matter close to his heart.

Technica is located in the city of Bikfaya in Lebanon. Here, too, time has not stood still and so the whole roof was equipped with solar panels.

Technica is located in the city of Bikfaya in Lebanon. Here, too, time has not stood still and so the whole roof was equipped with solar panels.