Watch your iPad being made at the Foxconn factory in China

By DAVID GERGES

Published: | Updated:

You can read a book, browse your photos and even play the piano on the new iPad - but what exactly goes into making Apple's new tablet?

A rare insight into one of the factories shows the meticulous attention to detail covered by staff as they assemble thousands of tablets every day.

The factory in city of Shenzhen, China, employs 240,000 men and women, and even houses 50,000 on site.

Hundreds of workers queue to get inside the plant that employs 240,000 men and women

Hundreds of workers queue to get inside the plant that employs 240,000 men and women

A worker adds components to the rear of the tablet before it can be approved by an automated response

A worker adds components to the rear of the tablet before it can be approved by an automated response

The tablet is transported down the assembly belt before more components are added to its frame

The tablet is transported down the assembly belt before more components are added to its frame

Staff work 10-hour shifts that involve fastening every single part of an iPad and after they have completed component, the iPad is scanned for a final automatic approval.

After being transported down the assembly line, the screens are tested before covers are placed on the tablets.

Inside the factory, workers have access to fast-food restaurants, banks, cafes, grocery stores, a wedding photo shop, and an automated library.

There are also football and basketball courts, a gym and two large  swimming pools.

Another workers checks the resolution on the screen with the iPad connected to a test cable

Another workers checks the resolution on the screen with the iPad connected to a test cable

Protection sleeves are stuck on the back of the iPad to ensure it avoids any immediate damage or scratches

Protection sleeves are stuck on the back of the iPad to ensure it avoids any immediate damage or scratches

Outside the factory, employees are able to relax and play sports on football pitches amongst other surfaces

Outside the factory, employees are able to relax and play sports on football pitches amongst other surfaces

The factory is set to recruit an additional 18,000 workers to build the new iPhone 5 which could be on sale as early as June.

Foxconn was the subject of controversy last month after a report commissioned by Apple found that workers were doing exhaustingly long hours for little pay.

The inquiry, set up by Apple after a series of suicides at its Chinese factories, revealed employees often worked more than 76 hours a week and 11 days in a row.

The investigation, which was run with America's Fair Labour Association, found 'significant' failings at three Chinese plants run by Foxconn.


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