Apple is testing the use of 3D printers to produce the steel chassis used by some of its upcoming Apple Watch models, Bloomberg News reports Wednesday citing “people with knowledge of the matter.”
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
The technique would obviate the need to cut large slabs of metal into the product’s shape. That would reduce the time it takes to build devices while also helping the environment by using less material, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the plan is private.
The new approach has the potential to streamline Apple’s supply chain and kick off a broader shift. If the work with Apple Watches goes to plan, the tech giant will look to expand the process to more products over the next several years, the people said.
To date, Apple has used a more conventional manufacturing approach for its stainless-steel watches… A process called forging is used to form bricks of material into a smaller block of metal close to the size of the device. A CNC, or computer numerical control, machine is then used to cut into the metal and create the exact design and button holes.
The new technique uses a type of 3D printing called binder jetting to create the device’s general outline at close to its actual size, or what is known in manufacturing as the “near net shape.” The print is made with a powdered substance, which afterward goes through a process called sintering. That uses heat and pressure to squeeze the material into what feels like traditional steel. The exact design and cutouts are then milled like in the previous process…
For now, the cost per watch case with the new process is in line with that of the prior method.
MacDailyNews Take: You know what would really be great for an Apple Watch – maybe reserved for an Ultra model? Liquidmetal.
Please help support MacDailyNews. Click or tap here to support our independent tech blog. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
Amen regarding the potential for LiquidMetal…an incredible process that has languished after Apple’s initial interest and then neglect. Chinese corporate bosses took over and have transferred the tech to their production facilities in China; the LM shareholders have been gypped as a result.
Why do you accept obvious jackassery like the above? This is why comments and feedback are dead.
“ obvious jackassery” describes your post, which is an obvious lie; I’ve owned a massive number of shares of Liquid Metal stock for 12-14 years and what I stated is exactly what happened. The stock has dropped to a value of $0.05 as a result. Look at the name(s) of the fake CEO and company officers. They ousted the original CEO and raped the company. You are the lying jackass.
Given Apple’s commitment to the environment, Liquidmetal seems like a no brainer. The injection molds would mean very little waisted material and high levels of precision. Makes one wonder what LM is lacking. Something is keeping Apple from adopting it.
Maybe cost/durability for Apple’s use cases/difficulty of mass production/superiority of alternatives etc. Apple wouldn’t have shelved this tech if it made sense for them. The near decade-long fantasy based on on a clever name that sounds like something from Terminator 2 should be put out to pasture.
A $300 Million Liquidmetal factory is being built right now in China so I’d say it’s about to get cheap and easy!
Apple has used the LM for the inner stem/crown on the watches for quite a few years; also used it for the SIM card removal tool (which opened the SIM card tray/drawer) and it is a very slick and strong little gizmo—kind of like a chromed paper clip with super rigidity.
Take that: “EnoughAleady!” They already proved LM’s superiority in small item uses.