Will Apple introduce a device manufacturing process using 3D printers to shorten production speed and save materials?

When making terminals such as smartphones and smartwatches, parts and frames are cut out from large metal plates. However, it became clear that Apple is trying to manufacture a 3D printer for the housing, saying that it can save time and reduce the amount of material used than this method.

NEW: Apple is eyeing a major shift for how to produce products, working on 3D printing of device bodies. Apple is testing the process — with major benefits for production speed & sustainability — with the upcoming stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9.

https:/ /t.co/cKlW0roIqC

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 30, 2023

Apple Watch Series 9: Apple (AAPL) Tests 3D Printing in Device Production - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-30/apple-watch-series-9-apple-tests-3d-printing-in-device-production

Apple starts testing 3D printers to make smartwatch casings - Bloomberg News | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-starts-testing-3d-printers-make-smartwatch-casings-bloomberg-news-2023-08-30/

Apple Experimenting With 3D Printing to Create Devices - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/08/30/apple-3d-printing-device-components/

According to Bloomberg's Mark Garman, an anonymous source said Apple is testing a 3D printer to manufacture the steel housing for its upcoming Apple Watch smartwatch. .

Apple Watch occupies about 10% of the product manufacturing line, and a general method is used in which button holes are made after cutting the material block to the housing size.

Apple is testing a 3D printer that uses a binder jet method that sprays adhesive onto metal powder, shapes it, and then bakes it in a sintering furnace to create the final shape. A method of modeling at a size close to the actual size. In the manufacturing industry, this is called ' near net shape .'

By adopting this method, the amount of material used can be reduced, and the cutting process is eliminated, so the time required for manufacturing can be shortened.

According to Garman, Apple has been secretly working on this technology for at least three years and has been testing it on the steel case of the Apple Watch Series 9, which is scheduled to be announced on September 12, 2023.

In addition, Apple is promoting the introduction of ``environmentally friendly materials'', and there are rumors that the iPhone 15 series will have a woven cloth case called ``FineWoven'' that uses a new material instead of a leather case.

FineWoven Case? pic.twitter.com/zEgySGYRiP

— DuanRui (@duanrui1205) August 30, 2023