Apple explores 3D printing for smartwatch chassis manufacturing

  • Industry News
  • Sep 01,23
This innovative technique could eliminate the necessity of carving sizable metal slabs into the desired product shape.
Apple explores 3D printing for smartwatch chassis manufacturing

According to a few reports, Apple Inc is currently in the testing phase of employing 3D printing technology for crafting the steel chassis utilised in some of its forthcoming smartwatches. This development signals a significant departure from the company's traditional manufacturing processes.

This innovative technique could eliminate the necessity of carving sizable metal slabs into the desired product shape. This not only has the potential to expedite device production but also promotes environmental sustainability by reducing material consumption. These insiders, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the plan, assert that if successful with Apple Watches, this approach may pave the way for broader adoption across various product lines in the coming years. Apple's spokesperson based in Cupertino, California, declined to provide any comments on the matter.

Historically, Apple has adhered to a more conventional manufacturing methodology for its stainless-steel watches, constituting approximately 10 per cent of its product lineup. This process involves forging material into a compact block of metal closely resembling the device's final size, followed by CNC (computer numerical control) machining to achieve the precise design and aperture locations.

The novel technique leverages a variant of 3D printing known as "binder jetting" to create a preliminary outline of the device, known in manufacturing as the "near net shape," nearly mirroring its actual dimensions. This printed form employs a powdered substance that subsequently undergoes sintering—a process involving heat and pressure to transform the material into a steel-like substance. The final step involves milling to produce the exact design and cutouts, similar to the earlier process.

This development has spurred investor interest in 3D printing companies such as 3D Systems Corp and Stratasys . Shares of 3D Systems experienced a notable surge of up to 10 per cent, while Stratasys saw a substantial increase of 6.9 per cent.

Related Stories

Other Industrial Products
India’s Top 100 Engineering Companies

India’s Top 100 Engineering Companies

Despite a slowdown in some of the major global markets amid geo-political tensions, India's engineering exports edged up to $ 109 billion in 2023-24 (2.13 per cent more than $ 107.04 billion in 2022..

Read more
Electrical & Electronics
Solid-state batteries plus traditional Li-ion battery manufacturing equipment

Solid-state batteries plus traditional Li-ion battery manufacturing equipment

The concept of dry electrode technology is like that of solid-state batteries, as it abandons traditional liquid solvents while adapting to current process flows. Through such technological upgrades..

Read more
Other Industrial Products
Anil Agarwal invites investors to setup businesses at Vedanta’s industrial parks

Anil Agarwal invites investors to setup businesses at Vedanta’s industrial parks

The company will need 1,500 acres of land for these projects, ideally within 50 kilometers of Vedanta’s key operations in Rajasthan and Odisha.

Read more

Related Products

Hi There!

Now get regular updates from IPF Magazine on WhatsApp!

Click on link below, message us with a simple hi, and SAVE our number

You will have subscribed to our Industrial News on Whatsapp! Enjoy

+91 84228 74016

Reach out to us

Call us at +91 8108603000 or

Schedule a Call Back