Apple is preparing for significant manufacturing changes. It is testing the use of 3D printers to produce steel cases for some future smartwatches. This is reported by Bloomberg, citing knowledgeable sources.
This technology will avoid the need to cut large metal plates to the shape of future products. With the help of a 3D printer, the company will be able to create a general outline of the product close to the actual size.
Printing will be done with a powdered substance that will undergo a sintering process. Heat and pressure will cause the material to change into a state similar to traditional steel.
This method will reduce the time it takes to build devices and help the environment by using less material. The approach also has the potential to streamline Apple’s supply chain and spark broader changes. If all goes according to plan, the tech giant could use this process to make other products.
Over the past few months, the process has been tested on steel cases for the Apple Watch Series 9. However, there are no guarantees that the first consumer batches of the new steel Apple Watch will be made using the updated technology. However, the tests indicate that the company is serious about using this method.
Apple is also planning to apply this process to its Ultra titanium watch, but this transition is not planned until 2024.
As a reminder, on September 12, Apple will present the iPhone 15, which will be called Wonderlust. The event will take place in California at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time – 20:00 p.m. Kyiv time. During the event, the company is to present four iPhone models, Apple Watch Series 9, and a new version of Apple Watch Ultra.
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