Apple Watch Series 9 could be the first to use 3D printed parts

2023-09-02 12:40:00

Last month, rumors surfaced that Apple was using 3D printing to create components for its devices. There was talk that the upcoming Watch Ultra 2 would be the first to use this technology, with some components printed in titanium. However, new information refutes this suggestion, indicating that the manufacturer would likely first test the technology on the Watch Series 9 before eventually adopting it on more devices.

The details come from Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg journalist who specializes behind the scenes at Apple, who claims that Apple is already experimenting with 3D printing with its suppliers. They would already be planning to launch the next generation of the Watch Series equipped with 3D printed components, instead of parts made with conventional manufacturing processes.

The method would bring advantages such as saving resources, requiring less molding materials, as it can use powdered substances during printing, compared to the CNC process, which generates more waste. At the same time, this will simplify manufacturing and reduce the time required to build these parts.

As for the Watch Ultra 2, Apple may continue to use the similar method it used to create the original Watch Ultra. But if Apple achieves the intended results in its 3D printing test, Gurman said they will expand 3D printing to more devices beyond smartwatches by next year — so future iPhones and iPads could use those capabilities as well.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. The smartwatch is expected to have minimal improvements in terms of design over its predecessor. Instead, the device running watchOS 10 should take advantage of a more efficient and faster Apple S9 processor.

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