The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will reportedly launch later this year, and its manufacturing process is said to take a different approach, according to one analyst. Apparently, Apple will switch to 3D printing for some of the mechanical parts found in the company’s flagship wearable, and there will be a few benefits to following this path.
The 3D printed parts that will eventually be found in the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra can also be produced in less time
The latest prediction was provided by TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who states in his Medium blog that the new Apple Watch Ultra will switch to 3D printing for some of the titanium mechanical parts. Kuo states that the current 3D printed parts are still required to go through several back-end processes, but in the end, it should be worth it because of two major benefits; improvement in production time paired with reduced component costs.
“My latest survey indicates that Apple is actively adopting 3D printing technology, and it’s expected that some of the titanium mechanical parts of the 2H23 new Apple Watch Ultra will be made by 3D printing. Although currently the mechanical parts made by 3D printing still have to go through the CNC process for back-end processes, it can still improve the production time and reduce the production cost.”
Kuo also stated that IPG Photonics is the exclusive supplier of laser components for the 3D printed mechanical parts, while the printer suppliers are Farsoon and BLT. Assuming that the entire process is streamlined and shipments proceed according to plan, Apple could adopt more 3D printing parts in other products, which should help reduce production time and the cost required to make these parts at scale. Apple’s suppliers should also stand to benefit through this partnership, though we will not be surprised to see more companies added to the list in the future to help the technology giant obtain better pricing leverage.
The durability of the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra was not given enough attention in the latest blog post. Irrespective of the parts used, aluminum and titanium are considered to be more robust than pieces of plastic fused together. Of course, there are various materials used in the 3D printing process, and Apple would have likely thought this through, so let us see what the internals of the final product look like when the Apple Watch Ultra gets an official announcement later this year.
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