The new Apple Watch Ultra model set to launch this year will come with 3D-printed mechanical parts made out of titanium, according to a new Medium post from trusted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a post published today, Kuo attests that Apple is “actively adopting” 3D printing for certain components moving forward. The analyst predicts that some mechanical parts of a refreshed Apple Watch Ultra model will be made out of 3D-printed titanium in a bid to reduce manufacturing complexity and associated financial and environmental costs. Kuo adds that any 3D-printed parts will still have to undergo CNC machining for finishing touches just like traditionally-manufactured components.
The Apple Watch Ultra currently sports a few mechanical parts including the Action Button, Digital Crown, Side Button, and the band release buttons. Kuo was not clear on which of the aforementioned components would adopt 3D printing first, but Apple could theoretically start with the less critical band release buttons before completely switching to 3D printing for the remaining mechanical buttons on subsequent Apple Watch models.
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A number of Apple suppliers will benefit from the purported switch to 3D printing, including IPG Photonics, Farsoon, and BLT. Kuo adds that Apple could switch to 3D printing for products other than the Apple Watch in the future if production yields prove satisfactory.
Apple is set to launch the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra later this year alongside the iPhone 15 lineup. Details have so far been scant on what to expect with the upcoming Apple Watch models, but a recent report suggests that the new S9 System-in-Package (SiP) chip could feature a substantial performance boost.
