Apple invents 3D printer for space-age LiquidMetal rapid prototypes

Space-age iPhone, coming soon to a 3D printer near you.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

On its journey to product perfection, Apple is well known for its endless prototyping of the next iPhone, iMac, or Apple Watch.

A newly-published patent application shows that the company may soon (if it can't already) add ultra-tough space-age metal alloy LiquidMetal to the number of materials it can use to create these rapid prototypes — thanks to a cutting-edge 3D printer purposely designed for the job.

Check out more details below.

A futuristic 3D printer, or a smoothie-maker for Jony Ive's lunch? You decide.
Photo: USPTO/Apple

The patent application, filed in the last quarter of 2014, describes the creation of a 3D mold using a layer-by-layer construction process with LiquidMetal.

Apple first signed an exclusive agreement to use the futuristic metal alloy in question way back in August 2010. The amorphous alloy, which possesses more than twice the strength of high-performance titanium, has been described by NASA as likely to redefine material science in the 21st century, "in the same way that the inventions of steel in the 1800s and plastic in the 1900s sparked revolutions for industry."

However, despite experts insisting ever since then that LiquidMetal was likely to be used as part of the next iPad or iPhone antenna, almost six years down the line we're no closer to seeing the material pop up in an Apple device — although the company has continued to investigate applications relating to everything from antennas to fuel cells.

As you'd expect, the processability of amorphous alloys presents quite a challenge to work with. But a 3D printer able to help Apple quickly and easily make rapid prototypes for a variety of different LiquidMetal concepts surely increases our chances of finally getting that futuristic scratch-proof iPhone or iPad we've been dreaming of!

You can check out the rest of Apple's patent application here.

Source: USPTO

Via: Patently Apple

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