Has Apple Gained Access to the World's Most Advanced Manufacturing Tech?

By Clay Dillow Posted 08.26.2010 at 3:29 pm 12 Comments

Injection-Molding with Metals Built by a division of Swiss company Buhler, the injection-molding prototype is similar to this die-casting machine also made by Buhler.

Apple is known for nosing out unique and revolutionary manufacturing tech, and they may have just done so again, according to the knowledgeable folks over at Cult of Mac. Insiders say Apple's recent licensing deal with Liquidmetal Technologies is a play to gain the device maker access to the most advanced materials manufacturing technology on the planet.

Liquidmetal Technologies, a California-based manufacturing firm, is an under-the-radar fabrication company that has had its fair share of ups and downs in past years as it has tried to land contracts to manufacture a variety of objects from golf clubs to gadget cases. In doing so they've rooted out some issues with their own proprietary product, a hard and lightweight metal alloy that can be processed as easily as plastic.

But what's got Apple interested is their acquisition of the world's only prototype of an injection-molding machine that reportedly can create seamless metal parts just as injection molders make solid, single-piece plastic objects. Such a machine would allow Liquidmetal to manufacture anything from better iPhone antennas to seamless gadget cases, though some seem to think they might use the technology to manufacture the entire next-gen iPhone.

Why? Because Apple just signed an exclusive licensing deal with Liquidmetal to use its technology for commercial products reportedly worth some $11 million in ongoing dealings. Right now there is but one prototype injection molder in a factory in Korea, but with Apple's financial might behind the technology there could be many more relatively quickly.

That means Apple could conceivably manufacture their wares at far reduced cost (though who knows if Lord Jobs might pass those savings down to the little people) while making the components durable, uniform, and -- true to Apple form -- very, very pretty. Supposedly Johnny Ive, Apple's chief designer, is pushing hard for the Liquidmetal technology.

It's worth noting in closing here that such rumors are coming from people involved in Liquidmetal, and that -- also true to Apple form -- Cupertino has nothing to say about whether or not they may or may not be possibly thinking about future long-term manufacturing with Liquidmetal. But if they do, it will be significant for a few reasons.

First of all, many fabrication houses have been trying to replicate injection-molding properties in strong metallic media for a long time, so if someone as big and reputable as Apple is getting on board it bodes well for the notion that the technology is finally catching up with the idea.

But further, though Apple has an exclusive deal with Liquidmetal, no licensing deal lasts forever. If the tech really is as good as Apple may or may not think it is, a variety of consumer goods -- not just Apple products -- could be manufactured more durably and at a lower cost. That's good news across the board.

[Cult of Mac]

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12 Comments

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TXSam

08/26/10 at 4:22 pm

Leave it to MAC to find something wonderful and make it into an overpriced proprietary debacle.

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Igot1forya

08/26/10 at 5:41 pm

:) thumbs up TXSam!

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Moon born

08/26/10 at 7:58 pm

Really, really guys you have never heard of die casting. This technology has been around sense the early 1800's. It is nothing new or interesting just apple signing a deal with a manufacturer this sort of thing happens to hundreds of companies every day. Seriously I don't understand John Mahoney and Clay Dillow's infatuation with apple, I honestly wonder if they are whoring out there services for free product, your work is nothing more than second rate propaganda!

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Ian1108

08/26/10 at 10:57 pm

Wow Moon born, I was excited just to get the first Liquidmetal/T1000/Cyberdyne post but now you've bummed me right out. I'll just give it to someone else now...I guess.

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fartsniffer

08/27/10 at 6:17 am

still need to be able to put the sim and change the battery lol

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chsy83

08/27/10 at 8:18 am

I remember reading about Liquid metal several years ago, and I seem to remember that the process was unique in that the crystal structure remained amorphous (like clear glass). This gave the benefit of even strength in any shape that was poured. They talked about being able to pour medical scalpels without need of sharpening.

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kev0153

08/27/10 at 3:13 pm

yeah, it's like die casting on steroids. At least according to their website. Looks like interesting technology.

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Onihikage

08/27/10 at 11:34 pm

I've heard about "Liquid" or "Amorphous" metal before - apparently the process involves a special rapid-cooling process that leaves the metal very strong, but flexible like rubber. A solid metal ball of amorphous metal will actually bounce, and very efficiently at that! I can imagine the durability of a cell phone made from the stuff, though how well it would stay together or actually protect the internal components is anyone's guess.

As chsy mentioned, the process would allow them to make scalpels that are sharp straight from the mold, eliminating need for sharpening. There are a ton of other uses for this material, and it's an excellent alternative to plastic. This is because first of all, it produces metal stronger for its weight than it would be if cooled normally, so less could be used. Secondly, if deformed by an impact, it springs back like rubber (I would LOVE having a wheelbarrow made of this), so it wouldn't get dents in it. Environmentally of course, it's better because it will actually break down in natural conditions, is easily recycled, doesn't use petroleum, and doesn't contain toxic additives.

The bonus I see from the news in this article is that, with a corporate giant such as Apple signing on with this company, the manufacturing process can make its way into the mainstream. Within 5 or 10 years, we might see more products incorporating this material, and that can only be a good thing.

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Mentalistacer

08/28/10 at 11:41 am

Metal-treading components in tires;)

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madcat07

08/29/10 at 7:53 am

@Onihikage

A steel ball bearing will already bounce if dropped or thrown at a hard service. And it bounces very nicely I might add. Just google - steel ball bounces - and you can see links to sites where it is discussed that steel can bounce higher than rubber.

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quatra

08/29/10 at 7:03 pm

Well, I don't think Lord Jobs will pass on the savings to the masses. After all he's in love with money. He's called Scrooge Mc Duck here after all.

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potsonna1

09/02/10 at 5:52 pm

Interesting!Hear from you next week and have a happy Labor Day!

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