I know you are trying to be snarky, but there are machines that "weave" 3D forms, body armor is an example, and it does make a difference in performance. Patents are definitely possible for the design and process.
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Apple's Rumored Carbon Fiber Part Shipments Said to Be Result of Multi-Year Partnership
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I know you are trying to be snarky, but there are machines that "weave" 3D forms, body armor is an example, and it does make a difference in performance. Patents are definitely possible for the design and process.
Well, I could well be wrong... I did try to soften my statement with "supposedly", but your description doesn't negate what I had read, since it dealt with its use in thin extrusions. A ball of any material is going to be about as robust as it can be... a sphere of glass for example is going to be pretty strong, while a thin sheet of same will shatter quite readily.
Did a little digging, and found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquidmetal
So even if you're right about the current iteration of the technology, it's hardly worthy of an eye-roll, since at one time, I was right.
In any case, I stand by the ultimate point of my statement, which was that a CF/LiquidMetal composite would be a killer material.
Based on the linked Wikipedia article, Viterloy appears to be a different alloy than LiquidMetal, though it's not entirely clear in that context. Regardless, I apologize for the eye-roll.
What does carbon fibre look like? Most products the use fiber also use paint over the fiber or they add pigment to the resin. Take a look at this 100% carbon bike. Click the detail shots to see what a phone might look like
http://www.carbonroadbikebicyclecycling.com/2012-trebisacce-red-pro-52-cm-full-carbon-road-bike-sram-force-fsa-wheels
Could there be a link between this story and the one about design changes for the iPad Mini? Or is it too early in development for Apple to be using it in production devices? The previous news about Apple making orders too large to be just samples could hold a clue.
I wonder if Apple is trying to create something more scratch resistant, harder and lighter than anodized aluminum. This, combined with its smaller size compared to the iPad, could make the Mini much more appealing for holding in the hand (lighter and easier to grip).
I wonder if Apple is trying to create something more scratch resistant, harder and lighter than anodized aluminum. This, combined with its smaller size compared to the iPad, could make the Mini much more appealing for holding in the hand (lighter and easier to grip).
I've built carbon fiber parts. It is not roket science and you can do it at home with simple tools. you first make the part out of wood or clay or whatever then make a mould from the pattern part. Then the carbon and resin goes into the mold. But one easy step makes it look different. Mix pigment with the epoxy resin and paint that into the mold first. Then add the fiber and clear resin. When it coes out it looks like it's painted but the color is "deep" and can't flake off. In a factory you'd use spray equipment to coat the inside of the molds with a color coat but even the brushed in color looks good as any brush marks are embedded inside the part.
The only reason to use clear resin is you you can inspect the final part for air bubble or other defects. Or the pigment adds weight but no strength. So you only use it where it shows.
I know what it looks like, reason why I commented on it's looks in the first place.
Tim Cook: We order the main part of this cowl from Singapore.
Jonathan Ive: Via a dummy corporation.
Tim: Indeed. And then, quite separately we place an order to a Chinese company for these.
Jon: Put it together ourselves.
Tim: Precisely.
Jon: They'll have to be large orders, to avoid suspicion.
Tim: How large?
Jon: Say 10,000.
Tim: Well, at least we'll have spares.
"She can't take anymore Jim! I'm given her all she'll take"!
"Dammit Scottie! We patented the Warp Engine".
Years ago, IIRC, Apple patented a process for bonding a metal skin to a composite material. Basically gluing a thin sheet of aluminum to a lightweight fiber reinforced polymer, possibly carbon fiber reinforced polymer. That would produce an appearance like the current MacBook Pro / Air aluminum shell. But the structure could be even stronger, thinner, and lighter.
Not sure how recyclable carbon fiber is, though. Especially when an aluminum skin is glued to it. And then there's the high energy cost of autoclaving the carbon fiber sheets...
Not sure how recyclable carbon fiber is, though. Especially when an aluminum skin is glued to it. And then there's the high energy cost of autoclaving the carbon fiber sheets...
If that came on a rolling stand like the ones they have in hospitals it could kind of hover over the legs.
Heat Dissipation
I was curious how the heat dissipation of carbon fiber compared to aluminum and found this article http://marketplace.yet2.com/app/insight/techofweek/33192?sid=350
They mention carbon fiber for heat sinks and other electronic applications and claim twice the heat dissipation.
I was curious how the heat dissipation of carbon fiber compared to aluminum and found this article http://marketplace.yet2.com/app/insight/techofweek/33192?sid=350
They mention carbon fiber for heat sinks and other electronic applications and claim twice the heat dissipation.
Carbon vs. Basalt
Basalt fibers made from volcanic rock would be much cheaper. It does NOT shatter as easily as carbon-looks about the same and does NOT conduct electricity like carbon. It can be woven into whatever look they need and is a "green" recyclable fiber-non-respirable.
Carbon is a little lighter but way overkill for most things and expensive.
http://www.basalt-mesh-fiber.com/
Basalt fibers made from volcanic rock would be much cheaper. It does NOT shatter as easily as carbon-looks about the same and does NOT conduct electricity like carbon. It can be woven into whatever look they need and is a "green" recyclable fiber-non-respirable.
Carbon is a little lighter but way overkill for most things and expensive.
http://www.basalt-mesh-fiber.com/
Apple should skip carbon fiber altogether, and go straight for graphene. Apple can use that 100 billion dollars in cash to further Carbon nanotube research several years. Hell if apple wants to make the iPhone any thinner than what it is now, carbon nanotubes would be the way to go. they could make the entire thing out of carbon nanotubes/graphene andit would be faster than any other phone out there... hell with graphene processors it would be faster than any personal computer out there. JUST IMAGINE THE IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE WORLD.