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Liquidmetal's Manufacturing Process Promises Rapid, Low-Cost Fabrication
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CNC works great, but it's such a laborious and intensive process. It's amazing that LiquidMetal has been able to keep operating independently, but it's fantastic that they have -- this is a HUGE step forward for metal fabrication. If it works for computers, it has some very broad reaching industrial applications that will turn the entire metal fabrication industry on its head.
Apple may have a lock on consumer electronics applications, but I guarantee you that automotive manufacturers and MANY other industries would be lining up once other alloys are proven.
Apple may have a lock on consumer electronics applications, but I guarantee you that automotive manufacturers and MANY other industries would be lining up once other alloys are proven.
"The cost savings are tremendous"
Naturally this wont be reflected in a products price I suspect.
Naturally this wont be reflected in a products price I suspect.
I'm sure they're speaking specifically compared to traditional die-cutting on more complicated parts. So, basically, it will allow Apple more unique manufacturing options that wouldn't have been feasible with traditional methods.
Faster AND lower cost fabrication. So how much of the cost savings will be passed on to the customers? Oh, who am I kidding. We'll pay because it will be marketed as a state of the art manufacturing.
Okay, let the early adopters pay more (those fancy new machines ain't free). After the first 10 million or so iPhones/iPods/iPads I'll expect lower prices.
You forgot that the metal alloy itself is very expensive. It contains zirconium and platinum. So, manufacturing may be cheap, but the material is very expensive.
You have a long wait in front of you - lazy, entitled, unmotivated, benefit demanding American workers will keep production in Asia for many years to come. Our artificially "pumped" / credit driven consumer economy is falling apart - as it should.
The global economy has dawned - we are going to suffer for years to come.
If this stuff is as good as they say it is, Apple could probably buy a major stake in them real cheap and build them up.
Tech companies have made stranger investments.
Keep in mind - Liquid Metal will solve some problems and create some new ones - it is all about engineering trade offs.
When people consider the current cost in future technology they're being short sighted, prices come down significantly with good R&D. Especially after you've been making that product for a while.
I'm optimistic that the iPhone 5 will be liquid metal. More so, I think that the next iPad has a good chance of coming in liquid metal with the retina display and face time.
I'm optimistic that the iPhone 5 will be liquid metal. More so, I think that the next iPad has a good chance of coming in liquid metal with the retina display and face time.
Except for the fact that HTC has been building touch based Mobile Phones and devices since 1997 and utilize a custom skinned version of Android which looks and feels NOTHING like iOS.
No, they have a license to use it. Other manufacturers are using it already, even in mobile phones.
American government is to blame, i.e. the people who elect them.
The biggest problem is taxes. Intel has repeatedly stated that it could built a chip plant in California, but will not do so because of corporate taxes which total apr. 40%.
Money is even more liquid than the new alloy. It goes where nothing hurts it or chunks are taken out
Japan subsidizes (quietly) Even within the US you have States making deals for factories (Most aggressive the Carolinas) and our government does not have or hire people from the industry to understand what is going on.
BTW: Making things in America costs almost the same as in China, but there are not enough bodies in USA for low level manufacturing jobs, hence LOS MUCHOS LATINOS.
The immigration issue is idiotic. Cato institute just did a study about that.
Rant over