Key Takeaways
- Xi'an Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) and Tianqiong Partners consortium have developed a 3D printed hinge for the OPPO Find N6 smartphone
- The hinge features "industry-first 3D Liquid Printing" technology, which minimizes the crease in foldable electronics
- The consortium includes four partners: BLT, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Samsung Display, Amphenol Phoenix, and LEAD Intelligent
- The 3D printed titanium hinge uses high-resolution UV printing with 20+ cycles of finishing and custom photopolymer droplets to achieve a "Zero-Feel Crease"
Introduction to Consortium-Enabled 3D Printing
The use of consortiums in East and Southeast Asian nations has proven to be a successful strategy for companies to achieve competitive advantages. Metal additive manufacturing (AM) original equipment manufacturer (OEM) BLT has demonstrated the power of consortiums with its work on the hinge for the OPPO Find N6 smartphone. The company collaborated with the Tianqiong Partners industrial alliance to develop a 3D printed hinge that features "industry-first 3D Liquid Printing" technology.
The Tianqiong Partners Consortium
The Tianqiong Partners consortium consists of four partners: BLT, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Samsung Display, Amphenol Phoenix, and LEAD Intelligent. Each partner brought their expertise to the table, with Shanghai Jiao Tong University contributing to advanced materials and structural engineering research, and Samsung Display providing flexible display technology. Amphenol Phoenix was responsible for the design and manufacturing of the hinge, while LEAD Intelligent provided automation equipment.
Comparison of Consortium Partners
| Partner | Contribution |
|---|---|
| BLT | 3D printing technology |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | Advanced materials and structural engineering research |
| Samsung Display | Flexible display technology |
| Amphenol Phoenix | Hinge design and manufacturing |
| LEAD Intelligent | Automation equipment |
The 3D Printed Hinge
The 3D printed titanium hinge features high-resolution UV printing with 20+ cycles of finishing and custom photopolymer droplets. This process allows for the minimization of the crease in foldable electronics, resulting in a "Zero-Feel Crease". The hinge is a significant improvement over the previous version, with a reduced height variance of 0.01mm.
Conclusion
The collaboration between BLT and the Tianqiong Partners consortium has resulted in a significant advancement in 3D printing technology. The 3D printed hinge for the OPPO Find N6 smartphone features "industry-first 3D Liquid Printing" technology, which minimizes the crease in foldable electronics. This achievement demonstrates the power of consortiums in driving innovation and achieving competitive advantages.
Bottom Line
The development of the 3D printed hinge for the OPPO Find N6 smartphone is a significant achievement in the field of 3D printing. The collaboration between BLT and the Tianqiong Partners consortium has resulted in a innovative solution that minimizes the crease in foldable electronics. With a reduced height variance of 0.01mm, the 3D printed titanium hinge is a major improvement over previous versions. As the demand for foldable electronics continues to grow, the use of consortiums and 3D printing technology is likely to play a major role in driving innovation and achieving competitive advantages.