Apple Inc.

Other

Thomas Johannessen

Tang Yew Tan

David A Pakula

Charles B Woodhull

Bryan Patrick Kiple

Lucy Elizabeth Browning

Masashige Tatebe

Peter N Russell-Clarke

Richard Walter Heley

Derek C Krass

Napthaneal Yuen Tan

Vincent Yan

Andrew J Meschke

John Murray Thornton, Iii

Julie Hanchak-Connors

Christopher D Prest

Richard Hung Minh Dinh

Daniel William Jarvis

Dale N Memering

Ashutosh Yugesh Shukla

Duy P Le

Nicholas George Merz

Benjamin Shane Bustle

Edward T Sweet

Andrew Everett Davidson

Takahiro Oshima

Matthew P Rao

Stefan C Mag

Shi Hua Zhang

Michael Ngo

Michael W Barnstead

Michael Coleman

Simon Lancaster

Michael P Coleman

Richard M Bretherton

Sean A Backs

Vashist Vasanthakumar

Roberto Ortega

Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.

Double anodized parts

Various components of an electronic device housing and methods for their assembly are disclosed. The housing can be formed by assembling and connecting two or more different sections together. The sections of the housing may be coupled together using one or more coupling members. The coupling members may be formed using a two-shot molding process in which the first shot forms a structural portion of the coupling members, and the second shot forms cosmetic portions of the coupling members.

Components of an electronic device and methods for their assembly

Manufacturing methods that combine molding processes and shaping processes are described. The systems and methods described can be used to form composite parts using a single manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the methods involve positioning a workpiece within a mold cavity, then injecting a moldable material within the cavity at pressures sufficient to deform the workpiece such that features, such as protrusions or cavities, are formed within the workpiece. The resultant composite part includes the workpiece molded to a molded material. In some embodiments, the workpiece is a layer of metal material and the molded material is a structurally rigid plastic material, such that the composite part is a structurally rigid plastic with a metal coating. In some embodiments, multiple workpieces are molded within a composite part.

Combination injection molding and hydroforming

Methods and systems for manufacturing composite parts that include anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions such that an interface between the anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions are free of visible defects are described. The non-anodizable portions can be made of anodizable metals such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The non-anodizable portions are made of material that do not generally form an anodic film, such as plastic, ceramic or glass materials. In particular, the methods described relate to manufacturing methods that are compatible with anodizing processes and avoid defects related to anodizing processes. In particular embodiments, the methods involve avoiding trapping of anodizing chemicals within a gap between an anodizable portion and a non-anodizable portion, which prevents the anodizing chemicals from disrupting the uptake of dye in a post-anodizing dyeing process.

Assembled integral plastic elements on an anodized mobile device enclosure

Double anodizing processes

Manufacturing methods related to anodizing of metal parts are described. In particular, pre-anodizing and post-anodizing methods for forming a consistent and defect-free interface between metal and non-metal sections of a part are described. Methods involve preventing residues from various manufacturing processes from entering a gap or space at the interface between the metal and non-metal section of the part and that can disrupt subsequent anodizing and anodic film dyeing processes. In particular embodiments, methods involve forming a barrier layer or filler layer between the metal and non-metal sections. Portions of the barrier layer or filler layer can be removed prior to anodizing. The resultant part has a well-defined and uniform space between the metal and non-metal sections that is free from visual defects.

Methods for forming defect-free anodized parts

Methods for creating sapphire windows are provided herein. In particular, one embodiment may take the form of a method of manufacturing sapphire windows. The method includes obtaining a polished sapphire wafer and applying decoration to the sapphire wafer. The method also includes cutting the sapphire wafer into discrete windows. In some embodiments, the cutting step comprises laser ablation of the sapphire.

Sapphire window

A method and an apparatus for shaping an edge at a juncture of two adjoining surfaces of a part. A first surface and a second surface of the part are abraded by contacting a polishing surface of a polishing wheel to the first surface and to the second surface. The polishing surface spins in opposite rotational directions about an axis parallel to the edge when contacting the first and second surfaces respectively. The polishing surface moves at different translational speeds and the polishing wheel spins at different rotational speeds along straight segments and along curved segments of the edge. The shaped edge has a visually smooth and geometrically uniform appearance.

Edge break details and processing

A complex geographical edge finishing system includes a fixture that holds an external part having a complex three-dimensional edge, a track disposed around the fixture and surrounding the edge of the part held in the fixture, and one or more finishing apparatuses that can sand, polish, buff, paint and/or apply coatings to the complex three-dimensional edge. The finishing apparatuses move about the track such that the three-dimensional edge of the part can be polished. The path of the track can substantially match, mimic or otherwise correspond to the path of the three-dimensional edge, such that special requirements for the finishing apparatuses are not required.

Complex geographical edge polishing

Growing community of inventors

Fjerdingby, Norway

Thomas Johannessen