Apple-branded Full-Frame and Medium-Format Cameras plus Super-fast 3D Printers and User-Friendly A.I.-assisted CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA Software Coming Soon!

PART 1:

Here is a "leak" about Apple's upcoming 3D printer products which I received via an anonymous online messaging platform during the middle of the keynote presentation at the Apple WWDC (Wordwide Developers Conference) on Monday, May 10, 2024. I received this message via an online web-app that deletes messages and disables the screen capture function and disables the text cut & paste functions when you receive them. You have only a few minutes to read and copy the post before it deletes the original message. I DO NOT KNOW the original messenger so I have no details as to that as it is kept secret and is anonymized by the originating software. I am assuming if Apple's legal department WANTED to find out where it came from they could always get a Subpoena from my internet provider and see where the IP addresses came from. I use so many web-apps day-to-day, even I don't remember what I was running at the time so I could not actually SAY or TELL anyone else what specific web-based online app I was using or even the website name. I usually keep 50 web browser windows/tabs open at a time so it's a mystery even to me! I only type about 40 words a minutes and up to 60 in small bursts so I was concentrating on typing furiously since I know I only have a few minutes before the message is gone! And NO I DO NOT HAVE a smartphone screen snapshot because my phone wasn't closeby at the time and I was too busy typing a copy of what I was seeing into Windows Notepad! The below is simply a reformat and spelling-corrected copy of what I saw on-screen and it is the only copy I have. I did do some editorializing of the information but the basic facts about size, cost and features of the upcoming Apple 2D/3D cameras and their 3D printers are what was actually sent to me.

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Monday, June 10, 2024

Apple’s Next Big Thing is Full-Frame and Medium-Format 2D/3D cameras plus Super-Fast Plastic, Metal and Ceramic Powder Deposition 3D Printers and User-Friendly A.I.-assisted CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA software -- Canon, Sony, Stratasys and CATIA should be worried big time!

There is now an "insider confirmation" of a long-rumored set of Apple-branded full-frame and medium-format-size CMOS sensor 2D/3D cameras at DCI-8K video resolutions and 64 megapixel still photos recording at 16-bits per RGB colour channel and Alpha/Depth channel bit-widths (i.e. 64-bits per RGB+D pixel colour depth!) which have interchangeable single-lens and stereoscopic lenses along with built-in pixel-by-pixel, frame-by-frame LIDAR/SONAR/RADAR depth scan metadata recording (in mm, cm, metres and km measurements!) that will be used for fast 3D scanning of real world objects and local large and small environments used within AR/VR production AND for 3D printing purposes. The rumoured OEM supplier is SIGMA of Japan for both the camera body and all its Apple-branded prime/zoom lenses! This means Apple is developing DSLR-like cameras AND Stereoscopic cameras (i.e. for 3D imaging!) that will be Hollywood Cinema-quality!

Previous leaks have indicated a 120 fps frame rate and proper 8192 by 4320 pixel video frame resolution at 1.89:1 cinema production aspect ratio and 3:2 aspect ratio 64 megapixel still photos at 9216*6912 pixels RAW 64-bits per RGB+Depth pixel as per other rumours/leaks I have discussed in earlier posts! The 3D depth scan metadata recorded for every pixel for every video frame and every still photo plus 3D-XYZ orientation in degrees decimal and frame-by-frame GPS Lat/Long/Elevation data recording is also from a previous revelation! The full-frame and medium-format cameras are rumoured to use Sigma's Vertically-Stacked RGB Foveon image sensor technology so as to have a high resolution and high sensitivity so that a Bayer pattern is NOT NEEDED for still photo and video recording! There are to be dual lens Stereoscopic versions of the cameras to allow for use in 3D imagery such as that used for Apple's Vision Pro AR/VR glasses. The real-time depth scanning makes it easier to create high-frame-rate 3D virtual environments for AR/VR and allows for easy creation and modification of digital copies of real-world objects and environments.

Since Monday, June 10, 2024 is the first day of the Apple WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference), my “Inside Sources” have suddenly become very, very specific as to significant and very pointed details on Apple’s “Next Big Thing” of 3D printing.

I have been made aware of some highly-specific details on the newest items within Apple’s Research and Development pipeline and this includes super-fast plastic resin 3D printing, powdered metal 3D printing and powdered ceramic 3D printing machines plus user-friendly and A.I.-assisted 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design), CAM (Computer Aided Machining), CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and Simulation software that Apple has been actively working on since 2013 and has recently accelerated development as of 2021. The first Apple patents on 3D printing technology were filed in 2013, 2015 and 2018.

There are current prototypes of Apple printers deeply hidden within Apple headquarters which have been printing various consumer-oriented and industrial test items such as 3D printed Apple-logoed running shoes seen worn by Apple engineers and both large and small fantasy/science fiction figurines and props also seen within Apple engineer workspaces and an entirely-printed-in-3D-metal fully-working V8 race car engine!

My sources have now “confirmed” very specific volumetric maximum print size descriptions assigned to a set of printers to be sold by Apple and my sources have also “confirmed” various print speeds along with introductory materials used for said 3D printers which will be the fastest seen yet of their types.

There is a new 3D print-head technology designed in-house by Apple that is applicable to plastic resin, metal powder and ceramic powder internally codenamed “JetStream” which has a very fine plastic, metal and ceramic powder that is jetted through fine-tipped nozzles that instantly melt/vaporize micro-droplets onto high-resolution computer-controlled 3D-XYZ coordinates on a rotating table via pulsed laser technology that deposits said micro-particle-sized plastic, metal or ceramic powder onto the table layer-by-layer using MULTIPLE PRINT HEADS which increase print speeds many-fold over other technologies. My sources have said that Apple has perfected state-of-the-art multi-head multi-colour plastic resin printing and multi-head metal and ceramic powder printing systems that have insane print speeds over competing products.

The below items are the following types and volumetric print sizes seen at Apple headquarters which will be targeted at specific audiences:

a) 200 mm by 200 mm by 200 mm print-sizes plastic and metal powder 3D printers for home/small office/educational users

b) 400 mm by 400 mm by 400 mm print-sizes plastic and metal powder 3D printers for small-business/office-oriented/commercial warehouse 3D printing

c) 800 mm by 800 mm by 800 mm print-sizes plastic and metal powder 3D printers for industrial/commercial scale fast 3D printing

d) 1500 mm by 1500 mm by 1500 mm print-sizes plastic and metal plastic and metal powder 3D printers for industrial/commercial scale fast 3D printing

The 200 mm and 400 mm 3D multi-colour plastic-resin 3D printers will be introduced and sold first and the larger plastic powder and the metal and ceramic powder 3D printers in all sizes will be introduced/sold at later dates.

I have been told the very specific print speeds that will apply to all the plastic resin printers which are 90 cubic millimetres per second sustained across the initial plastic powder types of PLA (Polylactic Acid), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) and Nylon. Other plastic powder types will be made available at later dates.

Part 2 is below.
 
PART 2: Apple-branded Full-Frame and Medium-Format Cameras plus Super-fast 3D Printers and User-Friendly A.I.-assisted CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA Software Coming Soon!

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It is interesting to note that the 800 mm and 1.5 metre box-sized 3D printers are aimed at larger industrial-scale 3D printer sizes which means Apple is directly targeting the major industrial-level 3D printer manufacturers of the world such as Stratasys, MakerGear, SPEE3D and MarkForged! Apple looks to overtake them all right on their home turfs!

The very small size of the nano-ball-sized powders which are super-heated and melted by multiple print-threads also allow very high resolution which has been noted to be down to 50 microns (0.05 mm) at the 90 cubic millimetres per second print rates which is an ASTOUNDING achievement! This high resolution creates smooth-surface parts with no visible layer lines. The multi-head/multi-color 3D plastic printers will have the initially available colors of Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Cyan, Magenta, Purple, Orange, Brown, Light Gray, Medium Gray, Dark Gray with other formulation colors to be introduced later. This allows for many colors to be embedded and/or mixed into a given plastic end-product.

The Aluminum powders for the 3D metal printers will be 1060, 3003, 6061 and 7075-series Aluminum powders specially created for fast printing using pulsed laser heating and fast-jetted micro-droplet deposition. Additional Aluminum powder grades such as 5000 and 8000 series will be added later. The Tool Steel grades introduced initially will be A7, D2 and S1 Tool Steels while the Stainless Steel grades will be 303, 316L and 440C series. These metal grades are the most common types used for high-wear and tough parts and they are the most adaptable for fast 3D powder printing. The Copper Powder grades will be B1 and Yellow Brass used for electrical conductivity and for artistic works. The ceramic composite powders will be Silicon Dioxide (Quartz glass), Aluminum Oxide (Alumina), Zirconium Oxide (Zirconia) and Silicon Carbide. Tungsten Carbide ceramic powder and Titanium Alloy powders will be added later.

Print speeds for the multi-head 3D metal and ceramic printers will be up to 5000 cubic centimetres per hour which is insanely fast! And I was told that speed increases for all the plastic, metal and ceramic powder printers can be improved via downloadable BIOS updates for any current and new printing material formulations.

It was conveyed to me that current negotiations between Apple and various metal and plastic powder OEM suppliers are currently undergoing with companies such as Alcoa and Rio-Tinto-Alcan for the Aluminum powders and then Kyocera, AGC and 3M for the ceramics. Stainless Steels will be from Germany, Norway, USA and India plus Copper and Brass powders from USA, Australia and Japan.

There are multiple print heads within each metal powder printer that are each designed for specifically Aluminum, Copper, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and Ceramic powders so that mixed-metal and mixed ceramic powder prints can be facilitated at the same fast printing speeds! I should note that it was not specified how the print heads will be cooled to ensure longevity nor was it conveyed to me the specific means to anneal, cool and/or create thermodynamic stability in the final metal and ceramic powder prints. I was told however, that final metal and ceramic prints were suitable for artistic works, tool-making, automotive, marine and aerospace applications with toughness, longevity, anti-corrosion resistance and thermal stability of plastic, metal and ceramic powder prints being primary development milestones in Apple’s 3D printing strategy. 3D printer cleaning and maintenance strategies were not disclosed to me other than most printing options will be one-button ease-of-use oriented!

In terms of software and supporting hardware, Apple bought a 3rd party CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA application many years ago which has been re-developed in-house for ease-of-use and will have added A.I.-assistant-based design engineering and 3D print optimization so that final prints are made optimally for each end-use application. It was told to me that this new application will have CATIA-level built-in design, modelling and simulation abilities along with Apple App Store and Final Cut Pro ease-of-use so that home-based and small business users can get up to speed quickly on the 3D printing revolution.

One copy of the integrated design and printing software will be included with each 3D plastic and metal printer. Additional software copies for group-based CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA collaboration will be sold at the phenomenally inexpensive price of $799 USD! There will an introductory line of pre-made free plus paid and encrypted 3D models in metal, plastic and ceramic that can be downloaded from the 3D prints section of the Apple App Store. All plastic, metal and ceramic powder supplies will also be ordered online for delivery to customer sites at competitive prices.

The rumored price points for the 3D printers is as follows:

Apple plastic powder 3D printers will be introduced and sold first:

1) 200 mm by 200 mm by 200 mm multi-colour-head plastic powder 3D printer ($1995 USD)

2) 400 mm by 400 mm by 400 mm multi-colour-head plastic powder 3D printer ($3995 USD)

3) 800 mm by 800 mm by 800 mm multi-colour-head plastic powder 3D printer ($7995 USD)

4) 1500 mm by 1500 mm by 1500 mm multi-colour-head plastic powder 3D printer ($19,995 USD)

The above are SIGNIFICANT price-reductions on fast 3D printers that can do 90 cubic millimetres per second when compared to other comparably-sized plastic 3D printers!

Part 3 is below:
 
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Part 3 : Apple-branded Full-Frame and Medium-Format Cameras plus Super-fast 3D Printers and User-Friendly A.I.-assisted CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA Software Coming Soon!

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Metal Powder and Ceramic Powder printers will be coming one year later after the 3D plastic printers:

1) 200 mm by 200 mm by 200 mm multi-head metal and ceramic powder 3D printer ($4995 USD)

2) 400 mm by 400 mm by 400 mm multi-head metal and ceramic powder 3D printer ($9995 USD)

3) 800 mm by 800 mm by 800 mm multi-head metal and ceramic powder 3D printer ($24,995 USD)

4) 1500 mm by 1500 mm by 1500 mm multi-head metal and ceramic powder 3D printer ($49,995 USD)

These will be the most expensive products introduced by Apple yet BUT the actual costs when compared to current 3D printing systems is significantly cheaper and will be much faster printing due to recent Apple innovations in 16-head and 64-head pulsed-laser-based super-heated micro-droplet plastic, metal and ceramic powder deposition technology! The consumable prices were not disclosed to me other than saying that they would be competitive and will have a very affordable initial introduction price upon upon initial printer sale. (i.e. a big box of consumables is included with initial 3D printer purchase!)

The current estimate made internally by Apple itself of its anticipated 3D plastic and metal printing marketshare is a likely $200 Billion USD per year rising to $450 Billion per year when Apple-branded 3D printers and consumables for multi-color plastic and extended product line metal and ceramic powder sales are fully accounted for by home/office and commercial/industrial users!

In terms of a timeline, it could be as soon as this late year 2024 that some sort pre-announcement is made by Apple. My internal sources say that 3rd quarter 2025 is a possible official introduction date for the first two Apple-branded plastic powder super-fast 3D printers.

SPECIAL NOTES:

This is not the first time I had heard of rumours and leaks indicating that Apple employees were seen wearing 3D printed footwear with Apple logos on them BUT the real takeaway is that that Apple-branded footwear, figurines, model aircraft, working engines and other 3D prints were created SOLELY BY IN-HOUSE DESIGNED AND MADE Apple-branded 3D printers! The fact they were BRANDED with actual Apple logos indicates a sophisticated level of fit and finish indicating significant research and development progress! It also means Apple is getting READY to start the eventual public announcement and marketing onslaught of 3D printers and Apple-branded 2D/3D full frame and medium format cameras since they seem to believe the products and their related software actually ARE READY ENOUGH for public use!

Other rumours also specified these objects were scanned using Apple-branded full-frame and medium-format stereoscopic cameras that have built-in 3D depth scanning which will make it a lot easier to scan real world objects and both small and large real-world environments since the depth scanning system allows for recording depths-from-camera in millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres with decimal values (i.e. floating point values!). This variable depth-sensitivity is probably WHY it was noted that SONAR (sound), LIDAR (light) and RADAR (radio wave)-based scanning sensors are ALL included in the cameras! This lets small items and huge items and massive local environments be scanned in real-time pixel-by-pixel and frame-by-frame for video and still photos! The recording of GPS location (Latitude/Longitude/Elevation) and 3D-XYZ orientation metadata in degrees decimal is also used for VFX work and noting the rotation on all axes where the camera is so that AR/VR objects and local 3D environments can be accurately modelled, processed, filtered, composited and displayed in real-time!

I also note that the $795 price for a functional equivalent of a CATIA or NX level of CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA design and simulation software indicates that Apple thinks that enough current and future engineers, manufacturing companies and design newbies will have no issue spending $795 in order to get $100,000 worth of product development software. I think it's a smart idea! Giving it away would CHEAPEN the Apple brand BUT by specifying that you are getting the equivalent of a full hardware manufacturing design and modeling suite for ONLY $795 rather than spending $100,000+ USD for a full CATIA or NX suite WILL convince buyers to buy the Apple-branded 3D printers and the Apple-branded plastic, metal and ceramic powder consumables! It's a BRILLIANT concept! You get one copy free when you buy each Apple 3D printer but for group collaboration with multiple engineers, management, design employees, students, etc. means you can easily buy extra Apple software copies FOR ONLY $795 rather than the ridiculously expensive licence prices of CATIA or NX! If Apple REALLY wants to take marketshare, offer 30-days or 90-days free-to-test-out terms for the software and/or offer Student pricing such as $295 for a single-user licence. I also note that previous rumours did indicate that NO subscription fee would be charged for the design/simulation software! You buy it once and it's all yours!

If Apple does that type of pricing structure, it will OBLITERATE the marketshare of AutoCAD, Inventor-3D, CATIA, NX and other proprietary design and simulation software, especially if it's as easy to use as a Final Cut Pro and the App Playstore! Plus, by selling pre-made and end-user supplied printable and end-user modifiable design files in the App Store, it will create a MONSTER-SIZE market for 3D printable items. In fact I would Looooooove to buy the file for an Apple-logoed 3D printable running shoe that can be custom fitted for my own foot size!

I also see a huuuuuuge market for officially licenced 3D printable items from Star Wars, Marvel, DC and Disney character models supplied by the studios themselves that are ALLOWED to be modified by the end-user! I would personally WANT an official and ORIGINAL 3D file coming from Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic itself of a Lightsabre or of Yoda or R2D2! Even Nike or Adidas can get in on the action by supplying OFFICIALLY LICENCED 3D printable running shoe or basketball shoe models for end-user download, modification and printing for a perfect fit! Just needs some proper indemnification legalese put into the download terms and conditions for each 3D model! My own custom-sized-and-3D-printed-by-me Air Jordan-23's would be a godsend for the consumer marketplace!

Apple and the 3D model suppliers would make a fortune from the 3D model App Store and end-users get what they want --- aka properly licenced, properly curated and safety-vetted end-user-customizable 3D printable end-products! What's not to like about that?! I also understand from earlier sources that Apple wants to control the ENTIRE pipeline from Image and 3D-model Acquisition to Post Production (i.e. Final Cut Pro and Apple CAD/CAM/CAE/FEA/Simulation software) to end user-sales (App Store, Apple TV, Web Streaming and Apple Vision Pro AR/VR apps).

It looks like to me that Apple wants to emulate Disney and Comcast which make and control ENTIRE production pipelines and end-user consumption environments! I fact, I wouldn't put it past Apple to start even thinking about BUYING ALL OF DISNEY to get its hands on all sort of product IP and end-user destinations that can be rebranded and/or otherwise changed into Apple productization pipelines! If I was Apple management, I would SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT buying ALL of Disney in order to get theme park access for selling Apple products, get animated and real-world character IP to sell 2D/3D static and interactive imagery plus 3D printable models AND get access to production pipelines and production studios that get new types of multimedia made and watched on Apple-branded hardware and software systems!

I really do think the Apple Vision Pro system is the harbinger of an entirely NEW pipeline of Apple multimedia hardware, software and media production companies that will give end-users a locked-in but SAFE AND WELL-CURATED cornucopia of Apple-branded systems and media! Apple-branded 3D printers, 2D/3D cameras and new media production and hardware design/simulation software WILL bring about that "All-Apple, All-The-Time" type of world that Disney started first! Is it good for society in general? Who knows?! All I know is that it looks like Apple-based 2D/3D cinema-quality cameras and Apple-based 3D printing and the related design/simulation software ARE coming sooner rather than later! I'm eager to take a look and maybe take a gander at buying one of those cameras and 3D printers for myself!

We shall see!

We also live in VERY interesting times!

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