Apple Inc. is testing the use of 3D printers to produce the steel chassis used by some of its upcoming smartwatches, according to people with knowledge of the matter, heralding a major change to how the company manufactures products.
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Discussion Questions:
- What is innovation?
- Do you think the 3D printer is an example of innovation? Why or why not?
- Can you think of any examples of products that you have heard of that use 3D printing as part of the manufacturing process?
- Why would Apple be interested in testing 3D printers?
- Why do you think they have been keeping that information private?
- Why do you think they are only testing them for watches?
- What is product development?
- What are manufacturing costs?
- Why might manufacturing costs be a consideration during the product development process?
- What is a product life cycle?
- At what stage in the product life cycle is the Apple Watch?
- Why does Apple regularly introduce new features when new products (devices) launch?