Apple Granted Full-Color 3D Printer Patent

Apple were recently granted 44 new US patents. One of these included a patent for a “method and apparatus for three-dimensional printing of colored objects”, AKA a full-color Apple 3D printer. This follows Apple being granted a patent back in 2015 for an FDM 3D printer that could print in full-color like XYZprinting have already done.

An Apple 3D Printer to release soon?

Apple’s relationship with 3D printing is not a new one however. The US technology giant sell Ultimaker 3D printers on their websites as ‘iPhone accessories’ to print 3D models. Moreover, Apple’s journey into the market dates back to May 2014, when they applied for their first 3D printing-related patent. This application involved a dual extruder, with one printhead depositing filament, whilst the other colors it.

Drawing’s from the Apple 3D printer application, showing the dual extruders for printing and coloring.

Moreover, the patent went on to describe how Apple planned to color the filament material. Two ways were described, one which involved coloring the filament during the print, and the other just coloring the object once printing had finished. However, in both processes, the color would be encoded within the 3D CAD model.