Motorola has entered into a multi-year development agreement with South Carolina-based 3D Systems to manufacture core parts using 3D printing for its recently announced modular phone.
In October, the Google-owned manufacturer announced Project Ara, an initiative that creates a free, open and standardised platform to let people pick and choose the components they want in their phones. The goal is to create a standard endoskeleton, or frame, that can hold different modules, like extra-powerful processors or additional batteries.
As part of this agreement, 3D Systems will substantially expand its multi-material printing capabilities, including conductive and functional materials. In a statement released by 3D Systems, the company says it plans to combine additive and subtractive manufacturing methods, and deliver an integrated high-speed production platform. Pending successful completion of the development phase, 3D Systems is expected to manufacture 3D-printed Ara smartphone enclosures and modules as Motorola's exclusive fulfilment partner.
According to the statement, Project Ara was conceived to build a platform that empowers consumers with customisation for a product made by and for the individual.
Avi Reichental, president and CEO of 3D Systems, says 3D printing promotes a level of sustainability, functionality, and mass personalisation that turns these kinds of global ambitions into attainable local realities.
"Project Ara combines two exponential technologies, and we expect that the resulting high-throughput advanced manufacturing platform will have far-reaching implications on the entire digital thread that stitches together the factory of the future," he says.
Regina Dugan, senior VP and head of Motorola's Advanced Technology and Projects group, says Project Ara requires technical advances in areas such as material strength and printing with conductive inks for antennas. "And those advances must support production-level speeds and volumes, which is a natural partnership with 3D Systems."
Motorola and 3D Systems previously partnered on the MAKEwithMOTO tour, a series of make-a-thons at top engineering and design schools aimed at exploiting the power of open, hackable smartphone hardware and 3D printing to begin seeding an open hardware ecosystem.
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