Liquidmetal Technologies Inc (LQMT)

[JoTu]

this one from apple filed 2018/2019

link

[0057] Formation of an engagement feature can include a subtractive process such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and other subtractive processes. In some examples, an engagement feature can be formed by an additive process, such as a deposition process, a spraying process, a 3D printing process, and other similar additive processes. Alternatively, multiple processes can be used to form the engagement feature or features.

[0060] In some examples, the interior or inner portion of the composite member can include any material that has a desired material property or properties and can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined to an exterior portion. For example, the interior portion can include organic materials such as polymeric materials, ceramic materials, metallic materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the interior portion can include a metallic material such as aluminum, copper, steel, or alloys or combinations thereof. In some examples, the interior portion can include a metallic material having a foamed structure or a bulk metallic glass. In some examples, the interior portion can itself be a composite material, such as a carbon reinforced polymer material, ceramic reinforced polymer material, a metal matrix composite material, a ceramic matrix composite material, or other composite materials. The interior portion can have any desired thickness. For example, the interior portion of the composite member can have a thickness of several millimeters. In other examples, however, the interior portion of the composite member can have a thickness such that it extends substantially entirely across an entire width of the electronic device.

[0061] In some examples, the exterior or outer portion of the composite member can include any material that has a desired material property or properties and can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined to an interior portion. For example, the exterior portion can include organic materials such as polymeric materials, ceramic materials, metallic materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the exterior portion can include a metallic material such as steel, titanium, or alloys or combinations thereof. In other examples, the exterior portion can include precious or semi-precious metals such as silver, gold, platinum, or alloys or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the exterior portion can include ceramic materials, such as alumina or sapphire, zirconia, carbides, nitrides, borides, oxides, or combinations thereof. The exterior portion can further include a metallic material such as a bulk metallic glass. In some examples, the exterior portion can itself be a composite material, such as a carbon reinforced polymer material, ceramic reinforced polymer material, a metal matrix composite material, a ceramic matrix composite material, or other composite materials.

[0074] The positioning apparatus can mechanically engage the boss or bosses, for example, by grabbing, clamping, or engaging with one or more engagement features of a boss. In some examples, the positioning apparatus can additionally or alternatively engage a boss by other forms, for example, magnetic engagement, gluing, adhesives, welding, and other engagement methodologies. In some examples, a feature can be formed in the frame member, for example, while the positioning apparatus is supporting the member via one or more bosses. In some examples, a feature can be formed by an additive manufacturing process, a subtractive manufacturing process, or combinations thereof. For example, a feature can be formed in the member by a subtractive process such as machining, etching, laser- based processes, cutting, grinding, and other subtractive processes. In other examples, a feature can be formed in or on the member by an additive process, such as a deposition process, a 3D printing process, and similar additive processes. In yet other examples, multiple processes can be used to form a feature or features in the member. Further, multiple features can be formed in or on the member.

[0140] In some examples, a stage of the treatment at block 930 can affect or substantially affect only the material of one of the interior or exterior portions. In other examples, however, the part of the surface defined by one of the interior or exterior portions can be masked or otherwise treated so that a stage of the treatment only affects or forms features on the unmasked, or untreated portion. In alternative examples, however, the treatment can form an engagement feature or features on a part of the surface defined by both the interior portion and the exterior portion. The treatment at block 930 can include a subtractive treatment process or processes, such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and similar subtractive processes. In some examples, the treatment at block 930 can include an additive process, such as a deposition process, a thermal spraying process, a 3D printing process, and other similar additive processes. In some examples, the treatment at block 930 can include multiple processes to form the engagement feature or features.

[0148] At block 1120, a feature or features are formed in the member while orienting the member via the boss. In some examples, a positioning apparatus can mechanically or otherwise engage the boss to support, orient, and position the member at block 1120. The positioning apparatus can position the member in any number of desired orientations via the boss or bosses. In some examples, the positioning apparatus can hold the member in one position or orientation while a feature is formed at block 1120. In other examples, however, a positioning apparatus can move the member between any number of different positions and orientations while the feature is formed at block 1120. The feature can include any desired shape or size, and can be any of the features described herein, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. In some examples, the feature can be formed by an additive manufacturing process, a subtractive manufacturing process, or combinations thereof. For example, the feature can be formed in the member by a subtractive process such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and similar subtractive processes. Alternatively, the feature can be formed in or on the member by an additive process, such as a deposition process, a 3D printing process, and other similar additive processes. In some examples, multiple processes can be used to form the feature. Furthermore, multiple features can be formed in or on the member at block 1120.