Liquidmetal Technologies Inc (LQMT)

[truetrue]

Engel's video is impressive.

Steipp said LQMT and Engel co-developed the equipment so LQMT alloy can be used to make parts MUCH faster than APPLE's current CNC method. SO, does APPLE factor the lower final CE price point attainable with MIM vs. CNC moving forward or does APPLE stay rooted in the past?

APPLE invested over $1 billion to add CNC equipment in 2007-2009 for their aluminum cases and parts.

If APPLE buys into LQMT alloys for more parts and cases they'll purchase a large qty. of $250K Engel machines, one of LQMT's partners. Liquidmetal will see commi$$ions / revenue$ from Engel by selling their turn-key machines to APPLE.

APPLE has not (publicly) invested in their own version of "Engel" machines. They relied on a die-cast machine to make a SIMM card removal tool.

Engel machines are MUCH less expensive, faster and give better tolerances and results than die-casting equipment.

Also: The upfront expense$ of LQMT designing mold$ and working with Visser making molds and prototype$ is not free...that is a line item for LQMT "Q" revenues.

Lastly: LQMT certified alloy powder supplier "Materion" will see revenues if Apple buys the alloy powder feedstock from them. Materion has jointly improved the process and pays a license fee to LQMT for it's product$.

APPLE may go in-house (so to speak) for the alloy by using "Foxxcon". BUT other LQMT customers won't have that access.