Apple’s recent launch of the MacBook Pro M4 has drawn widespread attention, not only for the tech giant’s latest advancements but also for showcasing how pervasive 3D printing is in real-world applications. The launch video, unveiled by CEO Tim Cook, shows both standard polymer and large-scale construction printed components, highlighting the increasingly pervasive role of additive manufacturing (AM) in today’s design landscape. This use of 3D printing also aligns with Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and technology, presenting its products as integral to a flexible, mobile, and tech-driven lifestyle.
In this latest MacBook Pro M4 campaign, Apple collaborated with KindDesigns, a pioneering company in sustainable manufacturing and marine environmental protection. Through KindDesign’s 3D-printed structures, Apple’s video emphasizes how 3D printing is not only reshaping product design but also contributing to meaningful environmental and infrastructural advancements. This partnership reveals how Apple aligns its brand with eco-conscious and cutting-edge practices, positioning the MacBook Pro M4 as a product for environmentally aware, digitally active users.
Manufacturing on Demand
3D Printing in Apple’s design process
Apple has long been celebrated for its attention to detail and dedication to aesthetics, and 3D printing has played a critical role in this journey. The collaboration with KindDesigns underscores Apple’s interest in sustainability-focused partnerships. The company’s flagship product, Living Seawalls, uses AM to produce modular tiles that protect coastlines while supporting biodiversity. By fostering marine habitats, these printed seawalls offer an innovative solution to rising sea levels, benefiting both environmental ecosystems and coastal communities.
KindDesigns employs a multidisciplinary team of engineers, designers, researchers, and material scientists who work to create practical, sustainable solutions for vulnerable coastal areas. Its projects span Living Seawalls, Kind Tiles, and Artificial Reefs, each contributing to the company’s overarching goal of fortifying coastlines and restoring marine habitats. These products are designed to be both environmentally and economically sustainable, making KindDesigns a natural partner for Apple as it explores sustainable practices within its supply chain.
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Apple’s use of 3D printing
While its use of AM in product development is well known (along with several registered patents), last year we revealed how Apple is rumored to be using metal 3D printing to serially manufacture Apple Watch cases. Now the company is exploring (at least from a marketing point of view) at construction 3D printing capabilities and it is not the first large company to do so. A couple of years ago Space X also tested construction 3D printing to build an extension to its Texas Starbase.
Apple’s choice to spotlight 3D printing in its MacBook Pro M4 launch highlights the versatility of AM and its potential for broader industry application. Beyond rapid prototyping, 3D printing enables companies to produce end-use parts, reduce material waste, and achieve a higher degree of customization. The partnership with KindDesigns adds a new dimension to this narrative, showing how AM can be leveraged for environmental protection and community resilience.
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Author: Davide Sher
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