Apple releases Watch's CAD drawings to the public
Maybe you are a designer looking to build the next cool Watch wrist band, or an expanded battery accessory that doesn’t make the Apple Watch look like a shackle from a dystopian science fiction flick from the 90s.
Maybe you simply have an interest in the intricate details that make every Apple product’s design, so unique.
No matter the motivation, Apple has recently unveiled the Apple Watch, in all its wireframe glory, in the form of two, highly detailed, CAD schematics, one for the 38mm version, and the other for the 42mm iteration of the Apple Watch.
For those with a trained eye for CAD drawings, these blueprints provide a unique insight into the amount of detail poured into creating this device, both in terms of design, and internal hardware.
One fascinating aspect is the clever way used by Apple in designing round corners for the Watch. The universal way of drawing round corners, involves connecting two perpendicular lines with a perfect quarter of a circumference. That, apparently, is not the case with the Apple Watch, and most likely, with many other products that adopt a similar approach to corners, like the iPhone, the iPad and even MacBooks.
The way Apple draws corners for the Watch is a rather complex array of arcs, calculated to cover a number of different angles. In the particular case of the Watch’s face, it’s possible to count 24 different arcs, calculated in lengths between 6.53mm and 0.06. These specially designed round corners are most likely the result of Apple being proactive in regard to all possible copyright dispute scenario, to leverage the amount of patented details, should any competing manufacturer decide to take issue with one particular detail of the design.
The drawings are also peppered with Keepout warnings, providing information, to keep designers from creating accessories that might obstruct sensors, the crown dial, the charging surface, and the radio transmitter, among the most important elements that may, or may not, be visible or apparent.
If you have an interest in delving into these drawings, this link will lead you to the full PDF document, available from Apple.