Foldable smartphones have long been defined by a persistent flaw: the visible crease that forms along the screen’s bending axis. The article from 3D Printing Industry blog explains how OPPO is addressing this issue through a combination of advanced manufacturing and material innovation, centered on a new 3D-printed hinge system.
At the core of the solution is the company’s second-generation titanium flexion hinge, produced using additive manufacturing techniques. The process begins with high-resolution laser scanning that maps microscopic irregularities across the hinge surface. These imperfections, often as small as 0.2 millimeters, accumulate over repeated folding cycles and gradually deform the display into a permanent ridge.
To eliminate these inconsistencies, OPPO employs what it calls 3D liquid printing. A photopolymer is deposited in tiny droplets into each detected gap, then instantly cured using ultraviolet light. This cycle is repeated more than 20 times, creating an ultra-flat support surface beneath the display. The result is a reduction in surface variation to approximately 0.05 millimeters, significantly lowering the conditions that lead to crease formation.
The hinge is only part of the solution. OPPO pairs it with a specialized display material known as auto-smoothing flex glass, designed to behave like a spring. This material actively resists deformation and helps the screen recover its original shape after folding. Compared with earlier designs, it offers nearly double the shape recovery and substantially greater resistance to long-term wear.
Together, these innovations aim to solve not just the initial appearance of the crease but its persistence over time. By addressing both structural irregularities and material fatigue, the design improves durability across repeated folding cycles.
The development reflects a broader trend in consumer electronics: the use of additive manufacturing to refine components at a microscopic level. In this case, 3D printing is not just a production method but a performance enabler, allowing engineers to engineer precision surfaces that directly influence user experience.