OPPO Uses 3D Printing for Foldable Screen

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April 6, 2026 Applications 9894

OPPO recently launched its new foldable smartphone, the Find N6, with a core hinge system manufactured using 3D printing technology, successfully addressing the long-standing crease issue that has plagued foldable screens.

This technology involves two stages: the hinge body and side plates are 3D printed using Grade 5 titanium; at the same time, a "Liquid 3D Printing" process (stereolithography) is employed, which uses laser scanning to detect microscopic irregularities. A 3D printer then applies droplets of a custom photopolymer in volumes as small as 5 picoliters to fill these irregular areas with surgical precision. This cycle is repeated approximately 20 times to create an ultra-precise support base for the screen.

Thanks to this process, the hinge height has been reduced from 0.2 mm to just 0.05 mm, achieving a 75% improvement in crease flatness, while long-term crease depth has been reduced by 82% compared to previous models. The hinge system has also received TÜV Rheinland certification, proving it can remain perfectly flat even after 600,000 folds.

OPPO stated that this achievement demonstrates that additive manufacturing has become a precision manufacturing technology capable of mass production.