# US 9,518,333 B2 · Assembled integral plastic elements on an anodized mobile device enclosure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,333 B2 - Document ID: US9518333B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/503,009 - Filed: 2014-09-30 - Published: 2016-03-31 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-30 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Stefan C. Mag; Derek C. Krass; Nicholas G. Merz; Daniel W. Jarvis; Matthew P. Rao; Vincent Yan; Michael Ngo; Richard Hung Minh Dinh; Thomas Johannessen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518333B2 ## CPC - C25D 11/022: {Anodisation on selected surface areas} - B23K 26/322: involving coated metal parts (using absorbing layers on the workpiece B23K26/18) - B32B 37/02: characterised by a sequence of laminating steps, e.g. by adding new layers at consecutive laminating stations - C25D 11/02: Anodisation - C25D 11/04: of aluminium or alloys based thereon - C25D 11/243: {using organic dyestuffs} - C25D 11/26: of refractory metals or alloys based thereon - C25D 11/30: of magnesium or alloys based thereon - C25D 11/34: of metals or alloys not provided for in groups C25D11/04 - C25D11/32 - B23K 2103/08: Non-ferrous metals or alloys - B29C 65/7847: {using vacuum to hold at least one of the parts to be joined (vacuum work holders in general B25B11/005)} - C25D: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract Methods and systems for manufacturing composite parts that include anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions such that an interface between the anodizable portions and non-anodizable portions are free of visible defects are described. The non-anodizable portions can be made of anodizable metals such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The non-anodizable portions are made of material that do not generally form an anodic film, such as plastic, ceramic or glass materials. In particular, the methods described relate to manufacturing methods that are compatible with anodizing processes and avoid defects related to anodizing processes. In particular embodiments, the methods involve avoiding trapping of anodizing chemicals within a gap between an anodizable portion and a non-anodizable portion, which prevents the anodizing chemicals from disrupting the uptake of dye in a post-anodizing dyeing process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing an enclosure that includes a non-anodizable portion coupled with an anodizable portion, the method comprising: co-machining a surface of the non-anodizable portion with a surface of the anodizable portion such that the surface of the non-anodizable portion cooperates with the surface of the anodizable portion to form a curved surface; decoupling the non-anodizable portion from the anodizable portion; subsequent to the decoupling, anodizing the anodizable portion, thereby forming an anodic film on the anodizable portion; and securing the non-anodizable portion with the anodizable portion such that the curved surface is reformed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-anodizable portion is positioned within a pocket of the anodizable portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising dyeing the anodic film. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the curved surface is a spline shaped surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a first pressure in a first direction to the non-anodizable portion such that the surface of the anodizable portion is in an inset position with respect to the surface of the non-anodizable portion; and applying a second pressure in a second direction opposite the first direction to the non-anodizable portion such that the curved surface is reformed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the second pressure is a vacuum suction pressure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising: prior to applying the second pressure, positioning the enclosure adjacent a datum surface having a shape corresponding to the curved surface of the enclosure, wherein applying the second pressure comprises aligning the surface of the anodizable portion and the surface of the non-anodizable portion with the datum surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to securing the non-anodizable portion with the anodizable portion, applying an adhesive between the non-anodizable portion and the anodizable portion such that the non-anodizable portion adheres to the anodizable portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a support piece positioned adjacent the non-anodizable portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the non-anodizable portion is coupled with the support piece with an adhesive. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the non-anodizable portion is coupled with the support piece using a welding process. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, the non-anodizable portion is coupled with the support piece with one or more fasteners. ### Claim 13 A method of manufacturing an enclosure for a consumer product that includes a non-anodizable portion and an anodizable portion, the method comprising: positioning the non-anodizable portion within a pocket of the anodizable portion; removing a portion of the non-anodizable portion and the anodizable portion such that the non-anodizable portion and the anodizable portion cooperate to form a curved surface; removing the non-anodizable portion from the pocket; subsequent to the removing, forming an anodic film on the anodizable portion; and reforming the curved surface by securing the non-anodizable portion within the pocket. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: dyeing the anodic film prior to securing the non-anodizable portion with the anodizable portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the non-anodizable portion is comprised of at least one of polycarbonate, ABS, PEI, PPSU, PS, or PEEK. ### Claim 16 A method of manufacturing an enclosure for a consumer product, the enclosure including a non-metal portion and a metal portion, the method comprising: positioning the non-metal portion adjacent the metal portion; forming a contoured surface by co-machining the non-metal portion and the metal portion, wherein the contoured surface includes a non-metal surface of the non-metal portion and a metal surface of the metal portion; decoupling the non-metal portion and the metal portion; subsequent to the decoupling, forming an anodic film on the metal surface; and coupling the non-metal portion with the metal portion such that the contoured surface is reformed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the contoured surface has a spline shape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein positioning the non-metal portion adjacent the metal portion comprises: adhering the non-metal portion with the metal portion using an adhesive. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the non-metal portion is positioned within a pocket of the metal portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein coupling the non-metal portion with the metal portion includes positioning the contoured surface against a datum surface having a shape corresponding to the contoured surface.