3D Printed Titanium Mesh Introduces New Approach to Lightweight Structural Design
Watch brand MING has launched Polymesh, a bracelet-strap hybrid made from 3D printed titanium. It is produced using laser powder bed fusion and demonstrates how additive manufacturing can create flexible and lightweight structures.
Single-piece construction
MING prints Polymesh as one continuous part instead of assembling it from separate links. The structure contains 1,693 interlocking elements that move independently without screws or pins. Thanks to tolerances as fine as 70 microns, the bracelet provides textile-like flexibility while maintaining the long-term durability of metal.
Material behaviour guided by geometry
The bracelet uses Grade 5 titanium, which offers a high strength-to-weight ratio and strong resistance to corrosion. At the same time, the open mesh geometry distributes pressure evenly and adapts to the wrist. Instead of relying on traditional assembly, the bracelet achieves its mechanical behaviour purely through geometry. Therefore, it highlights how 3D printing can replace conventional engineering methods.
Design potential and lifecycle impact
Polymesh marks a shift from 3D printing as a prototyping method to a final-product manufacturing technique. The ability to print thousands of moving parts in a single production step opens new opportunities for ergonomic wearables, adaptive interiors and lightweight mobility applications.
The manufacturing process produces almost no offcut waste. In addition, titanium supports a long service life.
Collaboration and development process
MING developed Polymesh together with Italian additive manufacturing company Sisma and Swiss finishing specialist Pro Motion SA. The bracelet is currently available in a 20 mm size and designed for MING’s own watch models. However, future variations are already in development.
Polymesh acts as a practical example of how additive manufacturing can create functional structures that cannot be made with traditional machining.
Source & photos: MING