The demand for small, precision, high volume components has allowed MIM to thrive in the electronics sector 

The electronics industry is a major user of MIM parts, accounting for nearly 50% of parts sales in Asia. Connectors of complex geometry are now staple MIM products, and the miniaturisation of electronic devices calls for ever smaller parts with better performance at lower cost. This is where MIM can put forward its strengths.

Fibre-optic parts

These thin-wall (<1mm or 0.04 in.) intricate fibre optic transceiver housings are made from 17-4 PH stainless steel.

The parts are used in a parallel optical module for ultra-high-speed transceivers in networking and telecom equipment.

In addition to the very thin walls the MIM housing has four thin legs supporting two parallel strips.

Cold plates and heatsinks

This MIM copper cold plate design leverages on the full benefits of the MIM process. It has shape complexity capability that gives the designer the maximum flexibility in design concept such as the intricate oval shaped pin geometry which provides optimal thermal performance.

The sheer number of small pins, at 279, to be packed within a small confined space, maximises the overall surface area and hence optimises the thermal efficiency.

In this aspect, it provides the thermal performance of the MIM cold plate with an added competitive edge when compared with other manufacturing processes. 
 

A mobile phone flip slider and hinge barrel are two MIM parts which make up a dual-hinge opening mechanism allowing a clamshell style phone cover to slide up and down and flip open in a single movement.

The parts are made from high strength 17-4 PH stainless steel and the MIM process allowed very complex thin wall, overhanging structures and a 3D design with no level sitting side (Fig. 25).

Next page: Applications IV: The Aerospace Industry