Inherent advantages of MIM technology

The typical MIM product combines a relatively small size, high complexity of shape, high strength, medium to high surface finish and moderate to close dimensional tolerances.

Being a net-shape process, MIM is most competitive where costly machining operations can be avoided and where the number of parts required is sufficiently high to justify the cost of the mould.

The capability to design complex shapes has often led to new part designs for MIM, combining the functions of a part assembly in a single component.

Be aware of MIM's strengths and limiting factors to maximise your benefits

• The MIM process allows a high degree of automation and is therefore most competitive in volume production.
  
  
• MIM parts can be designed with extremely thin walls, fine bore holes, threads and other details. This helps to save weight and material cost.
  
  
• The competitiveness of MIM is limited by the relatively high raw material cost as compared to cast metals and alloys. This is the main reason why MIM parts are usually rather small, as the material cost of a small part makes up for a smaller portion of the total manufacturing cost.
  
  
• Last, but not least, the process is environmentally friendly and needs less energy input than competing processes.
   
  

The industry today: Diverse, transparent and flexible

In the early days of MIM the entire manufacturing process and know-how, from the raw materials to the final product, was in the hands of a few parts manufacturing companies and kept confidential.

Today this has changed dramatically. There are nearly 400 parts producers worldwide, ranging from small niche operations to major continuous manufacturing plants that are easily able to serve the needs of major users, such as the automotive industry.

Parts producers are in turn supported by a growing number of material suppliers offering ready-to-mould MIM feedstocks, as well as the necessary know-how for processing parts.

Equipment suppliers offer injection moulding machines customised ready for MIM and furnaces can be bought from a range of suppliers that are tailored specifically for MIM processing.  

As a consequence, companies without any previous experience in powder metallurgy, such as plastics injection moulding and investment casting companies have started to enter MIM technology and have been successful. Manufacturers with an established MIM production can also cover temporary capacity shortages by using these services.

Diversification, specialisation and availability of know-how have led to a rapid increase in the number of parts manufacturers, a higher quality of MIM products and a better acceptance of MIM parts in the marketplace and consequently many new MIM products. The markets for MIM parts and the sales volumes of the industry are growing fast.

Further reading

Designing for Metal Injection Moulding
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