Company visit: PIM International, Vol.4 No. 2 June 2010, pages 41-47, 2783 words

Author: Bernard Williams, Consultant, Shrewsbury, UK

Singapore, with its modern skyscraper skyline, epitomises the rapid ascendance of the Asian Tigers into highly developed economies. Metal injection moulding has benefited from this growth, particularly in relation to the dominant consumer electronics sector.

In Singapore’s case, the success of MIM is due in no small measure to the standards set by Advanced Materials Technologies (AMT).

Bernard Williams reports on his recent visit to the company that was one of the first MIM producers in the region, and which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Introduction

The Republic of Singapore, an independent island state with nearly five million inhabitants, is situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is strategically located at the junctions of major sea trading routes in South East Asia and the region’s huge economic expansion over the past three decades, combined with a well educated, skilled and industrious population, has combined to establish Singapore as an economic powerhouse of an importance that is disproportionate to its small geographical size.

The two dominant sectors which have helped to drive the country’s growth since its independence from its neighbour Malaysia in 1965 are the service sector, which accounts for around 65% of GDP, and the manufacturing sector which accounts for a further 26%. Electronics related industries, for which the country is internationally renowned, make up nearly 30% of manufacturing output........

Further sections of this article include

- AMT, the evolution

- Manufacturing facilities

- Materials

- Expanding horizons through innovation

- Ceramic Injection Molding

- Outlook

Figures and Tables:

Fig. 1 The modern skyline of Singapore epitomises the country’s desire to be one of the technology leaders in the rapidly growing region of South East Asia

Fig. 2 AMT’s 44,000 ft2 plant in Tuas Lane has the capacity to produce 500 tonnes of MIM and CIM components annually

Fig. 3 David Lau, General Manager (left) and CheeHoo Liang, Senior Manager, Technology (right), host PIM International on its visit in February 2010

Fig. 4 Two of the tiny MIM parts produced by AMT and used in the first 1.8 inch
miniaturised hard disk for computers. The parts won a MPIF Grand Prize in 1993

Fig. 5 Injection moulding lines at the AMT facility

Fig.6 Thermal debinding section at AMT

Fig. 7 Unloading one of the vacuum sintering furnaces

Fig. 8 Part of the quality control section at AMT

Fig. 9 Visual check being carried out on a MIM part

Fig. 10 This single complex MIM part made from Fe50:Ni50 powder replaced 4 parts previously used in a control valve

Fig.11 Stainless steel mechanical connector produced to incorporate the body base and centre shaft as an integral MIM component

Fig. 12 Fibre optic transceiver housing with thin walls made from 17-4 PH stainless steel used in telecoms equipment

Fig. 13 17-4 PH stainless steel MIM connector for fibre-optic module. The overall size of the housing is 42 mm x 14 mm x 16 mm

Fig. 14 AMT uses an Fe-Co-Ni alloy to produce this complex multi-port housing used in fibre-optic networks

Fig. 15 Heat sinks produced by AMT’s cuMIMTM technology have thermal conductivities comparable to copper barstock

Fig. 16 Complex shaped MIM electrical connectors used in a plug and adaptor for household appliances using cuMIMTM technology

Fig. 17 Hinge assembly of two MIM parts – a shaft and a plate – used on a mobile phone

Fig. 18 MIM flip slider and hinge barrel parts which made up the dual-hinge opening mechanism on a Motorola mobile phone

Fig. 19 AMT is capable of co-injection two different types of materials such as the non-magnetic disk and the magnetic shaft on this MIM part

Fig. 20 AMT’s ‘In-CoringTM’ makes possible the production of MIM parts with undercuts and internal channels

Fig. 21 Ceramic injection moulded parts for fuel cell applications. AMT is also producing complex coloured CIM parts