Company visit: PIM International, Vol.4 No.1 March 2010, pages 35-41, 2365 words

Authors: Dr Seong Jin Park, POSTECH, South Korea [1] and Dr Yong-Jin Kim, Korea Institute of Materials Science, South Korea [2]

[1] Mechanical Engineering, POSTECH, San 31 Hyoja Dong, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, South Korea
[2] Korea Institute of Materials Science, 66 Sangnamdong Changwon, Kyungnam 641-010, South Korea

Thanks to South Korea’s status as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the country’s PIM industry has become an important force in both component production and R&D. Dr. Seong-Jin Park and Dr. Yong-Jin Kim present a review of the development of PIM in this, the largest of Asia’s ‘Tiger’ economies, and profile a number of the leading part producers. The direction of future R&D work is also addressed.

Korea currently produces more than 100 of the world’s leading products, ranging from electronic and IT to automotive, shipbuilding and heavy industry. Consequently, Korean industry is now moving from a focus on benchmarking itself against the rest of the world to developing and enhancing its production technologies and developing new markets through an ongoing commitment to research.

This review offers an insight into the country’s PIM business along with research activities. Much of the information provided is based on a survey undertaken covering industry, government institutes and universities.

A history of PIM technology in Korea

Powder injection moulding (PIM) was introduced in the middle of the 1980’s when PIM products were starting to be commercialised worldwide. The first PIM company in Korea was Hansuh MIM Tech, established in 1988 after purchasing a license from Carpenter Parmatech Corporation. During this period several researchers returned to Korea to assist and promote the research and development needs of PIM. These researchers included Dr Woon-Hyung Baek, Dr Sang-Ho Ahn and Dr Byung-Ok Rhee.

As the first fruit of their efforts, the ADD (Agency for Defence Development) granted a four year PIM research and development project in 1991, followed by a nine year research program called G7, which was supported by the Korean Ministry of Science and Technology.........

Further sections of this article include:

A history of PIM technology in Korea
PIM in Korea today
Key PIM part producers
- Amphenol Phoenix
- Bestner
- CetaTech
- Hansuh MIM Tech
- Kinori
- Kyerim Metal
- PIM Korea
- PIM Tech
Research and development activities
Outlook for PIM technology

Figures and Tables:

Fig. 1 Development through G7 project; (top left) Tungsten carbide milling insert, (bottom left) W-Cu electronic package, and (right) Filling program for PIM feedstock (Courtesy Dr. Tae-Shik Yoon, Bestner Inc.)

Fig. 2 A breakdown of the main materials processed by the Korean PIM industry

Fig. 3 A PIM micro drill produced by Bestner

Fig. 4 A CIM alumina printer head produced by Bestner

Fig. 5 Two CIM zirconia watches produced by Bestner

Fig. 6 PIMsolver filling simulation (left) and finished Y-shaped copper components used in air conditioning units (right) produced by CetaTech

Fig. 7 MIM dental tips for scaling and endodontic treatment, produced by CetaTech

Fig. 8 A selection of MIM parts produced by Hansuh MIM Tech

Fig. 9 Views of the production facilities at Hansuh MIM Tech. Left a bank of injection moulding machines, centre and right, debinding and sintering furnaces

Fig. 10 Production facilities at Kinori, including, from top, feedstock production, pelletising, injection moulding and the debinding and sintering area

Fig. 11 Various high purity translucent alumina and zirconia CIM components produced by Kinori

Fig. 12 Key management staff at Kinori, left Managing Director Mr. Nam-Woong Kim, centre, CEO Mr Dong-Ho Pyun, and right, Director of R&D Center Mr. Jung-Shik Park

Fig. 13 Quality inspection of MIM turbocharger parts at PIM Korea

Fig. 14 A continuous sintering facility at PIM Korea

Fig. 15 A selection of turbocharger components produced by PIM Korea

Fig. 16 Injection moulding machines for mass production at PIM Korea

Fig. 17 Research activities in modeling and simulation (Courtesy Dr. Seong-Jin Park, POSTECH)

Fig. 18 Research activities in modeling and simulation. (Courtesy Dr. Seong-Jin Park, POSTECH)

Fig. 19 Hierarchical structured stainless steel microMIM part with micro pattern of 50µm (Courtesy Dr. Young-Sam Kwon, CetaTech)

Fig. 20 Hierarchical structured zirconia microCIM part with micro pattern of 100µm. (Courtesy Dr. Young-Sam Kwon, CetaTech)

Table 1 PIM companies in Korea who participated in this survey (in alphabetical order)