Feature article: PIM International, Vol.1 No. 3 September 2007, pages 25-31, 3711 words

Author: Professor Randall M. German, San Diego State University, USA

College of Engineering, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-1326, USA

Introduction

North America was at the forefront of the early development and application of PIM technology, however in recent years market growth has failed to live up to expectations. Professor Randall German reports that the future is now looking good for PIM in North America, thanks in part to the growing acceptance of the technology in the automotive sector.

While putting together this status report on powder injection moulding in North America, the words from Charles Dickens echoed in my mind - 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, …' The experienced practitioners did not say it quite this way, still these opening lines from A Tale of Two Cities probably best condense many conversations into a few words.

This report is on powder injection moulding (PIM) in North America, which is dominated by the activities in the USA. It includes custom and captive moulders, as well as metal, ceramic, and carbide powder variants. However, this treatment ignores other North American net-shaping techniques that are often included under the label of 'metal injection moulding' such as aluminium and zinc die casting and magnesium thixomoulding.

In the early days of PIM, North America dominated the field. However, in the past few years the landscape in PIM parts consumption and production shifted. Like many other products, North America is moving to a substantial reliance on imports - both PIM parts and assemblies containing PIM parts. But that situation might change since currency exchange rates now make it favourable to invest and produce in North America. Another factor having impact on North America is acceptance of PIM by the automotive industry. Several firms report strong growth in that direction. Indeed, it seems almost everyone in the field has at least one 'secret' high production volume project in the works.

To compile this report, a wide cross-section of the industry was interviewed. These conversations repeatedly spoke of recent industry retrenchment, repositioning, but now solid growth prospects. Those companies surviving the economic slow-down are now very conservative. Meanwhile, as PIM firms are purchased by investors the culture is changing from the former technology focus to a financial emphasis... 

Further sections of this article include:

- What happened in 2006?
- What is happening now?
- Future
- Statistics
- Market and application
- Geographic distributions
- Materials
- Strategic moves
- Future prospects
- Technology support: research for economic development