Additive Drives highlights the Metal Injection Molding of copper bus bar components

Germany’s Additive Drives GmbH, Dresden, has highlighted the potential of the Metal Injection Molding (MIM) of copper for a new generation of electric motors. The development of new electric drive technologies is one of the company’s specialties, and the company most recently reported on the potential of MIM for the production of parts such as bus bars.

It is suggested that MIM’s advantage is its ability to deliver complex designs in series production. However, Additive Drives noted that it has identified the technology as being suited to both simple and highly complex copper components in high quantities of up to several tens of millions per year or more.

For electrical motor designers, the company states that the process enables design approaches such as function integration, mass reduction, and the avoidance of thermal hotspots. Initial studies have shown that the mass can be reduced by at least 40% compared to conventional designs; this enables more compact electric motor solutions and cost savings. In addition, functional elements such as press-fit nuts, special connectors and temperature sensors can be easily integrated to reduce overall manufacturing costs.

Excellent electrical conductivity has been reported, and other physical properties (e.g. density and thermal conductivity) were stated to be very close to those of conventionally drawn copper.

www.additive-drives.de