AFT-Hungary, a key European player in Metal Injection Moulding, has navigated industry challenges through strategic adaptation and market diversification. Facing intense price competition, shifting trade policies, and evolving regulations, the company has focused on expanding MIM applications beyond traditional sectors. By identifying new opportunities and refining its manufacturing processes, AFT-Hungary remains competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. Emma Lawn explores the company’s approach to sustaining growth, enhancing efficiency, and overcoming obstacles in today’s demanding manufacturing environment
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The Metal Injection Moulding industry in Asia is experiencing significant shifts in feedstock sourcing and material usage. While BASF’s Catamold remains a key player, competition is growing, reshaping supply chains and production strategies. In this article, Dr Q (Y H Chiou) explores the evolving landscape, examining market and application trends, regional variations, and the increasing role of domestic Chinese feedstock manufacturers. As demand for complex, high-performance MIM parts rises, understanding these changes is essential for industry stakeholders
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Sinter-based Additive Manufacturing has gained significant traction within ASTM’s International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing (ICAM), growing from a niche topic to a major area of discussion. Since its introduction as a dedicated track in 2022, interest in sinter-based AM has expanded rapidly, covering technologies such as Binder Jetting (BJT), Material Extrusion (MEX), Vat Photopolymerisation (VPP), Cold Metal Fusion, and emerging hybrid approaches. In this article, Dr Animesh Bose highlights key presentations and insights from ICAM 2024 that are shaping the future of sinter-based AM.
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From pioneering early industrial gripper systems to mastering Metal Injection Moulding, Germany’s Zimmer Group is today a leader in advanced automation and manufacturing technologies. With operations in 125 countries and a workforce of 1,300, the company produces MIM parts for both internal applications and a growing portfolio of external clients. Dr Georg Schlieper recently visited Dr Natalie Salk to learn about the company’s MIM journey, here he reports on how it has leveraged its expertise in automation to enhance efficiency across its MIM operation
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The 2024 Powder Metallurgy World Congress in Yokohama, Japan, offered an opportunity for the Metal Injection Moulding industry to come together, share market data, and explore emerging trends. The event addressed key issues such as declining sales in major regions, shifts in material demand, and the broader economic and geopolitical challenges affecting the industry. Attendees also explored strategies for innovation, market diversification, and sustainability to drive future growth. Nick Williams shares key data and insight from this important global industry event.
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In September 2024, the 7th International Conference on Powder Metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing of Titanium (PMTi2024) brought together experts from academia and industry in Madrid. Hosted by the Universidad Carlos III, the event featured considered PM titanium’s future, with insights into cost reduction, innovative processes, and material advancements. This article highlights key takeaways, with a particular emphasis on sinter-based processes and their industrial application. Dr Thomas Ebel presents a comprehensive review of the most notable insights.
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Filament-based Material Extrusion (MEX), also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), combines cost efficiency with versatility, enabling the rapid prototyping of complex geometries. When used with Reverse Engineering and digital scanning technologies, could the technology play a role in the supply of discontinued legacy metal parts? Here, Sihan Zhang, Saleh Khanjar, Srimanta Barui, Kameswara Pavan Kumar Ajjarapu, and Kunal Kate from the University of Louisville; Lauren Shackleford of the University of Kentucky; and Andrew Pierce, GE Appliances, report on the process undertaken to produce a discontinued stainless steel helical gear.
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Everyone had high expectations of Binder Jetting. Of all the metal Additive
Manufacturing processes, it suffered from the most hype. What transpired was
the realisation amongst machine vendors that it was harder than expected to ‘get
it right’. However, while public success stories are few and far between, progress
is being made. Azoth is one company that has successfully embraced Binder
Jetting, along with related sinter-based AM processes. With a ‘feet firmly on the
ground’ approach, and a base near Detroit, it has found commercial success in the automotive industry and beyond. Bernard North reports on a recent visit.
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Bosch Advanced Ceramics is a global leader in the production of technical ceramics, serving a variety of industries from automotive to medical devices and the chemical industry. Today, the company sees a bright future in ceramic Additive Manufacturing for the series production of parts in increasingly ambitious volumes. This article will present a case study that clearly demonstrates how, using Lithoz’s AM technology, Bosch Advanced Ceramics has been able to develop a micro-sized medical device component that is now in production with an annual run of 50,000 parts.
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Vacuum debinding and sintering furnaces from Elnik Systems LLC are a common sight in Metal Injection Moulding plants throughout Europe and the Americas. Thanks in part to the technical guidance and training available through its sister company, DSH Technologies, Elnik Systems’ market-leading position has seen it support a multitude of new manufacturing operations. Now, with the rise of sinter-based Additive Manufacturing, the need to meet the high demand for the company’s products has driven a relocation and major expansion. Nick Williams reports for PIM International.
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