EPMA award entries highlight the diversity of Europe’s MIM industry. Photo © PIM International

Entries submitted to the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) 2010 Awards Competition by Europe’s MIM producers demonstrate well the technology’s acceptance by a wide range of end-user sectors.

Schunk Sintermetalltechnik GmbH, Germany, submitted a sensor housing (A) for distance sensors in automotive bumpers.

This unusual shaped part required a flawless visual surface in the collar area. Made from carbonyl iron, this part weighs 10g and is 26mm long.

Mimest Spa, Italy, submitted a large 260g MIM photographic tripod component (B). Manufactured from 316L for corrosion resistance, this part is resized after sintering and machined to remove supports and create the thread. Finished height is 65mm

Parmaco Metal Injection Molding AG, Switzerland, submitted five MIM components to the awards competition. Three of these are for a “Jet Protector” law enforcement device.

The latch (C, 60mm length), counter plate (D, width 35mm) and striker (E, length 35mm) are all manufactured from 7%NiFe.

Parmaco also submitted a neck link part for a diagnostic device (F, height 22mm) manufactured from 316L and weighing 15.91g, and a small 316L lock component (G) weighing just 0.265g.

Seen together, these MIM parts demonstrate the size range of MIM technology. The smallest part (centre front) is the award winning OBE spectacle frame part, and weighs only 0.028g and is less than the size of a match head. The largest part (rear left) weights 260g. Photo © PIM International