Taiwan-based Digitimes reports that hinge makers are set to expand their Metal Injection Moulding capacity in 2019 to satisfy increasing demand from notebook vendors, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

Digitimes stated that after Apple adopted MIM hinges for its MacBook series products, other brand vendors have also begun using similar types of hinges for their devices, significantly boosting demand. In addition to notebooks, MIM hinges have also been used in many other types of 3T product, including the Apple AirPods’ charging box.

Sources stated that these hinges are supplied by Taiwan-based Shin Zu Shing (SZS) and a US-based maker. SZS had a total of thirty-four batch furnaces and two continuous furnaces for MIM production before installing four more batch furnaces at the end of December 2018. SZS’s MIM hinge business currently comprised 10% of the company’s overall revenues.

The report also stated that Jarllytec, again based in Taiwan, has increased its MIM furnace capacity and is planning to add two MIM batch furnaces in 2019. The furnaces’ construction already began in January and testing of the facilities will start in March, with production expected in the third quarter. In addition to the seven in-house furnaces, it was reported that Jarllytec has another seven externally-contracted batch furnaces to boost its overall output.