Metal Injection Molding: A dynamic global industry
Powder Injection Molding (PIM), which encompasses Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM), is a major manufacturing technology with sales estimated to be approaching $5 billion a year.
Metal Injection Molded parts production accounts for around 90% of the total market for PIM products, which continues to see annual growth worldwide. Ceramic Injection Molded components account for the balance, along with cemented carbides.
Powder Injection Molding is a truly global business, with many hundreds of parts producers worldwide. According to recent data, Asia is the world’s largest PIM producing region by sales, followed by Europe and North America.
Applications for Metal Injection Molding
Many objects we encounter in everyday life such as cars, smartphones, watches, medical devices, domestic appliances, cameras and power tools contain Metal Injection Molded parts.
So many applications for Metal Injection Molding have been published to-date that it is impossible to give a comprehensive overview, but a number of application examples are provided later in this review that demonstrate the strengths and potential of this technology.
Regional market variations
The differences in markets for Metal Injection Molding by world region is quite distinct with, in general terms, Asia dominated by consumer electronics, North America by medical, orthodontic and firearms applications, and Europe by automotive and consumer products.
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