MIM2019 conference reflects the convergence of MIM and ‘MIM-like’ AM technologies
March 2, 2019
MIM2019, The International Conference on Injection Molding of Metals, Ceramics and Carbides, took place in Orlando, Florida, from February 25-27. Organised by the Metal Injection Molding Association (MIMA), an association of the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), this year’s conference attracted just over 150 attendees, representing ninety-five companies from fifteen countries. The event once again saw a significant number of delegates from the metal Additive Manufacturing industry, in particular those with a focus on the ‘MIM-like’ Binder Jetting and Fused Filament Fabrication processes.
In addition to technical sessions comprising more than twenty presentations, twenty-eight companies showcased their products and services during a tabletop exhibit. Twenty-three of these exhibitors provided short commercial presentations for their companies intermittently throughout the first day of the conference.
Immediately prior to the MIM2019 conference, a Powder Injection Molding Tutorial was presented by Rand German, Professor Emeritus of San Diego State University, that attracted nearly fifty students. The annual PIM Tutorial gives an opportunity for individuals who are looking for a solid grounding in PIM technology to obtain a comprehensive foundation in a short period of time.
The conference started with a keynote presentation by Robert Dowding, U.S. Army Research Laboratory. The presentation, Development of Particulate Materials and Their Processing for Army and Defense Applications, discussed the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s engagement in the research of materials across all disciplines with the development of metallic compositions as an area of emphasis. The purposes and applications of these alloys range from ballistic protection of vehicles and personnel, armament and projectiles, aviation propulsion, to additive manufacturing in advanced locations was discussed.
The presentation also covered the synthesis of materials including Fe-Ni-Zr, Cu-Ta, and Ni-based alloys with highly stabilised nanocrystalline grain structure, and the fabrication of parts and components from them. High-energy ball milling and other synthesis methods were also discussed, as well as field-assisted sintering technology and Hot Isostatic Pressing. The ARL Open Campus concept for working with and in the U.S. Army Research Laboratory was also presented.
For the third year in a row, MIMA provided seven students with a grant to attend the conference, make a technical presentation and network with professionals in the field. This year’s grant-winning students were:
- Jacob Biddlecom, Clemson University, United States
- Santiago Cano Cano, Montanuniversitat Leoben, Austria
- Nicholas Labodycz, University of Massachusetts, United States
- Monica Martinez, University of Louisville, United States
- Lingbin Meng, Indiana University, Purdue, United States
- Juan Alfonso Naranjo Simarro, UCLM PIM Research Lab, Spain
- Jian Zhang, Indiana University, Purdue, United States
The next event in this series takes place from March 2-4, 2020, in Irvine, California.
