Semiconductor manufacturers increasingly rely on components that can withstand extreme plasma environments while delivering tighter process control and near-zero contamination. To meet these demands, Bosch Advanced Ceramics and Lithoz have transformed a previously two-part injector design into a fully integrated single ceramic component using ceramic Additive Manufacturing. By pairing high-purity alumina with precision AM technology, complex internal geometries could be unlocked, enhancing reliability and performance for advanced wafer production.
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Binder Jetting’s accelerating progress toward industrial production set the tone at Fraunhofer IFAM’s 6th Workshop on Sinter-based Additive Manufacturing, held on October 8-9, 2025, in Bremen, Germany. Alongside Binder Jetting, the programme highlighted advances across the wider family of sinter-based AM processes, with industry and research speakers presenting new applications, cleaner and more stable workflows, and expanding material options. This report, by Fraunhofer IFAM’s Lea Reineke and Michael Norda, reviews the event’s key findings.
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The 21st Plansee Seminar, held in June 2025, provided deep insight into the evolving landscape of sinter-based Additive Manufacturing (AM) for cemented carbides and tungsten heavy alloys. Presentations explored Binder Jetting, Material Extrusion, Direct Ink Writing, and other emerging techniques, with a focus on microstructural control, process–property relationships, and feedstock optimisation. While Binder Jetting remains influential, alternative approaches are gaining traction for finer powders and complex geometries. This article, authored by Bernard North, examines the key technical findings and perspectives shared at the event.
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There is a beauty in ceramics that has captivated us for thousands of years. Today, Additive Manufacturing (AM) is giving this material class renewed appeal by enabling the creation of forms previously impossible to produce, while preserving the mechanical, aesthetic and tactile qualities that make ceramics so valued. A new award-winning Hi-Fi turntable cartridge – developed by HiFiction AG and Steinbach AG using Lithoz GmbH’s AM technology – showcases not only design innovation but also how AM eliminates tooling barriers, making advanced technical ceramics more accessible to smaller businesses.
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The Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) announced the winners of the 2025 Powder Metallurgy Design Excellence Awards at PowderMet2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. This article focuses on award-winning components produced by Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) and sinter-based Additive Manufacturing. The awards recognise advances in efficiency, performance and reliability across industries. Collectively, the winning parts highlight MIM’s growing role in advanced manufacturing, demonstrating how the process combines precision, scalability and design freedom for demanding applications.
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This study compares 17-4 PH stainless steel spur gears produced by Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) and Binder Jetting (BJT), focusing on dimensional accuracy, microstructure, and mechanical performance. As BJT gains traction in China’s manufacturing sector, the authors – Jie Li, Jimin Xu, and Guangfeng Zhong (Vigor Precision Hardware, Dongguan), alongside Yuder Chao and Yauhung Chiou (You Need Enterprise Consulting, Kunshan) – investigate whether BJT can match the precision and reliability of established MIM processes. The results show that while BJT is effective for early–stage prototyping, MIM offers superior consistency for high–precision components.
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With a portfolio of 12,000 MIM components and annual sales exceeding $350 million, INDO-MIM is among the most widely recognised names in the global Metal Injection Moulding industry. Founded in Bangalore in 1997, the company now supplies customers across five continents. In 2017, it established a major facility in San Antonio, Texas, to meet rising demand and strengthen supply chain resilience. Bernard North visited the site for PIM International and reports on its development, strategic significance, and INDO-MIM’s increasing investment in Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing.
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The capabilities of Metal Injection Moulding have transformed the design of hinges, unlocking new possibilities in consumer electronics and beyond. By enabling the production of compact, durable, and highly complex components, the technology has allowed engineers to rethink functionality and aesthetics, especially in devices such as foldable smartphones, laptops, and wearables. In this comprehensive review, Dr Chiou Yau Hung (Dr Q) explores how MIM’s unique advantages have influenced hinge innovation, reshaped product design, and opened new frontiers for mechanical systems.
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Held in Costa Mesa, California, the MIM2025 conference marked a significant moment for the Powder Injection Moulding community – not only for its technical programme and strong industry participation, but for a special symposium dedicated to honouring Prof Randall M German’s six-decade career. The tribute brought together former students, collaborators, and leading global experts to reflect on his scientific legacy and personal influence. Dr Animesh Bose reports from the event, highlighting Prof German’s unparalleled role in the rise of PIM.
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3DEO has risen to become a significant player in metal Additive Manufacturing, producing over 1.5 million parts since 2018 for customers in the aerospace, medical, and semiconductor industries, among others. Uniquely, the company uses its own Intelligent Layering® technology rather than relying on commercially available AM processes such as Binder Jetting. Bernard North visited the company for PIM International and reports on how it has achieved commercial success in an industry where more widely known processes are struggling to make progress
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