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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Element 22 GmbH has built its reputation on developing efficient ways to manufacture complex titanium components for demanding applications in medicine, aerospace, luxury goods and emerging hydrogen technologies. By leveraging Metal Injection Moulding, sinter-based Additive Manufacturing and carefully controlled finishing processes, the company demonstrates how titanium parts can be produced reliably and at scale. Dr Georg Schlieper recently visited the company for PIM International to explore its processes and ongoing developments.
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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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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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The Metal Injection Moulding industry in Asia is experiencing significant shifts in feedstock sourcing and material usage. While BASF’s Catamold remains a key player, competition is growing, reshaping supply chains and production strategies. In this article, Dr Q (Y H Chiou) explores the evolving landscape, examining market and application trends, regional variations, and the increasing role of domestic Chinese feedstock manufacturers. As demand for complex, high-performance MIM parts rises, understanding these changes is essential for industry stakeholders
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In September 2024, the 7th International Conference on Powder Metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing of Titanium (PMTi2024) brought together experts from academia and industry in Madrid. Hosted by the Universidad Carlos III, the event featured considered PM titanium’s future, with insights into cost reduction, innovative processes, and material advancements. This article highlights key takeaways, with a particular emphasis on sinter-based processes and their industrial application. Dr Thomas Ebel presents a comprehensive review of the most notable insights.
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Filament-based Material Extrusion (MEX), also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), combines cost efficiency with versatility, enabling the rapid prototyping of complex geometries. When used with Reverse Engineering and digital scanning technologies, could the technology play a role in the supply of discontinued legacy metal parts? Here, Sihan Zhang, Saleh Khanjar, Srimanta Barui, Kameswara Pavan Kumar Ajjarapu, and Kunal Kate from the University of Louisville; Lauren Shackleford of the University of Kentucky; and Andrew Pierce, GE Appliances, report on the process undertaken to produce a discontinued stainless steel helical gear.
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Bosch Advanced Ceramics is a global leader in the production of technical ceramics, serving a variety of industries from automotive to medical devices and the chemical industry. Today, the company sees a bright future in ceramic Additive Manufacturing for the series production of parts in increasingly ambitious volumes. This article will present a case study that clearly demonstrates how, using Lithoz’s AM technology, Bosch Advanced Ceramics has been able to develop a micro-sized medical device component that is now in production with an annual run of 50,000 parts.
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MIM2024, the International Conference on Injection Molding of Metals, Ceramics, and Carbides, was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, from February 26 to 28, 2024. Attended by more than a hundred delegates from ten countries, this latest event in the well-established series was deemed to be an innovative success. This year was – to the relief of both attendees and the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) – an in-person only event. Dr Animesh Bose, CEO, Optimus Alloys, reviews some of the highlights from the technical programme.
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