Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a high-tech Lean Manufacturing technology that combines both Traditional Powder Metallurgy and Plastic Injection Molding processes. It is effective in both small and large volumes, creating complex shapes from all types of materials including metals, ceramics, intermetallic compounds, and composites is much easier. Metal Injection Molding (MIM) has both similarities and differences to traditional Powder Metallurgy (PM). Comparatively Metal Injection Molding has a competitive advantage for manufacturing small precision components which would be costly to produce by alternative methods. Metal Injection Molding holds a higher ground when it comes to perfection, delivery time, efficiency, and…
Author: Dr Ravi Bollina
Application of high performance materials in volume in electronic, medical, defense, consumer sector has pushed the PIM market to over 3.5 Billion USD in 2017. Advances in feedstock formulation using finer metal powders have resulted in the industry moving into a new realm of Micro-PIM. The growth of PIM markets is over 24 % y-o-y and this presents a good opportunity for Indian manufacturing sector to adopt this technology for mass production of complex parts. Some components made from Metal Injection Molding technology are shown in Figures 1-3. Metal Injection molding accounts for major share of the PIM market globally.…