Metal Injection Molding (MIM) in the Electronics rings of a technologically advanced and profitable industry in the coming days. The application of MIM in Electronics has yielded positive outcomes, especially in Asia. The surge in demand for intricate, sophisticated and high-volume parts has rendered MIM high sought after in the electronics sector.
In electronics, the dominance of metal injection moulded components accounts for 50% of the parts sales in Asia. Booming demand for electronics implies higher production output of small and sophisticated metal parts. MIM has consistently met this demand assuring cost-saving and minimal human intervention in the industry.
Over the years, the electronics sector has reaped huge benefits with the application of MIM
- Brilliant surface finish
- High corrosion resistance
- Superior strength end products
- Complex metal geometries
Lighting connector used in smartphones has an output rate of tens of millions on weekly basis. Using MIM the components are produced in multi-cavity molds to attain a net-shape. MIM’s high volume capacity and tight tolerances guarantee its continued production.
Fibre-optic parts with a wall of <1 mm or 0.04 in., cold plates & heatsinks and mobile phone parts with high flexibility in design and structure are made with MIM.
Boost in MIM is concurrent with rapid extension of industries, technology and manufacturing units in India. Fast-paced development of technology has accounted for India’s switch to MIM in the manufacturing components consumer goods such as laptop hinges, charging cables, mobile connectors, phone casings and camera equipment to list a few.
The Process Involved in MIM
In the first step, Feedstock Mixing, manufacturers ascertain the homogeneity of the feedstock consisting of fine petal powders. The powders are mixed into a uniform blend with heat and polymeric binders. On cooling and granulating the mixture into pellets, a feedstock is obtained.
In the next moulding step, small radii, contours, texts and logos are moulded. The hot feedstock is injected into moulding equipment. This step eradicates any waste or extensive use of automation leading to a simple process that assures a cost-effective and congruous manufacturing process.
Once the injection molding is done, debinding binder removal process is executed to remove the binder, done usually through solvent extraction, before proceeding to sinter. In the final step called sintering, the brown parts are subjected to heat to extract the residual binders. The parts shrink to their design requirements and metamorphoses into solid. Sintering is subjected to different conditions, quantities and compositions according to the materials concerned.
In electronics, manufacturers swear by MIM on account of low raw material, limited production time and secondary operations, minimum inventory costs and lesser intervention by manual labours. Globalization and an increase in smarter technologies have facilitated lucrative opportunities for MIM in India. India’s reliance on MIM is growing stronger irrespective of irregularities in the challenges of recession and commodity cost collapse.
To find out how Metal Injection Molding can benefit your industry, write to bollina@lechtechmaterials.com