Metal Injection Molding, Ceramic Injection Molding – Bay Area, Ca

Custom Metal Injection Molding (MIM) & Ceramic Injection Molding (CIM)

Advantages of the Metal Injection Molding Process
High-volume process which allows finished, (or almost finished), parts in a variety of metals. The more complex the shape, the better MIM & CIM economics.

MIM

Wide range of metals available for Metal Injection Molding From Exotics ( Kovar or Invar 36- Low CTE materials) , Stainless Steels ( 420, 17-4, 303 et al), most ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, magnetic materials, and more conventional metal alloys.

MIM

For CIM, materials include: Zirconia, Alumina & Silicon Nitride.

Ceramic Injection Molded Parts also have high wear resistance, dimensional stability and high strength.

MIM

Disadvantages of the Metal Injection Molding process:

  1. Metal and Ceramic Injection are more expensive than plastic injection molding(but this pertains to different material properties).
  2. Metal Injection Molded (MIM) materials shrink 25 to 30% in sintering (injection molding shrinkage is typically 1/2 to 2 1/2 % ). Following the rules on wall uniformity are crucial for minimizing warp & distortion.
  3. Good parts really start with a properly molded “green” part. Our engineers do detailed DFM reviews to help optimize the molded green and final part.
  4. The parts are usually small. Typically, limitations are 50 -70 grams per part.
  5. MIM is a molding process, and involves marks from gates, parting lines, and ejection. These can be minimized with:

    • Machining
    • Tumbling
    • Magnetic Polishing
    • Electropolishing
    • Or a Combination of these


Industries Industries Served by MIM, include:

  • Automotive
  • Military & Aerospace
  • Medical* & Dental Tools and Devices
  • Cellular Phones
  • Sporting Equipment
  • Industrial and Consumer Products and Tools
  • Electronics (incl. connectors, hard drives, housings) and others

*Many of our Metal Injection Molded Parts are used on medical devices.

Powdered metals and ceramics are prepared with a Thermoplastic Binder, and molded in an injection molding machine and a mold that is very similar to a normal injection mold. After molding, the “green” molding is sent through de-binding and sintering. MIM Parts then are treated to thorough electro-polishing and, often a magnetic polishing process, too.


At the start of a program Our 70+ experienced engineers will provide detailed DFM’s for your metal injection molding. The goal is to eliminate problems before we start. We can also provide prototypes if you are at the beginning phase of your product. Our MIM presses are from 15 Ton to 80 Ton.

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