Ensure Quality by Implementing Key Improvements From the Start

<p>From concept to completion, optimizing your MIM part with the right improvements is essential for developing an exceptional component.</p>

An engineer operating a metal injection molding machine

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Part Improvement

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Improving the design and specifications of the metal injection mold early in the MIM process is crucial for enhancing the overall part quality and ensuring optimal performance.

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Enhanced Product Quality

Enhancing parts through Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reduces the risk of defects and ensures greater product reliability.

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Reduced Risk of Defects

Addressing part issues early in the process streamlines production, cutting lead times and accelerating time-to-market.

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Accelerated Time-To-Market

Accelerated Time-to-Market

Recognizing and resolving potential issues early prevents expensive rework and reduces scrap.

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Cost Reduction

How Do Part Improvements Drive Project Success?

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Our engineers design optimized components with precise material placement, enhancing part quality and precision through coring and mass reduction techniques.

Uniform Wall Thickness, Coring & Mass Reduction

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Holes and slots can be easily produced with MIM, offering reduced part mass, improved uniformity of wall thickness, and minimal additional cost, with perpendicular holes being the most cost-effective.

Holes & Slots

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MIM effortlessly creates external undercuts, boosting design flexibility. Internal undercuts are possible but may need complex solutions and engineering expertise.

Undercuts

Integrated threads, both internal (using unscrewing cores) and external (molded, sometimes needing a parting line flat), streamline production and improve engagement.

Internal and External Casting Threads

MIM allows detailed features like knurling, lettering, logos, and date coding to be added directly to components without affecting cost, showcasing its versatility in complex metal part design.

Knurling, Lettering & Logos

Heat treating enhances MIM parts' strength and hardness. Carbon, alloying elements, and porosity influence hardening.

Heat Treating

Our Approach to Defect-Free Production

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<h1>MIM Overview</h1><p>With numerous metalworking solutions available, it's easy to become complacent. But what if a better option exists? Metal Injection Molding (MIM) combines the technologies of thermoplastic injection molding and powder metallurgy to produce complex shaped, high density,</p><p>high-performance metal parts. Learn more by downloading our on-demand webinar.</p><p>Get insight on:</p><ul><li>The MIM process</li><li>Capabilities and applications of MIM</li><li>How MIM competes in the metals industry</li></ul><h2>Fill out the form to access the recording.</h2>

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of metal injection molding and how OptiMIM delivers complex parts for diverse high-performance applications.

MIM Overview | OptiMIM Webinar

This webinar provides an overvew of Metal Injection Molding (MIM), an advanced manufacturing process that combines the This webinar provides an introduction to Metal Injection Molding (This This webinar provides an introduction to Metal Injection Molding (MIM), an innovative process combining thermoplastic injection molding and powder metallurgy to produce complex, high-performance metal parts. 

MIM Overview

<h1>MIM Materials</h1><p>MIM 101 and MIM Design have been covered. Next, learn more about the materials used in metal injection molding. Discover different material options and the science behind modifying custom alloys to enhance the complex metal injection molding process. Explore case studies highlighting custom material solutions delivered to customers for a competitive advantage.</p><p>Sign up below for your free on-demand download!</p><h2>Sign up for this free webinar!</h2>

Discover the unique properties of MIM materials and how fine powder metallurgy achieves high-density, complex shapes in demanding industries.

Metal Injection Molding Materials | OptiMIM Webinar

This webinar delves into the materials used in metal injection molding, exploring different options and the science of modifying custom alloys to enhance the MIM process, featuring case studies showcasing the benefits of unique material solutions. 

MIM Materials

<h1>MIM Series Part 1</h1><p>Let's explore MIM. MIM offers a unique combination of metal strength and durability with the design flexibility of injection molding. At OptiMIM, two different types of MIM are available – standard and multi-slide. Both offer similar advantages, such as creating complex geometries, combining multiple parts, enhancing features, dramatically reducing cycle times, and obtaining greater precision and consistency. More details about each type will be shared in a future blog post. For now, let’s discuss the steps in the MIM process.</p><p><strong>For more information on the  MIM process, contact our engineering team  today!</strong><br /></p><h2>MIM Process</h2><p>The MIM process involves four steps: compounding, molding, debinding, and sintering. These four steps, along with feedstock, will be the focus of the next five parts of this blog series. Here is a brief overview of each process.</p><h3>Feedstock/Compounding</h3><p>MIM utilizes metal powders combined with a plastic and wax binder, known as feedstock, as the foundation for creating parts. By mixing feedstock in-house, a wide range of metals can be offered, including NiFe, 316SS, 420SS, 17-4SS, titanium, and copper. Pre-alloyed metal powders are also available. Once mixed, the feedstock is processed through a twin-screw extruder and pelletized.</p><h3>Molding</h3><p>The pellets are loaded into either a standard MIM machine or a proprietary multi-slide MIM machine. At this point, the component is called a “green part”. The final part will have the same geometry as the green part but will be about 20% smaller. </p><h3>Debinding</h3><p>In this step, some of the binder from the feedstock is removed. Heat, chemicals, or a combination of both are used to remove the binders and prepare the part for sintering. Once the binder is removed, the part is referred to as a “brown part”.</p><h3>Sintering</h3><p>The brown part is placed into a continuous or batch vacuum furnace and subjected to temperatures near the material’s melting point. This removes the remaining binder and densifies the part, resulting in the 20% shrinkage mentioned earlier. Sintering takes approximately 15-20 hours.</p><p>Part Two of this series will focus exclusively on the feedstock aspect of the&nbsp;MIM process. To answer any questions or for further discussion,&nbsp;contact our engineering team today!</p>

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Start your journey into MIM with an overview of powder metallurgy basics, material selection, and the critical phases of the MIM process flow.

Metal Injection Molding Overview Series | OptiMIM Article

Metal injection molding (MIM) combines the strength of metal with the flexibility of injection molding to create complex parts through a four-step process: compounding, molding, debinding, and sintering. 