OptiMIM FAQ

Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) is a manufacturing process that combines the design flexibility of plastic injection moulding with the mechanical properties of powder metallurgy. It is used to produce small, complex, high-volume metal components that are difficult or cost-prohibitive to create using other processes.

Metal injection moulding (MIM) provides a unique solution for producing small, intricate parts:

• High complexity: MIM enables geometries and features that are not possible with traditional casting or machining.
• High density and strength: MIM parts have a very high density (95-98% of wrought material), resulting in excellent mechanical properties.
• High volume, low cost: For high-volume production, the MIM process is highly cost-effective due to its near-net-shape capabilities and minimal material waste.

We specialise in stainless steels, low-alloy steels and copper, but can work with a wide variety of materials. Our in-house metallurgists can even develop custom feedstocks to meet your specific application needs.

MIM is most suitable for small, highly detailed parts, typically weighing from a few grams to 250 grams. If a component fits in the palm of your hand and has complex features, MIM is often a perfect fit.

Typical tolerances for MIM range from ±0.3% to ±0.5% of the part dimension. By collaborating with our engineers early in the design stage, we can optimise the part geometry to achieve the tightest possible tolerances.

The MIM process involves material shrinkage during sintering. We use proprietary predictive models to account for this shrinkage in our tooling design from the outset, ensuring an accurate and repeatable result.

MIM is a versatile process used across many industries, including medical, defence, firearms, consumer electronics and automotive, for applications requiring small, high-strength components.

MIM is an excellent solution for parts that are currently machined, assembled from multiple pieces or too complex for traditional casting. Our design engineers can provide a complimentary design review to help you determine whether MIM is the most effective and cost-efficient solution.

OptiMIM is unique because of our in-house technical expertise, including a team of metallurgists and material scientists. We are committed to a collaborative approach and assign a dedicated programme engineer to ensure your components are produced on time and within budget.