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Ten rules for MIM success
Design for Metal Injection Moulding: Ten rules to save time, reduce costs and improve quality Developing a component for a new manufacturing process can be a daunting prospect. It is in any business’s nature to be cautious of change and to minimise risk; however, any successful business must also recognise when an opportunity is too good to ignore. It is the latter that has driven such dramatic growth in the global MIM industry over the last decade. For those who are just at the point of discovering this technology, Matt Bulger reveals the ten key rules for MIM success, as observed in his nearly three decades as a developer and manufacturer of MIM components.
In the early days of the Metal Injection Moulding industry, in the 1980s, it was a given that the original drawings and specifications for a potential MIM part were conceived with another technology in mind, typically machining or casting. Early MIM producers yearned for the day when a part would be specifically designed for the MIM process: this would give the customer a more effective part, production and development would follow a more straightforward path, and economics, quality and efficiencies would improve for all involved parties. Today, with MIM market acceptance and awareness at a much higher level, there are many alert designers who can identify parts which are candidates for MIM at an early stage in the design process. This presents an excellent opportunity for MIM producers to share general design advice, giving best chance possible to produce a successful component. Following are some basic considerations for component design and specification that should benefit all parties. These factors can directly affect the manufacturability of the part, which will then impact cost, quality, lead-time, etc.
Vol. 12 No. 3 © 2018 Inovar Communications Ltd
The following points are not intended to be a comprehensive design guide; they are general observations for a typical MIM process and the results will almost certainly vary from operation to operation. These are high-level observations that are potentially already understood but are easily overlooked.
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Make sure the material and processes required are suitable for MIM Today there are many materials available in MIM with known properties, so, if at all possible, pick one with good industry support and
Fig. 1 MIM is a mature manufacturing process capable of extremely high production volumes. However, to benefit from this capability, it is important that key ‘Design for MIM’ guidelines are followed
September 2018 Powder Injection Moulding International
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