We make metal & ceramic parts other companies say can't be done
Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
MIM was developed during the 1970s. It is a process whereby powdered metal is mixed with a binding agent, generally plastic, that is injected as a liquid into a mold using plastic injection molding machines to produce a molded part. The polymer binder material is then removed using solvent, thermal furnaces, or a catalytic process. The resulting part, fragile and porous, requires the metal to be heated in a furnace process called sintering. MIM parts are sintered at temperatures up to 1450 degrees Celsius allowing the metal particle surfaces to bind together and consolidate resulting in a final, 96-99% solid density. The ceramic injection molding process works the same way.
MIM offers the benefit of freedom of design in shaping metal. Traditional metal production methods, like casting and machining, are constrained by the brittleness of the material, size of part, as well as time and cost of manufacture. The MIM process allows production of highly complex, small sized parts at high volumes for a low cost.
PPC’s Metal and Ceramic Injection Molding division, Smith Metal Products, named after our founder Willard Smith, offers turn-key program management from sourcing, manufacturing, value added secondary processing, to point of purchase packaging. Our complete manufacturing solutions help our customers achieve success.
Learn more about Smith Metal Products, visit our website at www.smithmetals.com
Thanks for coming through for us in a big way (again) with supplying the MIM parts so quickly for our high profile project for a major US airline. The parts look fantastic as usual! It’s a pleasure working with a company that has such outstanding service and support.
Thomas A. Belz II, Director of Marketing and Sales, Magee Plastics Co.