Advanced manufacturing technology combining the design flexibility of plastic injection molding with the strength and durability of metals.
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a precision manufacturing process that combines the versatility of plastic injection molding with the mechanical properties of metals. This innovative technique allows for the production of complex, high-precision metal components with excellent surface finish and tight tolerances.
MIM technology enables the production of intricate geometries and complex shapes that are challenging or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods.
For small to medium-sized components produced in high volumes, MIM offers significant cost advantages over machining, investment casting, and other manufacturing processes.
MIM supports a wide range of materials including stainless steels, low alloy steels, tool steels, titanium, and superalloys, providing excellent mechanical properties.
The MIM process combines the design flexibility of injection molding with the material properties of metals, enabling the production of complex components with high precision and efficiency.
Metal powders are mixed with a binder system to create a homogeneous feedstock with suitable flow properties for injection molding.
The feedstock is injected into a mold cavity under high pressure, forming the desired shape. The process is similar to plastic injection molding but uses metal-based feedstock.
The binder is removed from the molded part through thermal or chemical processes, leaving a porous metal structure that retains the shape of the original component.
The debound part is sintered at high temperatures, causing the metal particles to bond together and densify. This results in a component with near-full density and excellent mechanical properties.
Optional secondary operations such as machining, heat treatment, surface finishing, or plating may be performed to achieve specific requirements.
Metal Injection Molding is used across a wide range of industries to produce complex, high-performance components that require precision, strength, and durability.
Surgical instruments, dental components, orthopedic implants, and drug delivery devices requiring biocompatibility and precision.
Learn MoreConnectors, shielding components, heat sinks, and precision parts for consumer electronics, computers, and telecommunications.
Learn MoreEngine components, transmission parts, sensors, and safety systems requiring high strength and dimensional accuracy.
Learn MoreTrigger components, sights, safety mechanisms, and small firearms parts requiring high precision and durability.
Learn MoreNavigation components, engine parts, and structural elements requiring lightweight materials with high strength-to-weight ratios.
Learn MoreWatches, jewelry, sporting goods, and hardware components requiring intricate designs and high-quality finishes.
Learn MoreMetal Injection Molding supports a wide range of materials, each offering unique properties to meet diverse application requirements.
At MIMTech, we maintain the highest standards of quality throughout the entire manufacturing process to ensure our components meet or exceed customer expectations.
Our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015, ensuring consistent process control and continuous improvement.
We utilize state-of-the-art inspection equipment including CMM, X-ray, and non-destructive testing to ensure dimensional accuracy and material integrity.
Every batch of material undergoes rigorous testing for chemical composition, density, hardness, and mechanical properties.
Detailed records are maintained for every production run, including process parameters, inspection results, and material certifications.
Explore how our MIM solutions have helped companies across various industries achieve their manufacturing goals.
A leading medical device manufacturer needed complex, high-precision components for a new surgical instrument. Our MIM solution provided the required dimensional accuracy, biocompatibility, and surface finish while reducing production costs by 30%.
An automotive Tier 1 supplier required a lightweight, high-strength sensor housing for a new transmission system. By utilizing MIM with stainless steel, we achieved a 40% weight reduction compared to the previous machined component while maintaining critical performance requirements.
An aerospace company needed a complex titanium component for a navigation system. Our MIM process enabled the production of this intricate part with tight tolerances, eliminating the need for multiple machined components and reducing assembly time by 50%.
A firearms manufacturer sought to improve the consistency and reduce costs of their trigger mechanism components. Our MIM solution provided high-precision parts with excellent surface finish and mechanical properties, resulting in improved performance and a 25% cost reduction.
MIM offers numerous benefits over traditional manufacturing methods, making it the preferred choice for complex, high-precision metal components.
MIM can produce intricate shapes with features such as undercuts, thin walls, and internal cavities that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional machining.
MIM components typically achieve tolerances of ±0.3%, with secondary operations available for even tighter specifications.
MIM parts typically have a smooth surface finish (Ra 1.6-3.2 μm) as-sintered, reducing or eliminating the need for secondary finishing operations.
MIM has a material utilization rate of over 95%, minimizing waste compared to subtractive manufacturing processes like machining.
For high-volume production, MIM can reduce costs by 30-50% compared to machining or investment casting due to fewer secondary operations and lower material waste.
MIM allows for design changes with minimal cost impact compared to traditional manufacturing methods, enabling rapid prototyping and product iterations.
How Metal Injection Molding compares to other manufacturing processes for complex metal components.
Process | Complexity | Tolerance | Surface Finish | Material Options | Production Volume | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metal Injection Molding | High | ±0.3% | Ra 1.6-3.2 μm | Wide range | 10,000+ | Low |
CNC Machining | Medium | ±0.05% | Ra 0.8-1.6 μm | Very wide | 1-10,000 | High |
Investment Casting | High | ±0.5% | Ra 3.2-6.3 μm | Wide | 1,000-100,000 | Medium |
Die Casting | Medium | ±0.3% | Ra 1.6-3.2 μm | Limited | 10,000+ | Low |
Powder Metallurgy | Low | ±0.5% | Ra 3.2-6.3 μm | Moderate | 10,000+ | Low |
Partner with us to leverage the advantages of Metal Injection Molding for your next project. Our expert team will guide you from design to production.
Our team of experts is ready to discuss your project requirements and help you determine if MIM is the right solution for your application.