MIM (Metal Injection Molding) combines both plastic injection and metal powders technologies. This machining process allows the realization of small and precise complex parts with an excellent surface finish for medium to large series. Its price-quality ratio is without any comparison. Main challenge faced by this process? The lack of knowledge about the possibilities of machining by MIM from potential customers. Meeting with Mr. René Breitenmoser sales and marketing Director of Parmaco AG Fishingen (Switzerland).
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"The problem of the MIM ? We must convince our customers about the potential of the process itself before highlighting our specific strengths" says Mr Breitenmoser. Although this technology exists for many years, it is still not trained a lot and the general knowledge about it is relatively low. Furthermore, achievable levels of quality and precision in MIM have widely increased in recent years. Today, very many industries could benefit to produce this way.
Change of technology? Why upgrade to MIM parts? Mr Breitenmoser presents us some parts. For example this system for the laser industry. The part was initially made of plastic, but with the increased powers of lasers, the plastic part started to melt. With a metal part, this problem has been resolved. For a laryngoscope part previously done by injection die casting, moving to MIM has allowed not only the realization of a part with a better surface finish but also with a better return on investment. Mr Breitenmoser says: "Compared to plastic, MIM is always more expensive, but many functions are obviously not the same. We realize for instance many gears parts intended for home and/or professional electronics use where plastic is not reliable enough ".
Why not you? Situated in the centre of the microtechnology area in Europe, less than 200 km from Stuttgart, Milan, Besançon or the Watch Walley, Parmaco is ideally located to help MIM widespread in Europe. If you need small complex and precise parts in medium to large series, Parmaco can certainly provide you a winning MIM solution.
Visit Parmaco at Swisstech 2010, Hall 2.1, Stand L 87
Parmaco Metal Injection Molding AG Fischingerstrasse 75 CH-8376 Fischingen Tel Switzerland. + 41 (0) 71 977 21 41 Fax + 41 (0) 71 977 21 22 [email protected] www.parmaco.com
PS: We will go into deeper detail in of this technology in our next issue.
