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INTRODUCTION
Traditional applications for
metal injection molding (MIM) have been small
net shape parts (<25 grams) exhibiting design
and economic benefits over wrought or cast components.
The firearm, medical and electronics industries
are prime producers/recipients of MIM components.
Recent advances in binder systems and instrumentation
for injection molding and sintering equipment
are resulting in a dramatic expansion of MIM into
new components and markets.
Latitude Technologies has commercialized
PowderFlo® , an aqueous
based agar feedstock that offers the ability to
produce large, thick parts of complex geometry.
As a result, near net shape and net shape components
of a size more typically associated with investment
casting is now possible using MIM. As a result,
many of the design and material flexibilities
offered by MIM can now be applied to a new larger
class of components.
ELIMINATION OF PROCESS
STEPS
PowderFlo® Technologies utilizes existing
injection molding technology and a new aqueous
binder technology to provide a process which makes
possible the production of larger, thicker, and
more complex metal parts than are currently available
by means of investment casting and historical
powder injection molding.
Step 1 - High concentrations
of metal or ceramic powders are blended with water
and an agar gel binder and extruded into a pelletized
homogeneous molding compound. In some cases, this compounding step can be replaced by simple low temperature mixing of the components
Step 2 - The molding
compound is fed into a standard injection molder
and under low pressure and low heat the material
is molded into a "green" part.
Step 3 - The "green"
part is placed in a sintering furnace. In this
high temperature environment, the part is densified
and transformed into its near net shape.
Step 4 - The sintered
part is finely finished (if necessary).
Step 5 - The part
is inspected, packed and readied for shipping.
For more detailed information about
PowderFlo® part processing we invite you to
request the PowderFlo®
Processing Guide.
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