Compare µ-MIM® with other manufacturing methods
µ-MIM® offers the following advantages compared to other manufacturing processes
Advantages of μ-MIM® against machining
Lower costs and shorter delivery times for components with complex designs
Machining is a representative process for high-precision machining, but it is not suitable for mass production of small and complex components due to the long machining time per part and low material yield.
In general, the MIM process has lower accuracy than machining, but our μ-MIM® technologoy has the same accuracy as machining. It can also be used to produce complex designs such as undercuts and integration of multiple parts, eliminating assembly steps. With μ-MIM®, the material yield is 100%.
In general, the MIM process has lower accuracy than machining, but our μ-MIM® technologoy has the same accuracy as machining. It can also be used to produce complex designs such as undercuts and integration of multiple parts, eliminating assembly steps. With μ-MIM®, the material yield is 100%.
Advantages of μ-MIM® against stamping
Mass production of complicated design with high accuracy
Both stamping and MIM are good at mass production, however, from the view of design freedom and tolerance, MIM has advantage.
μ-MIM is capable to mass produce the design of thin wall, which stamping cannot achieve, under-cut, less than a millimeter fine structure.
μ-MIM is capable to mass produce the design of thin wall, which stamping cannot achieve, under-cut, less than a millimeter fine structure.
Advantages of μ-MIM® against pressure die casting
Greater choice of materials and better mechanical strength
Die casting is a casting process in which molten metal is injected into the mould.
There is great freedom of design, but material selection is limited to metals with low melting points, such as Al and Zn. In addition, shrinkage cannot be avoided, so mechanical properties are poor. µ-MIM® gives you the same level of design freedom with better mechanical properties.
There is great freedom of design, but material selection is limited to metals with low melting points, such as Al and Zn. In addition, shrinkage cannot be avoided, so mechanical properties are poor. µ-MIM® gives you the same level of design freedom with better mechanical properties.
Advantages of μ-MIM® against lost-wax process
μ-MIM® is a better solution for mass production of thin-walled designs
Lost wax casting is a sand casting process in which the master foam, which is made of wax, is converted into metal using a sand mould.
This process allows a high degree of design freedom and a wide range of materials. However, the use of the sand mould means that many additional processing steps are required. In addition, post-processing is inevitable, making it difficult to produce thin-walled design parts. Mass production of thin-walled parts is a strength of μ-MIM®.
This process allows a high degree of design freedom and a wide range of materials. However, the use of the sand mould means that many additional processing steps are required. In addition, post-processing is inevitable, making it difficult to produce thin-walled design parts. Mass production of thin-walled parts is a strength of μ-MIM®.
Advantages of μ-MIM® against compaction powder metallurgy
Preserving the wide choice of materials with more design freedom
Compaction powder metallurgy is the best known powder metallurgy process.
This process is well suited for mass production. It can also be used to process metals with high melting points or metals that are difficult to machine. However, only large metal powders can be used in this process, which means that the density and roughness are low. This results in poor mechanical properties and low design flexibility. μ-MIM® enables high density, smooth surface finish and high design flexibility for mass production of components.
This process is well suited for mass production. It can also be used to process metals with high melting points or metals that are difficult to machine. However, only large metal powders can be used in this process, which means that the density and roughness are low. This results in poor mechanical properties and low design flexibility. μ-MIM® enables high density, smooth surface finish and high design flexibility for mass production of components.
Advantages of μ-MIM® against additive manufacturing
Mass production with high accuracy, strength and design freedom
Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D metal printing, produces parts by layering metal powder on top of each other according to 3D design data. This method can be used to produce any design.
However, there are generally significant differences in mechanical strength in the vertical and horizontal directions in the stacked layer. In addition, the surface roughness is not as good as MIM. On the other hand, no mould is required, so the lead time for prototyping is short. Therefore, AM is ideal for small batch production and MIM for mass production.
However, there are generally significant differences in mechanical strength in the vertical and horizontal directions in the stacked layer. In addition, the surface roughness is not as good as MIM. On the other hand, no mould is required, so the lead time for prototyping is short. Therefore, AM is ideal for small batch production and MIM for mass production.
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