Techniques
We apply MIM techniques (Metal Injection Moulding: injection moulding of metallic powders) as a core manufacturing technology. The process is depicted in the illustration.
MIM techniques use injection moulding technology as is known from the plastics industry for forming. The starting material for the process is fine metallic powder. In order for the powder to be suitable for use with a conventional injection moulding machine, it must be mixed with a binder. This binder is melted in the furnace of the injection moulding machine at a temperature of approximately 100 °C and carries the powder with it into the mould. Finally, a chemical and a thermal process ensure that the binder is completely removed from the injection-moulded part, with only metal remaining. A sintering process is used to compact the powder into the desired strong and dense workpiece.
| Machine | Description |
| Injection Moulding Machine | ARBURG GmbH + Co., ALLROUNDER 320 S, 500-60, clamp force 500 kN, screw diameters 18 and 22 mm |
| Debinding Furnace | XERION Ofentechnik GmbH, Hotwall-Retort furnace, usable volume 17 l (250 mm dia), max. 1000 °C, vacuum 10-4 mbar and inert gas up to 1.1 bar, high-grade steel |
| Sintering Furnace | CENTORR / Vacuum Industries Workhorse II, horizontal cold wall furnace, usable volume: 300 x 300 x 600 mm (54 l), max 1700 °C, vacuum 10-6 mbar, inert gas up to 1.5 bar |
| Combined Debinding- and Sintering Furnace | XERION Ofentechnik GmbH, vacuum and inert gas furnace for debinding and sintering, type XVAC, usable volume 10 l (220 mm dia x 300 height), max 1600 °C, vacuum 5 x 10-6 mbar, inert gas up to 1.1 bar |
| Sinter dilatometer | max 1550 °C (temporary up to 1600 °C), vacuum 10-5 mbar and inert gas up to 100 mbar, sample diameter 11 mm, sample length max 50 mm, max gauge length 5 mm, resolution ≤ 20 nm |
| TGA/SDTA-device | Mettler-Toledo GmbH, thermical analysis device TA 3000, up to 5000 mg, -160 °C to 1500 °C, inert gas, air, vacuum 10-2 mbar |
| Combined Debinding- and Solvent Recycling Device | LÖMI GmbH debinding facility type EBA 50/2006, usable volume 50 l, solvent distillation facility type LRA 50/2006, solvent hexane |
| Glovebox systems | |
| Small devices | Volumetric analyzer (tamped density), sieving analysis, precision balance with density analysis, piston injection moulding system |
| Combined Debinding- and Solvent Recycling Device | LÖMI GmbH Entbinderungsanlage Typ EBA 50/2006, Nutzvolumen 50 l, Lösemittelrückgewinnungsanlage Typ LRA 50/2006 |