EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Design Guidelines
of Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
MIM or Metal Injection Molding Technology is one of the emerging
technologies being exploited across the globe. On our regular column of
Emerging Technology, in this issue we are going to feature about the design
guidelines of Metal Injection Molding. Sachin Malgave

When a project (component) is evaluated for

MIM feasibility, there are certain design
guidelines that are referred upon completion
of the team feasibility commitment (TFC).
Any component to be realized through MIM
technology, need to have the design
guidelines referred for it.

Following are the design guidelines, that can

be discussed with the product designer, so
that the component is MIM-friendly.

Design Guidelines of MIM :

w “Plastic Mold Design” guidelines apply.

w Corner radii of greater than 0.3 mm.
Following are the design guidelines, that can be discussed with the product designer, so that
w Upto 2 deg. Draft on walls longer than 10
the component is MIM friendly.
mm.
MIM Part Features :
w Minimum hole diameter 0.5 mm.
w Minimum wall thickness 0.5 mm.
w Max. 5 mm. (coring recommended beyond
5 mm.)

w Gradual section thickness transitions

w Uniform wall thickness recommended as
far as possible.

w Stiffening ribs / coring normally adopted.

Design Advantages of MIM : Parts with Knurls / Serrations

w Flexible Chemistry, close control on

weight.

w Hexagonal, square, splined, blind & flat

bottom holes, even holes at angles to each
other feasible.

w Co-molding/ sintering of two different

materials possible (under R & D efforts now).

w Knurled features possible.

w External / internal threads feasible.
w Logo/ Part Number / raised letters /
impressions or cavity id can be done

March 2011 www.industrialbusinessmart.com 37