APP primarily uses steels and stainless steels, however, copper, heavy alloys, tool steels, and even titanium are workable.
ProtoMIM® is the quickest, most economical method to produce real MIM parts. Unlike traditional metal injection molding, ProtoMIM® is a rapid prototype that acts as a bridge which is often used for early stages of validation. Once confident, your design is released to tool build and components are delivered with in 3-6 weeks.
Although, it has never been significantly commercialized, aluminum has been used in metal injection molding.
ProtoMIM® is perfect for initial part validation. Our proprietary technology acts a bridge tool to your initial pilot builds while your production tool is in design and build. ProtoMIM® allows you to do testing and make any necessary changes before you head into production.
Due to its reactive extremely reactive nature, titanium can pick up oxygen and carbon during metal injection molding if the proper precautions are not followed.
Yes, APP can manufacture both internal and external threads on MIM components. The threads can either be done as a secondary or incorporated into the tool. The use of as-molded threads will depend upon the volume of components to be manufactured and the tolerance requirements of the threads.
MIM components are typically 10-20 gram, but can be as small as a few milligrams or as large as 250 grams. MIM components typically fit in the palm of your hand.
To prevent extra fixture expenses, APP prefers a flat surface to set the part for sintering. For MIM parts without a flat surface, we build ceramic support to limit distortion during the sintering process.
MIM components typically have a wall thickness of 0.050” to 0.400”. Wall thickness less than 0.010” and larger than 0.600” should be avoided.
Yes, MIM components can be plated the same way that other metals are processed. The MIM material must have at least a density of 94% to eliminate any porosity that could trap plating solutions that could result in undesirable corrosion in the future.
APP has been a technical leader for major OEMs for over 20 years. With in-house P.E. metallurgists and material scientists, we can develop custom feedstocks to meet your specific application needs. Our primary focus is you and your product goals. We believe in collaboration and appoint a program engineer to ensure your components are produced at price and on-time.
Yes, MIM titanium alloys and ASTM F2886 (Co-Cr) alloys are known to be implantable. If wrought stainless steel is used in implantable applications, 316L stainless steel can be substituted.
Yes, APP has the capability to over mold parts. The key to over molding MIM components limiting parting lines in the area that the over molding tool will shut off.
Although slightly inferior to wrought properties, MIM properties show superiority to most cast alloys. Typically, 90-95% wrought, MIM can be produced to equal or succeed wrought proprieties when the components are hot isostatic pressed (HIP).
Yes, APP can manufacture components from multiple alloys in the same tool. This is highly successful during prototyping to define the proper alloy for an application. This is also done with production tools, but the tool may require special inserts in critical dimension areas.
When these alloys are processed using conventional methods, they are machined or worked and results in strengthening. MIMed 316L and MP35N are solution annealed after sintering, therefore making them softer than their wrought counterparts.
Depending on the alloy and starting material, APP’s tooling shrink ranges from 1.17 to 1.25.
Yes, APP not only metal injection molds components, we also machine, heat treat, and surface coat according to your requirements.
Yes, APP is unique in that we manufacture our own MIM feedstock and can process Catamold tools.
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