Advanced Powder Products, Inc.
301 Enterprise Drive
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-5898
Advanced Powder Products (APP) is proud to announce that it has received two Awards of Distinction in the Military/Firearms Category for Metal Injection Molding (MIM) components during the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) annual Awards Competition.
Since 1965, MPIF has recognized outstanding achievements in powder metallurgy by honoring components that demonstrate excellence in design, manufacturing, and innovation. Each year, a distinguished panel of industry experts evaluates submissions from manufacturers around the world, presenting Grand Prizes and Awards of Distinction to the most exceptional entries. The awards are presented during The Design Experience at MPIF's annual technical conference and highlight the possibilities of modern powder metallurgy technology.
APP received its first Award of Distinction for the MDP-9 bolt carrier and weights.
The component incorporates numerous complex cutouts that required sophisticated tooling, including multiple cams and a core pin, to produce the intricate geometry. The bolt carrier serves as a critical element of the MDP-9's roller-delayed operating system, which differs significantly from conventional one-piece bolt and buffer AR-9 designs.
By utilizing a roller-delayed blowback mechanism within an AR-15 compatible upper receiver, the system delivers reduced felt recoil and a smoother, lighter shooting experience. The bolt carrier and weights play a vital role in controlling the firearm's mechanical timing and recoil characteristics, making precision manufacturing essential.
APP's second Award of Distinction recognized its tip-up barrel for a pistol, a component whose manufacturing challenges extend far beyond its seemingly simple appearance.
Maintaining straightness throughout processing while eliminating visual defects required the development of a specialized sintering support. In addition, demanding requirements for dimensional stability and internal structural integrity narrowed the viable manufacturing methods to Metal Injection Molding and CNC machining.
After evaluation, CNC machining from bar stock proved impractical due to cost, production volume, and manufacturing time. MIM processing ultimately provided the combination of precision, scalability, and speed-to-market needed to successfully produce the component.
Receiving two MPIF Awards of Distinction reflects APP's continued commitment to solving complex manufacturing challenges through advanced Metal Injection Molding technology. These awards recognize not only the performance of the finished components but also the engineering expertise, tooling innovation, and process development required to bring them to production.
We are honored to be recognized by MPIF and congratulate our engineering and manufacturing teams whose dedication made these achievements possible.