Seven Major Application Examples Of MIM Technology

Metal powder injection molding (MIM) is a net forming process suitable for producing small, three-dimensional complex shapes and products with special performance requirements. MIM has the characteristics of being able to form complex shaped parts in large quantities and with high efficiency. Therefore, it is widely used in electronic 3C, automotive parts, medical devices, industrial equipment, and daily necessities.

1. Smartphone 3C products
In China, smartphones and 3C products are the largest areas of MIM application. The rapid development of the mobile phone, communication, and fiber optic industries has brought great opportunities to MIM. Some domestic MIM processing enterprises mainly produce MIM components for smartphones and 3C products, which require high precision and strong durability. Commonly used products include:; Structural components, connectors, irregular parts, mobile phone holders, card slots, etc
2. Automotive components
In the European region, MIM is the most widely used in automotive component manufacturers, and there are relatively few MIM companies in China that produce automotive components. However, MIM has great potential in the automotive industry, and common applications include:; Ignition control lock components, turbocharger rotor, valve guide rail components, automotive brake device components, automotive sunshade components, clutch inner ring, fork sleeve, distributor sleeve, automotive guide pipe, etc.
3. Industrial machinery
The application of MIM in industrial equipment is also not to be underestimated. Its market characteristic is large scale but scattered application. MIM's application in industrial machinery includes micro motor parts, electronic parts, sensor parts, cotton loosening machines, textile machines, sewing machines and other small and complex parts of various types of machinery.
4. Household and wearable products
A few years ago, MIM's manufacturing of watch cases, watch chains, and watch connectors received popularity, especially in the southern region of China. Due to the impact of smartphones, the global watch market grew slowly and no longer received much attention. However, the basic market is still very large, and MIM's applications in household appliances include; Watch case, watch chain, eyeglass support arm, electric toothbrush, scissors, fan, golf ball head, simulated jewelry, tool blade and other parts
5. OA office equipment
The applications of MIM in office equipment include printer parts, magnetic cores, striker pins, drive parts, etc.
6. Electric tools
Electric tools also rely heavily on MIM. Considering the complexity of machining electric hand tool accessories, high processing costs, and low material utilization, many applications have been developed in recent years, including opposite direction milling cutters, cutting tools, fasteners, micro gears, cotton loosening machines/textile machines/edge rolling machine parts, etc.
7. Medical products
In the European and American regions, MIM is the most widely used in medical component manufacturers, and China is the world's second-largest medical device market. However, MIM has great potential in the medical industry, with common applications including gastroscopy forceps, dental braces, surgical forceps, scissors, in vivo suture needles, and live tissue samplers.