μ-MIM®
What is μ-MIM®?
μ-MIM® is a technology that realises ultra-precise MIM (Metal Injection Moulding) components. It is a technology that includes not only miniaturisation of the component size but also its accuracy and quality assurance.
The 4 best reasons to manufacture high-precision components with μ-MIM®
01
High tolerance
The precision level of μ-MIM® technology is almost identical to machining.
With over 25 years of our original μ-MIM technology development, we have achieved unprecedented tolerance satisfaction in an as-sintered state. In conventional MIM, the tightest tolerance is +/- 30 μm, while μ-MIM® achieves +/- 10 μm.
Compared with the latest machining technology, the tolerances achieved are lower, but still competitive with conventional machining. Plus, μ-MIM® technology is a net-shape production technology that uses minimal post-processing to reduce the risk of tolerance deviations in 3D locations. Productivity and preciseness are μ-MIM® technology's unique strengths, which help realise your ideal metal part production to the market.
With over 25 years of our original μ-MIM technology development, we have achieved unprecedented tolerance satisfaction in an as-sintered state. In conventional MIM, the tightest tolerance is +/- 30 μm, while μ-MIM® achieves +/- 10 μm.
Compared with the latest machining technology, the tolerances achieved are lower, but still competitive with conventional machining. Plus, μ-MIM® technology is a net-shape production technology that uses minimal post-processing to reduce the risk of tolerance deviations in 3D locations. Productivity and preciseness are μ-MIM® technology's unique strengths, which help realise your ideal metal part production to the market.
02
Material varieties
μ-MIM® offers you a broad range of materials in the MIM industry.
This is due to our original feedstock processing, which we developed based on our knowledge and experience in plastic injection moulding history. We make binder by ourselves.
Since our lead time for feedstock development could be relatively short, newly developed alloy powder can also be used for production, provided the right size and shape of powder is available for procurement.
We are capable to optimise the feedstock for each product's stable production, and newly developed alloy powder can also be used for production.
This is due to our original feedstock processing, which we developed based on our knowledge and experience in plastic injection moulding history. We make binder by ourselves.
Since our lead time for feedstock development could be relatively short, newly developed alloy powder can also be used for production, provided the right size and shape of powder is available for procurement.
We are capable to optimise the feedstock for each product's stable production, and newly developed alloy powder can also be used for production.
μ-MIM® experienced material (Trial included)
Stainless steel
304L, 316L, 17-4PH, 410L, 420J2, 440C, HK30, Precipitation hardening by Si
Titanium
Ti, Ti-6Al-4V
Copper
Cu, Nickel silver, Cupronickel
Nickel
Ni, Kovar, Inconel 718
Magnetic
Fe-3%Si, SS410L, PB permalloy, Permendur
Low alloy steel
SCM415
Tungsten
W-Ni, W-ni-Fe, W-Cu
Molybdenum
Mo-Ni
Precious metal
Au, Ag, Pt alloy, Ir, Pd alloy
03
Design freedom
Our 3D-μMIM® technology has been designed to support the high level of design freedom you have come to expect from traditional MIM.
μ-MIM® technology was developed with a focus on serial production of small complex designs, thus with a minimum of additional machining production has been realised.
Because μ-MIM® technology was developed with a focus on serial production of small complex designs, we are able to produce small features or impossible to demold designs with a minimum of additional machining.
Additionally, our 3D-μMIM® technology achieves even a high level of design freedom that you have not expected from traditional MIM.
Our μ-MIM® and 3D-μMIM® technology realise your difficult-to-machined design serial production.
μ-MIM® technology was developed with a focus on serial production of small complex designs, thus with a minimum of additional machining production has been realised.
Because μ-MIM® technology was developed with a focus on serial production of small complex designs, we are able to produce small features or impossible to demold designs with a minimum of additional machining.
Additionally, our 3D-μMIM® technology achieves even a high level of design freedom that you have not expected from traditional MIM.
Our μ-MIM® and 3D-μMIM® technology realise your difficult-to-machined design serial production.
04
Stable mass production
Our careful quality control ensures stable serial production in the requirements of dimensions and mechanical properties.
We know that the production of small, complex metal parts requires even better process control than conventional MIM, because the quality of the preceding step has an even greater influence on the parameters of the following step.
The production of small, complex metal parts requires good uniformity in a feedstock pellet since the product size can be smaller than a pellet size.
We have precisely controlled our production process from feedstock to sintering, plus the final dimensional measurement process under the certified ISO 13485 quality assurance system.
We know that the production of small, complex metal parts requires even better process control than conventional MIM, because the quality of the preceding step has an even greater influence on the parameters of the following step.
The production of small, complex metal parts requires good uniformity in a feedstock pellet since the product size can be smaller than a pellet size.
We have precisely controlled our production process from feedstock to sintering, plus the final dimensional measurement process under the certified ISO 13485 quality assurance system.
What we can offer our clients
Outstanding expertise
Since the establishment of Taisei Kogyo Co., Ltd. in 1972, we have cultivated our know-how. With over 50 years of experience in injection technology and over 25 years of research and development, our expertise is unmatched by any other company.
Broadest range of materials
We are able to manufacture components from a very wide range of difficult-to-machine materials such as stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys, copper and copper alloys, which gives you great flexibility in material selection.
Tiny components
We specialize and excel in the production of components from a few millimeters up to about 10 mm, which we can manufacture with exceptional precision and quality.
Design freedom
We are able to produce components with complex shapes that would not be possible with conventional machining, giving you more design freedom. The results are excellent and therefore require almost no secondary machining.
Stable serial production
We are prepared to produce parts in large quantity with very high precision and quality, which guarantees you stable mass production of your components and timely market entry.
High quality
We have a medical quality management system according to ISO13485 and also offer quality assurance with the world's best measurement and evaluation technology.
Component size
Parts smaller than a grain of rice
Many free-form surfaces
3D hollow parts
Combinations of gear shapes
Irregularly shaped gears
Complex shapes that cannot be machined
High accuracy, density, strength and surface quality
01
High accuracy
Compared to sand casting: The general tolerance of MIM is ± 0.5%, which is higher than the dimensional accuracy of ± 1% for the lost wax process.
02
High density
A relative density of more than 96% is achieved. High-carbon, liquid-phase sintered products achieve relative densities of almost 100%.
03
High strength
Compared to casting: Mechanical strength close to that of wrought materials, which cannot be achieved with powder sintering.
04
High surface quality
A surface roughness of Rmax 6-8 µm (Ra 1.5-2) is possible with our technology.
Materials
With our μ-MIM® technology, we manufacture metal components by sintering metal powder. Thanks to the special properties of the sintering process, you can choose from a wide range of materials, including alloys with new compositions. We optimize each manufacturing process accordingly. Our research and development team is happy to use our μ-MIM® technology to test new materials, so don't hesitate to consult us.
3D-μMIM® Technology
3D-µMIM® is our unique lost-core process that enables the mass production of components with complex geometries with hollow structures and undercuts that are difficult to fabricate using conventional MIM or machining.
First, a sacrificial plastic mould (SP mould) is produced in a mould and inserted into another mould; the SP mould is completely disassembled during debinding and sintering, and a 100% metal component is manufactured in the end.
Sacrificial plastic mould
Metal feedstock injection
Degreasing and sintering
Sintered component
Free-form component examples with 3D-μMIM®
Zigzag spring
Inner curved flow
Hollow structure
Micro pipe
3D Printing
LMM 3D Printing Xμ-MIM® technology
Quality control
µ-MIM® evaluation & measurement technology and quality assurance
Our 3D non-destructive measurement and SEM measurement system with numerical analysis system are used for quality assurance.
X-ray CT
Optical 3D measuring system
Accuracy and specifications
Differences between MIM and μ-MIM®
Advantages of μ-MIM®
Comparison with other manufacturing methods
Case studies
How we help you solve your technology challenges
Case 01
The challenge
Because the shape of the component was too complex to make at once, multiple parts were made separately and then had to be assembled into a single part.
The solution
We can produce parts in a net shape using a die in an integrated mould, which helps to reduce costs and shorten delivery time, and also leads to downsizing.
Case 02
The challenge
Because the material had a complex shape and was difficult to process, companies refused to produce it.
The solution
We are able to produce components with complex shapes and materials that are difficult to machine, this way we can make a valuable contribution to the development of completely new products
Case 03
The challenge
Burrs, etc. were produced, post-processing was necessary, and the yield rate was low.
The solution
The realisation of net-shape has made post-processing unnecessary and enabled highly accurate production.
Case 04
The challenge
Machine processing reached its limits in mass production, so that the component could not be produced in the desired quantity.
The solution
We offer manufacturing in dimensions that cannot be achieved by machining, both in terms of quantity and shape, resulting in lower costs and shorter delivery times
References
Why other companies like to work with us
Working with Micro MIM Japan since 2020 has been a fun and fruitful journey. The company has a strong R&D department that really knows what it is doing. Their 3D-μ-MIM® technology specializes in challenging parts at a reasonable cost, offering 3 to 5 times better dimensional accuracy than the conventional MIM process and it is comparable to machining. The combination of lithographic metal printing for high-precision rapid prototyping and microscale MIM process for high-precision mass production makes this company unique and outstanding.
Y.F.
Staff Development Engineer
In the last 6 years, we have worked with Micro MIM Japan on several projects of different types and have come to appreciate them as a reliable partner. They have a great technical know-how and use the latest technologies and equipment. µMIM® technology, 3D MIM and porous metals are examples of high added value solutions that have helped us achieve goals that would not be feasible with other technologies or manufacturing methods.
Óscar Méndez
Founding Partner & Managing Director
Because of excellent component partners like Micro MIM, our products are able to be produced at a reasonable price and with high quality!
M.T.
R&D Manager
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