Comparison of Metal Forming Process Cost Analysis

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a new hardware processing method that uses injection molding to produce high-melting-point metals with new processes, new technologies, and multi-process processes. Dahong Company has mastered the core technology of MIM: material preparation, degreasing, and sintering control

From the perspective of market size, the global MIM market is expected to continue to maintain steady growth. With the rapid development of electronic products, automobiles, medical care, hardware, machinery and other fields, the demand for MIM products continues to increase, which will further promote the expansion of the MIM market. At the same time, with the research and development and application of new materials, the MIM material system will be more diversified, providing more choices for the market.

The general process of metal forming process:

Step 1: Mixing and granulation
Metal powder and POM binder are uniformly mixed and granulated
Step 2: Injection molding
Injection molding of various shapes of green parts according to the mold cavity
(Green part)
Step 3: Acidification and degreasing
Remove most of the POM (Brown part) in the green part through acidification reaction
Step 4: Vacuum sintering
Sintering under high temperature vacuum environment, the degreased part shrinks into a dense product

MIM metal powder injection molding

MIM technology can produce parts with complex shapes, high precision and diversified materials. The cost-effectiveness of MIM technology is mainly due to its efficient production method and fine manufacturing capabilities. By using high-strength and high-precision metal powders, MIM technology can produce high-quality products at a lower cost, especially when producing small batches and high value-added products, its price advantage is more obvious.

CNC cost analysis

CNC machining is a high-precision manufacturing technology suitable for machining various complex parts. However, the cost of CNC machining is relatively high, mainly due to factors such as high-precision tools and labor costs. In addition, CNC machining has relatively low efficiency and long production cycle, so its cost-effectiveness is relatively low when producing large quantities of products.

Casting

Casting is a traditional manufacturing technology suitable for producing parts with simple shapes. The cost of casting technology is mainly affected by factors such as raw materials, energy, equipment and labor costs. Although the manufacturing cost of casting technology is relatively low, its production cycle is long, the precision is low, and it is difficult to produce products with complex shapes. Therefore, when producing high-precision and high-quality products, its price advantage is not obvious.

PM powder metallurgy

PM pressing depends on high-pressure uniaxial pressing and forming, and the shape is mostly two-dimensional cylindrical, which is more suitable for simpler structural parts. PM pressing may be a cost-effective production solution for simple parts, but MIM injection molding can produce precise part geometries without cutting or secondary processing, and can be high-density, high-complexity structural parts, saving the entire production cost. Compared with MIM technology, PM powder metallurgy technology has weaker price competitiveness when producing small batches and high value-added products.

MIM metal powder injection molding technology has obvious advantages in price. When producing products with complex shapes, high precision and high quality, MIM technology can achieve higher economic benefits at a lower cost. However, CNC machining, casting and PM powder metallurgy technology are difficult to meet these requirements at the same time to a certain extent. Therefore, for companies that need to manufacture high-precision and high-quality products, MIM metal powder injection molding technology is a competitive choice.