Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a new type of "near net forming" technology for parts that introduces modern plastic injection molding technology into the field of powder metallurgy. It combines multiple disciplines such as plastic molding technology, polymer chemistry, powder metallurgy technology and metal materials science. It is praised by the industry as one of the "hottest parts forming technologies" today.
MIM technology was invented by Parmatech in California, USA in 1973. In the early 1980s, many European countries and Japan also invested a lot of energy to study this technology and promoted it rapidly. Especially since the industrialization of this technology in the mid-1980s, it has achieved rapid development and its output has increased at an astonishing rate every year. So far, more than 100 companies in more than a dozen countries and regions such as the United States, Western Europe, and Japan are engaged in product development, research and sales of this process technology.
Japan is very active in competition and has performed outstandingly. Many large companies are involved in the promotion and application of MIM technology, including Pacific Metals, Mitsubishi Steel, Kawasaki Steel, Kobe Steel, Sumitomo Mining, Seiko-Epson, Daido Steel, etc. At present, there are more than 40 companies specializing in the MIM industry in Japan, and the total sales value of its MIM products has long exceeded that of Europe and is catching up with the United States. MIM technology has become a very active frontier technology field in the new manufacturing industry and a pioneering technology in the world's metallurgical industry.
The following is some key information on the development of micro metal injection molding in Japan:
History of technological development:
In 1979, Parmatech of the United States first published MIM technology and obtained a number of patents. Nippon Seison of Japan introduced MIM technology in 1986.
In 1990, Metalor 2000 of Israel introduced MIM process technology from Parmatech and established a MIM production line.
Market size and growth:
The global MIM market has grown steadily in recent years and is expected to reach US$5.26 billion in 2026. China is the world's largest market, accounting for about 40% of the global market.
As one of the pioneers of MIM technology, Japan's market is mainly applied in industrial machinery, medical and automotive fields. For example, some Japanese companies such as Hitachi, Sony and Toyota have extensive applications in MIM technology.
Production equipment and materials:
Japan has also made significant progress in MIM production equipment and materials. For example, Basf launched the Catamold feeding and continuous degreasing sintering furnace suitable for MIM, which promoted the development of MIM technology.
Japanese material suppliers have also made important contributions in materials such as stainless steel and low-alloy steel for MIM.
Industry standards and cooperation:
Japan is also actively involved in the formulation of relevant standards in the MIM industry, such as the Japan Powder Metallurgy Association (JPMA) has formulated standards for MIM.
Japanese companies are also very active in technology development and industrial cooperation among themselves and with companies and research institutions in other countries.
Application areas:
MIM technology is widely used in various fields in Japan, including watches, medical devices, automotive parts, electronic products, etc. For example, Swatch Group is one of the early users of MIM technology for the production of watch cases.
Japanese companies with significant performance in the field of metal powder injection molding (MIM):
1. Pacific Metal
2. Mitsubishi Steel
3. Kawasaki Steel
4. Kobe Steel
5. Sumitomo Mining
6. Seiko-Epson
7. Daido Steel
Overall, Japan's micro metal injection molding technology is in a leading position worldwide and is widely used in many application fields. With the continuous advancement of technology and the increase in market demand, Japan's development momentum in the field of MIM is expected to continue to be strong.