26th May, 2015
Metal injection molding (MIM) and
ceramic injection molding (CIM)
are advanced manufacturing technology used in manufacturing of complex,
precision, net shape components from metal and ceramic powder
respectively. Together these two technologies are popularly known as
powder injection molding (PIM). Metal and ceramic injection molding
technology offers the design flexibility for unlimited choice of
material offered by powder metallurgy (powdered metal and ceramic).
Metal and ceramic injection molding provide better dimensional and
productivity limits of isostatic pressing and slip casting. It improves
lenience capacity of investment casting, further it improves mechanical
strength, and the shape limitation of the products. The low cost,
complex designing capabilities of MIM and CIS technology offers higher
economy of scale and lessens the manufacturing time by eradicating
production steps such as machining and finishing. There are mainly four
steps involved in metal and ceramic injection molding market namely,
feedstock preparation, injection modelling, debinding and sintering.
Metal injection molding holds larger share as compared to ceramic
injection molding. This is attributed to its increase use in automobiles
and consumers market (such as watches and eyeglasses). The ceramic
injection molding is widely used in manufacturing of medical and health
care equipments. Metal injection molding leaves lower carbon foot print
compare to some of the other injection technique such as ceramic casting
and other injection molding techniques.
Rapid industrialization, particularly the shifting of automobiles
industries’ manufacturing in developing countries of Asia Pacific is
driving the market of metal and ceramic injection molding market in this
region. Further stringent regulation to reduce carbon footprint and
enhance performance requirement is keeping the growth lucrative in
Europe and North America.
High threat from substitution from other molding techniques due to easy
availability and user friendly, easy tooling, moderate working
requirements and cost effective operation, has became one of the
challenge for the industry in recent years.
Asia Pacific is the largest market for metal and ceramic injection
molding technology and still growing in double digit. Such high growth
rate is attributed to increasing manufacturing industries in developing
countries. Further with increasing gross domestic product (GDP) of the
developing countries of Asia Pacific the overall market for advance
modeling technology such as metal and ceramic injection molding is
expected to grow in coming years. Europe is the second largest market
for metal and ceramic injection molding owing to demand from automotive
manufactures in Germany and Italy. Further increasing demand of consumer
good is also propelling the overall market of metal and ceramic
injection molding market. North America is the largest market of ceramic
injection molding owing to high demand from health care industries.
The major companies operating in global metal and ceramic injection
modeling market include AB Components, G-Mag International, Hong Ya
Industrial, Datumag Inc., Abbot Furnace Company, Affinity International
LLC., Cypress Industries, and Britt Manufacturing Co.
Key points covered in the report
