Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) technology enables the manufacturing of small, complex-geometry metal components with exceptional precision. Ineo’s operational capacity combines the design versatility of injection moulding with the mechanical properties of advanced metals, providing technical solutions that rigorously meet the requirements of your project.
Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)
Through Metal Injection Moulding, we can produce complex and high-precision metal parts.
Compared to other manufacturing technologies, with MIM we manufacture small and complex parts of up to 100 grams of metal, with greater precision than by Casting can be produced; it is more efficient and less expensive than machining for complex geometries.
By combining injection moulding with metal powders, MIM allows us to produce much more complex geometries than Traditional Powder Metallurgy.
The use of MIM technology allows us to optimise the production of critical components by eliminating costly secondary machining processes. At Ineo, we integrate precision and performance so that they meet the requirements of your project.
Do you need to manufacture high-complexity metal components with a precision that traditional methods cannot achieve? Would you like to optimise your production costs by eliminating secondary machining operations in your metal part runs?
Talk to our technical team
Metal injection molding (MIM) is used in industry to manufacture high precision complex metal parts, strength, and at a very competitive price.
What is Metal Injection Moulding?
Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) is an advanced manufacturing technology that combines the benefits of polymer injection processes and powder metallurgy to create complex, high-precision metal parts. This process makes it possible to manufacture metal components of small size and complex geometry, which would be difficult and therefore expensive to achieve using traditional machining or casting technologies.
Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)
How it works?
The Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) process consists of a series of steps that transform a mixture of metal powder and binder into a solid and functional metal part. The main stages of the process are detailed below.
Preparation of the Raw Material or "Feedstock"
Fine metal powder is mixed with a binder, which is usually a combination of polymers and waxes. This material called feedstock is the one that will be injected into the mould under high pressure.
The mixture of binders provides the viscosity and plasticity necessary for injection, while the metal powder, with very fine particles (between 2 and 20 microns), determines the final properties of the metal.
Injection moulding
The feedstock is fed into an injection machine similar to those used in plastic injection.
By pressure, the feedstock is injected into a mould with the desired geometry, forming what is known as the "green part", which has the final shape of the component, but still contains binder.
Debinding
Once removed from the mould, the "green piece" undergoes a deagglomeration process to remove the binder from the structure.
This process can be carried out by heat or specific solvents that remove organic components, leaving a "brown part", which is fragile and porous, and maintains the shape of the original mould.
Sintered
The brown part undergoes a sintering process in a high-temperature furnace in a controlled atmosphere. During this step, the metal powder is fused, removing porosity and compacting to form a solid structure.
The sintered part is now a dense and solid metal component, which can have a density of up to 98% of the density of pure metal, with a slight shrinkage (between 15-20%) compared to the green part.
Finishes
The sintered part may require additional finishes such as heat treatment, precision machining or coatings, depending on the requirements of the final product.
These treatments improve specific properties, such as wear resistance, hardness or corrosion resistance.
Materials used in MIM
- Ferrous alloys such as stainless steel (316L, 17-4 PH), mould steels and soft steels.
- Tugsten alloys, which have high density and excellent radiation protection, especially used in the medical, defense and aerospace sectors.
Special metals such as
- Titanium, a material of high resistance and low weight, in addition to being biocompatible, and Nickel and Molybdenum, for their high resistance to temperature.
Applications of Metal Injection Moulding
Metal injection moulding is widely used in industries that demand precision and strength parts, such as:
- Automotive Industry: Engine parts, transmission system components, and other small parts of high strength and durability.
- Medical industry: Manufacture of surgical instruments, components for implants and dental devices due to the precision and biocompatible properties of some materials.
- Electronic industry: Connectors, micro components and other parts where precision, compaction and conductivity are required.
- Firearms industry: Parts such as triggers, sights, internal mechanisms, and other components that require high strength and precision.
- Consumer Goods Industry: Manufacturing metal parts for luxury products such as watches, tools, and electronic devices.
Advantages
Some advantages of Metal Injection Moulding are:
- High precision and geometric complexity, ideal for tight tolerance parts.
- Excellent density and mechanical properties, comparable to forged metal parts.
- Efficient production in high volumes, with lower cost per part in large series.
- Reduced material waste and possibility of reusing excess material.
- Versatility in metallic materials and adaptability for various industrial applications.
Considerations
Some considerations regarding Metal Injection Moulding:
- Initial cost: High initial investment, although it pays for itself quickly for large production volumes
- Size Restriction: MIM is ideal for small and medium-sized parts, larger parts may present shrinkage and deformation problems during sintering
- Complexity in Debinding and Sintering: careful control of temperature and atmospheric conditions is required
FAQs – Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) & Precision Metal Manufacturing Insights
- What is Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)?
MIM is an advanced manufacturing process that combines plastic injection moulding and powder metallurgy to produce small, complex and high-precision metal parts. - What types of parts are produced using MIM?
It is used to manufacture small, intricate metal components such as gears, medical instruments, electronic parts and mechanical assemblies. - What are the advantages of MIM compared to machining or casting?
MIM allows high geometric complexity, excellent mechanical properties and cost-efficient mass production of small metal parts. - Which materials can be used in MIM manufacturing?
Common materials include stainless steel, low alloy steels, tool steels, titanium alloys and tungsten-based materials. - Is MIM suitable for high-volume production?
Yes, MIM is especially efficient for medium to high-volume production where precision and repeatability are required. - Can Ineo ship MIM parts internationally?
Yes, Ineo delivers MIM components from Barcelona, Spain to clients across Europe and worldwide with full logistics support.
We would be delighted to be able to assist you during the development process of your project
Our technical team will help you to find the most suitable technology for the production of you your prototypes.
We aim to deliver top quality models and prototypes to make sure that customers can easily verify their designs matching the reality for which the final product has been conceived, reaching the level of precision required.
Our project managers offer you support and constant monitoring throughout the whole fabrication process of your project to make sure parts are delivered on time and within budget.
And of course, we guarantee complete confidentiality of your project.
National and International Delivery Times for Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
Need your parts ASAP?
Ineo provides manufacturing services for professional applications, guaranteeing fast-turnaround deliveries with optimized lead times.
We advise, design, manufacture, and distribute nationally and internationally from Terrassa (Barcelona, Spain).
📦 No minimum order quantity – Guaranteed delivery times – Technical support
Delivery Times in Spain:
The total lead time for manufacturing parts via Metal Injection Molding (MIM) depends on whether a new mold must be developed, the selected metal type, and the number of parts required. Additional processes such as sintering or secondary treatments also play a role.
Key factors affecting delivery time include:
- Part design and complexity
- Requirement to manufacture a new mold
- Type of metal alloy used
- Quantity of parts to be produced
- Post-processing (sintering, heat or surface treatment)
- Quality validations
If a new mold is required, the complete lead time typically ranges from 6 to 10 weeks, including initial validation. Once the mold is approved, series production of the parts usually takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on quantity and secondary processes.
In most cases, an initial sample run is produced for customer validation, which may impact total lead time depending on the number of iterations needed.
Once we receive the final design, we can provide a more precise estimated delivery time. If urgent requirements exist, we will evaluate possible alternatives to optimize timelines.
Deliveries to Canary Islands, Balearics, Ceuta & Melilla:
Shipments to these regions may require 1-5 additional business days due to logistics and (for Canary Islands) customs processing.
International Deliveries:
Orders outside Spain require extended lead times. Additional delivery time varies by destination country and local logistics/customs factors.
For precise international delivery estimates, contact our customer service team.
Ready to manufacture your parts?
INEO PROTOTIPOS S.L.
C/Avenc del Daví, 6 Pol.Ind.Can Petit
Terrassa, Barcelona 08227
Tel. +34 937 337 000
Email: contact@ineo.es
Web: https://www.ineo.es