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Production of CIM and MIM components consists of six steps:
Mixing the compound (compound = powder + binder)
Fine ceramic or metallic powder is mixed with a thermoplastic binder system and granulated to a compound specified for injection moulding. This compound can be processed with a similar degree of freedom like plastics injection moulding.
Powder Injection Moulding: core process of CIM/MIM technology
Using CIM and MIM technology the parts are processed on especially equipped injection moulding machines (green part production).
A key component comprises the injection tools either produced in our own workshop or in close cooperation with experienced and competent business partners.
maxon ceramic® only designs profitable component concepts.
Catalytic debinding: cost-effective and fast
After injection moulding, the green parts are conveyed to the debinding process, where the binder is separated from the green part, achieved by a catalytic debinding process at approx. 120 °C under protective gas atmosphere. The binder is gradually removed from the injection moulded part from the outside inward. The binder's gaseous decomposition products thus escape via already porous layers without any pressure build-up towards periphery. Conversely, the gaseous catalyzer easily moves to the inside of the component.
Sintering: for hardness and wear-resistance
After debinding, the components are sintered at approx. 1,300°C (MIM) respectively 1,500°C (CIM) in a sintering oven. The still porous layers become compact, hard and wear-resistant materials. The components are subject to a linear 22% shrinkage.
Finishing - if necessary
As the surface quality after sintering is already high, finishing is often not necessary. If needed, components can additionally be processed by conventional techniques, such as grinding, polishing, cutting, soldering etc.
Quality control - to safeguard maxon's high quality standards
Strict quality controls using state-of-the-art methods and technologies ensure compliance of maxon ceramic® components with specifications.
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