Present Status of MIM Market in the U.S.

Abstract

It is said that there are more than 40 MIM (Metal Injection Molding)-related companies in America. Aiming at the diffusion of MIM, 21 of these companies have formed and are members of an organization called MIMA (Metal Injection Molding Association). MIMA is one of the lower branches of MPIF (Metal Powder Industries Federation). Among MIMA member companies, there are MIM parts producers; powders, binders and feedstock suppliers; and MIM machine, debinding and sintering equipment suppliers. Last year, MIMA sent out a questionnaire to each of its member companies to inquire into the present conditions and future prospects of the MIM business, problems that hinder the diffusion of MIM, measures to be taken in order to achieve diffusion, etc. The results, which were totaled and released to member companies last year in October, indicated that most of the companies believed that a lack of educational campaigns aimed at part designers, who are MIM customers, was impeding MIM diffusion. At present, since it is also believed in Japan that the achievement of diffusion of MIM technology depends on the improvement of the understanding level of part designers, JSPM (Japan Society of Powder and Powder Metallurgy) and JPMA (Japan Powder Metallurgy Association) have begun to take measures aiming at MIM standardization and educational campaigns. We have the impression that the problems confronting MIM are the same around the world. The findings of this survey provide very interesting hints, and we believe that they will be a good reference for the development of MIM technology in our country.