Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a relatively young manufacturing process and is not as widely known as CNC machining, yet in many ways it is a far more efficient method. The advantages of MIM include its production speed and volume, as it allows for the rapid manufacturing of large quantities of parts. Another benefit is that even extremely small and intricately detailed components can be produced in series—something that would be impossible with other technologies. A third reason why many choose MIM is the minimal material waste, as almost 100% of production scrap can be recycled, significantly reducing manufacturing costs. These characteristics make MIM technology particularly attractive to the automotive industry.
Turbo Blades for Leading Brands
One of AFT’s most popular products is the turbo blade, produced in tens of millions of units, which is an essential component in the turbo engines of well-known car brands such as Audi, Hyundai, KIA, and Volkswagen. The Hungarian-produced turbo blades are ordered by Garrett – Advancing Motion, and these blades are assembled into turbo engines in the company’s Swiss plants before being installed in vehicles. Components of an engine may be produced by hundreds of different subcontractors, while a single finished vehicle can have over a thousand suppliers. For the production of AFT’s turbo blades, MIM is undoubtedly the most efficient method. This is due not only to production speed and volume but also to the HK30 steel alloy used, which must withstand temperatures from –30 ºC to 600–800 ºC. Given the high cost of this material, MIM’s minimal waste process becomes particularly valuable.
From BMW to Tesla
In addition to turbo blades, AFT manufactures other automotive components, such as parts for fuel injectors or sensors. The final customers for these components include well-known brands like Caterpillar, BMW, Citroën, Ford, and Tesla. Since MIM technology allows these parts to be produced on average 20% more cheaply than precision casting alternatives, it provides a significant cost advantage for orders numbering hundreds of thousands or even millions of units.