The application of MIM technology is becoming increasingly popular, which is not surprising, as it possesses numerous characteristics that the more familiar and widespread CNC machining cannot compete with. Among the advantages of MIM, the speed and volume of production are usually highlighted, since continuous developments over the past decades have made the technology increasingly sophisticated. As a result, extremely precise metal components can be manufactured using this process, and significantly faster and in much larger quantities than with other methods. Many choose MIM technology because it generates minimal material waste, as nearly 100% of the leftover material can be reused. Environmental protection and sustainability are also becoming increasingly important in the industry today. In addition to the traditional advantages of MIM technology, AFT, present in Hungary since 2001, also undertakes the production of special materials.
Ready-made Powders or In-house Mixing Facility
Companies working with MIM technology have two options regarding raw materials. One option is to purchase ready-mixed powders available on the market, which already contain the plastic binder. AFT chose the other solution: we established our own mixing facility, where a metallurgical engineer supervises the process of creating alloys tailored to individual requirements. The materials needed for the desired alloy (such as iron powder, extra carbon, manganese) as well as the binder are portioned on a computer-controlled scale. The resulting powder is then placed into a mixer, and the spaghetti-shaped end product is ground into granules to achieve the form required for use.
From “Good Enough” to the Best
Being able to produce any special material has the advantage that we are not limited to pre-made alloy powders when a customer approaches us with specific requirements. This means we never have to settle for “good enough”; there is always the opportunity to use the best material. However, the best does not always mean the most expensive or the most popular. A good example is titanium, whose alloys are sought after for their high strength and low density, yet its use is often unnecessary, as it is extremely expensive and difficult to process. It can be excellently replaced with cheaper stainless steels or cobalt-chrome alloys.