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Cutting production costs
Tuesday, 11 September, 2007
The benefits of using investment or injection moulding in the manufacture of complex shapes for defence equipment, are highlighted on Stand 851 by Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) and Precision Investment Castings (PIC). These companies can produce parts not normally economically possible by other manufacturing methods.
For example, the use of metal injection techniques allows the same types of parts typically made in plastics, to be produced in low alloy, stainless or tool steels, as well as magnetic irons, Invar and Kovar. The MIM process is said to be ideal for small components, where weight-saving designs often result in complex shaped parts. MIM parts have been supplied for guided missiles, hand guns, timing mechanisms, aircraft systems, electronics and communications equipment.
The benefits of investment castings are promoted with no less enthusiasm by PIC, which asserts that the more complex the shape, the more economic the process becomes in comparison with other metal production techniques. The company claims to have a lot to offer to designers, production engineers and procurement managers looking for design flexibility and economic production of metal parts.
PIC offers complex-shaped parts produced with close tolerances, fine detail and a smooth surface, saving production costs by reducing machining to a minimum. Castings are made in sizes from 5mm to 600mm in a wide range of metals including aluminium, low alloy steels, stainless and tool steels, brass, bronze and zinc.
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