You must be aware of the old casting, grinding, and milling processes used in metalworking. Choosing one reliable option from them was challenging due to varied design balancing, budgeting, and tolerancing expectations. Fortunately, the advent of new techniques has changed this scenario. Have you heard about PM? This manufacturing method stands out for providing flexible, precise, accurate, and pocket-friendly solutions for different industries at a fast speed. Whether you need metal or non-metal (ceramic /composite) material parts, the new processes are excellent at delivering results.
Powder Metallurgy (PM) helps make components and parts using non-metal and metal powders through PCM or MIM services. MIM refers to metal injection molding, and PCM is powder compression molding. These methods can create intricate, complex parts, which may not be possible with a conventional manufacturing process to achieve. Using high pressure, PCM presses the metal powder into a specific shape with a die. It can use hard alloys and alloys with high melting points or metals like aluminum, titanium, and tungsten. MIM, on the other hand, employs the best of PM and plastic injection molding techniques. For industries needing intricate solutions, collaborating with an investment casting company can further enhance production precision and quality.
PM vs. traditional manufacturing
Unlike conventional manufacturing systems, PM utilizes most materials, creating little waste. Its utilization rate is almost 98%. CNC machining, sand casting, and die casting create more industrial waste. PM’s production cost is affordable since it doesn’t require much machining. Another parameter to compare PM with traditional production systems is design flexibility. Older techniques can hardly produce intricate or complex parts. However, PM’s flexible design approach is a boon for designers and engineers. You can give them your design requirements for customization and enjoy the results, too. Plus, the versatility of PM allows you to access non-metal and metal powder products with higher strength, heat resistance, and wear.
Why should you rely on PM over conventional metalworking methods?
As hinted, the advanced metalworking process offers numerous advantages over traditional processes. Opting for products made through this new process can lead to:
- Higher savings due to mass production,
- Ease of production of various compositions, including metal-metal or non-metal and metal combination,
- Greater dimensional accuracy of the product and less dependence on finishing operations in some cases,
- Quick access to affordable raw materials,
- Consistent component properties and sizes,
- Fewer operations to build a finished component as against older fabrication methodologies,
- Control over the porosity of the manufactured parts,
- Less metal scrap,
- Wear-resistant and friction co-efficient parts,
- Better shapes that cannot be achieved through machining,
- Parts with sound chemical similarity.
To be precise, the powdered metal production process can make complex structures to exact specifications at a much lower cost. For more knowledge, you can check Powder Metallurgy Company. These companies can manufacture powder metallurgy parts for automotive, aerospace, medical, electronics, and industrial equipment. For example, car makers require bearings, shafts, etc. Aerospace applications can rely on this process to obtain structural parts with high-temperature resistance for the engines. Dental implants, surgical instruments, and others are also made from powdered metal nowadays. Hence, it can be worth exploring this territory.
