The Effect of Powder Loading on Dimensional Variability in PIM

摘要

Dimensional variation in powder injection molding (PIM) is one of the key issues for broadening the use of this process to a greater number of applications. Process capability has only been addressed by a few studies in the technical literature and manufacturing details still remain proprietary, In this study, the dimensional variability of a metal injection molding (MIM) process for 316 L stainless steel is reported. The main variable investigated in this part of a series of experiments on variability is the powder loading of the feedstock. A design of experiments (DOE) approach is used to statistically analyze the effect of the powder loading on the variability of multiple dimensions of a typical MIM component after molding and debinding.