Development of Dental Scaler Tip and its Mold for Powder Injection Molding: Mold Design and CAE Analysis

摘要

With the capability of net shaping for complex 3D geometry, powder injection molding (PIM) is widely used for automotive parts, electronics and medical industry. In this study, an ultrasonic dental sealer tip produced by machining process was redesigned for the PIM process. An injection mold was designed and machined to produce the dental sealer tip by the PIM process. The mold design was aided by CAE analysis. A PIM feedstock was made of SUS316L powder and a wax based binder. The filling balance in the mold was checked by a short shot test with LDPE and the PIM feedstock. Production capability of the PIM process for the dental sealer tip was examined with the mold. Although there were minor problems such as a discoloration around the gate and a flashing at the air vent, the PIM process turned out to be an excellent substitute for machining process to manufacture the ultrasonic dental sealer tip.