ABSTRACT
Production of multi-material micro components by different kinds of multi-component powder injection moulding is currently attracting more and more attention. Probably the most important reason for this trend is the saving of mounting steps. The assembly of micro components is more complicated and, therefore, more expensive than that of conventional items; cost reduction by multi-component injection moulding is thus of much higher importance. Furthermore, a wide range of micro product applications is opened by the possibility to combine materials with different or even diametral properties.
Indicative examples for 2C-MicroPIM devices are shaft-wheel components: While the gear wheel is moulded of zirconia the shaft is made of alumina. Investigations to fabricate immobile as well as mobile ceramic shaft-wheel components have been carried out recently, demonstrating the variety of the multi-component micro injection moulding technique.
Further promising opportunities are offered by micro inmould-labelling using PIM feedstocks, i.e. the rearward injection into a tool lined with foils containing metal and ceramic powders. It shall not only allow for a broader application of nanopowders but also of functional substances to be concentrated in the surface area. Although development has only started, initial trials led to promising results.
Keywords: Micro injection moulding, Powder injection moulding, Two-component injection moulding, Inmouldlabelling.
