So Metal Injection Molding uses basically the same injection molding machines as plastic injection molding.... So why not have a MIM filament, just like there are plastic filaments for 3D printing? I know that there is a large shrink rate, a de-binding step, and a sintering step that will require special furnaces, or chemicals, but I am sure that can be dealt with. First step is to try to extrude some MIM filament and see if it can extrude in a 3D printer. The temperatures are nearly the same so it should be possible, though it may wear out nozzles quickly. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,225590#msg-225590 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:59:40 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,365681#msg-365681 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,365681#msg-365681
[www.3ders.org]


it´s not what you seek for , but similar, in processing > debindering > sintering]]> Lippenrother Polymer Working Group Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:30:08 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,325182#msg-325182 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,325182#msg-325182
Having said that if I can find some MIM Feedstock in Australia I will be giving this a shot to see how it comes out. Be brilliant to be able to print in this while using PLA or similar filament for support material. Only downside I can see is all the extra processes that it has to go through. If thermal de-binding is used from what I have seen it is generally a slow heat up and soak process that can last 8 hours+ so it may not be overly practical in most situations due to the cost & time.]]> hjubm2 Polymer Working Group Sat, 15 Mar 2014 06:01:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,319564#msg-319564 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,319564#msg-319564
I'm also looking into MIM filament.

I'm working in injection molding for more than 10 years, and I can tell you that MIM machine are basically the same than "classical" injection molding machine.

Since I'm also involved into rapid prototyping, 3D printing, etc... I was wondering that 3D printed MIM object will offer huge cost and lead time reduction for small quantities... for now I was not able to find any MIM filament...

Was anyone of you able to find one ?
If I provide MIM raw material (pellets), is anyone of you able to extrude (diam 1.75mm) and send the roll back ?


Binders are often a blend with a polyolefin (PP, HDPE, LLDPE) or POM, with a kind of wax.]]> Chaindog Polymer Working Group Tue, 04 Mar 2014 09:28:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,311870#msg-311870 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,311870#msg-311870 ekaggrat Polymer Working Group Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:00:24 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,229598#msg-229598 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,229598#msg-229598 -------------------------------------------------------
> 1013...interesting idea! am looking into this as
> we speak/type.
>
> Have you worked with MIM before? What kind of
> system (binder specifically) were you considering?

I have only dealt with ordering the final products....never really worked with the raw material. I have access to some furnaces that could be used for de-binding, and perhaps sintering...]]> Anonymous User Polymer Working Group Wed, 24 Jul 2013 12:38:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,229266#msg-229266 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,229266#msg-229266
Have you worked with MIM before? What kind of system (binder specifically) were you considering?]]> naughtymc Polymer Working Group Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:05:26 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,225590#msg-225590 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?184,225590,225590#msg-225590 So why not have a MIM filament, just like there are plastic filaments for 3D printing?

I know that there is a large shrink rate, a de-binding step, and a sintering step that will require special furnaces, or chemicals, but I am sure that can be dealt with.

First step is to try to extrude some MIM filament and see if it can extrude in a 3D printer. The temperatures are nearly the same so it should be possible, though it may wear out nozzles quickly.]]> Anonymous User Polymer Working Group Tue, 09 Jul 2013 19:28:59 -0400