Fabrication of microparts by micro Powder Injection Molding (microPIM)

The microPIM or "micropowder injection molding" process is a variation on the PIM or "powder injection molding" process, for the manufacture of micro-parts (millimeter size). This process has become an industrial standard for the manufacture of micro-parts. It enables components to be produced directly to dimensions, without the need for reworking, and in a very wide range of materials. Industrial players such as micro-MIM ^® , in Japan, or Donatelle, in the United States, market a wide variety of products in a wide range of materials.

With the current high demand for the development of microsystems and micro-parts, new applications are regularly emerging. The manufacturing techniques most commonly used in industry are isotropic or anisotropic volume micromachining, by liquid or ion bombardment, or surface micromachining.

These "classic" manufacturing techniques have their limitations, as the choice of materials that can be used is limited. They can only be used to shape silicon objects or electrolyzable materials. These processes also have the disadvantage of being complex and relatively costly.

The microPIM process is one of a number of new shaping processes for the manufacture of micro-components and, potentially, MEMS. It is a "net-shape" process that enables components to be manufactured directly to dimensions, without the need for reworking, and in any type of material.

The aim of this article is to give the reader a basic understanding of the microPIM process, enabling him or her to grasp the broad outlines of its implementation, the applications for which the process is relevant, and finally the trends for the future, enabling the reader to project future developments in this process.