PIM technology in 3C applications - flexibility in a fast changing market - Martin Bloemacher, BASF AG, Germany

In recent years the 3C market has become fast growing with short life cycle times and a constant demand for innovative products. Besides functionality, design and fashion gains more and more importance as the customers focus increasingly on exclusiveness and life style. Thus the need for new and more flexible production methods becomes essential with the possibility to satisfy the demands of this fast changing market.
Powder Injection Molding (PIM), consisting of Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Ceramic Injection Molding (CIM), has established itself as a leading manufacturing technology in the production of metal and ceramic parts characterised by complex shape and large production runs.
The BASF ready-to-use granulated PIM feedstock named Catamold®, taking advantage of its patented revolutionary catalytic debinding technology, delivers superior dimensional accuracy and stability as well as a fast and controlled binder removal, thus enabling a fully continuous process. Examples will be shown of  how this technology can contribute to the demand of the fast changing 3C market by freedom in design and material choice combined with a short time to market and the possibility to realise large production volumes. Also, how customers benefit from the technical support and the intensive know-how gained by BASF in the recent decades will be explained as a further advantage for the adoption of this technology in 3C applications.