PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF FLOW-ANALYSIS IN METAL INJECTION-MOLDING

The molding phase is the most critical step in the manufacture of a metal injection molded part. Many problems arise from molding which lead to defects such as distortion, cracks, voids and sinks. Flow analysis can be used to model the molding process with a computer. When adapted to MIM, flow analysis can save valuable time and cost by spotting design problems before the mold is fabricated. Accuracy of flow analysis software has been shown to be very good in modeling melt flow front advancement of the MIM feedstock. This can be useful in predicting gate location which is critical to the control of defects. The limiting factor in using flow analysis to the full potential is the human aspect of interpretation of results.