Additive Manufacturing vs MIM

While some articles may show overlapping graphs comparing MIM technology and certain printing technologies like Binder Jetting, it is important to recognize that Additive Manufacturing (AM) and MIM are not competitive but rather complementary technologies. Here are some key differences between the two:

• Manufacturing Speed: AM allows for faster part development due to the elimination of mold manufacturing, while MIM excels in faster post-mold part production compared to printing technologies.
• Porosity and Microstructure: Printing technologies, particularly FDM, may result in larger porosity and printing defects, leading to lower metal part densities compared to MIM. The metal powder used in printing can also lead to incorrect microstructures, requiring additional heat treatments for improvement.
• Portfolio of Materials: MIM offers greater versatility in terms of available materials for manufacturing metal parts. While AM technologies continue to develop, their material portfolio is currently limited to stainless steels, some tool steel, and a few other materials.
• Surface Finish: AM techniques often exhibit increased roughness, necessitating secondary finishing operations to match the quality achieved in MIM. At Ecrimesa Group, we guarantee sintered roughness between 0.8 and 1.6 Ra.
• Design: AM technologies provide the opportunity to manufacture more complex parts, including hollow parts, bionic geometries, counter-flanges, and larger components.

By understanding these differences, we can leverage the strengths of both AM and MIM to meet various design and production needs effectively.