Factors to Consider When Making a Prototype of Powdered Metal or Sintered Metal Parts

February 15, 2021

The powder metallurgy process entails the production of parts and components out of metal powders. One main reason why this process is being utilised by many industries is that it reduces or even avoids the use of metal removal processes.

There are three major processing steps that are often carried out by powder metallurgy. The first step deals with the production of the metal powder. This specific material often comes from metal ore that is crushed and mixed with other elements. The second step of powder metallurgy would be the compaction and shaping of the powder. The final step of powder metallurgy is known as the consolidation or fusion of powder into a die. This step requires high temperature and pressure to effectively produce a great result.

Benefits of Powder Metallurgy Products

Industries such as automobile, food & drink, and electronics have enjoyed the presence of powdered metal or sintered metal parts since they bring numerous benefits to their respective applications. For one, powder metallurgy products are known to be long-lasting due to their good surface finish and controlled porosity. These products also have increased strength and respectable wear resistance.

Another great benefit of powder metallurgy products is that they minimise the consumption of resources. They even lessen scrap losses as powder metallurgy processes ensure that most raw materials will be used and maximised. Powder metallurgy products likewise require very little or no machining.

Important Factors in Making a Prototype

But to ensure that the whole powder metallurgy process can generate high-quality powdered metal or sintered metal parts, industries are recommended to create prototypes first. The creation of prototypes can give businesses a chance to evaluate their design before producing a massive volume of parts and components. To date, there are three factors that should be considered in making a prototype.

1. Quantity of Prototypes: Prototypes are meant to be reviewed before the actual production. Hence, creating many prototype pieces can be done since it does not truly cost a lot. However, the number of prototypes would still depend on the volume of the desired powdered or sintered metal parts. If one intends to produce more than a hundred parts, it will certainly not benefit from prototypes anymore since building a set of production tools would be cheaper compared to producing prototypes.
2. Overall Size: Another factor to consider in making a prototype is its overall size. The blank preparation for the prototype is normally done by slug moulding and sintering, machining to dimension, and secondary processes such as sintering. All these processes take time. If the size of the blank is somehow big, then expect some added days before one can check the prototype.
3. Structural Properties: The structural properties of the prototype must also be considered if one wants to truly check the density and finishes of their desired products.

First Class Services of PM Distributors

If you want to obtain prototypes of powdered metal or sintered metal parts, then feel free to call us at PM Distributors. We are a company based in Dandenong South, Victoria, Australia, that is dedicated to providing first-class service and bearings for your place of business or establishment. We specialise in providing customised solutions to all our clients.

 

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