Plastic to MIM Conversion
A leading company who works in underwater robotics
This company came to MPP with a rough design for a 4-part (5-piece) assembly for their underwater robotics application. The original parts were produced out of plastic and did not perform as needed in the harsh underwater environments that their robotic platform operated.
They needed a partner that could produce these parts in metal and be cost competitive, while providing the repeatability their product required.
A leading company who works in underwater robotics
This company came to MPP with a rough design for a 4-part (5-piece) assembly for their underwater robotics application. The original parts were produced out of plastic and did not perform as needed in the harsh underwater environments that their robotic platform operated.
They needed a partner that could produce these parts in metal and be cost competitive, while providing the repeatability their product required.
After initial design reviews, our technical team worked with the designer at the company to create robust designs suited for Metal Injection Molding. Our focus was to reduce secondary operations and provide parts complete to the customer for assembly on their units. Except for one in-house machining operation and one external coating operation, these parts ship as complete assemblies to the customer.
When determining the path forward on the project, MPP chose to produce all four parts in a common family tool with a switch gate design. Additionally, since MPP produces our own feedstock, we were able to trial different materials ultimately settling on one with a coating that exceeded the customer requirements.
When it comes to the parts themselves, MPP utilized open-close tooling to produce the thumb screw and the specified ACME style threads. We then developed a robust machining operation to cut internal ACME threads into the crossbar.
Exceeding customer requirements
Partnering with MPP exceeded the customer requirements and did away with the need to do iterations of prototypes. Tooling remained economical and provided a lower barrier to entry into our technology than competing houses. This unique tooling approach reduced the customer's overall tooling expense by around 75%. Overall, we were able to provide an exceptional product on time and within budget requirements.
In recognition of these extraordinary efforts, MPP was honored with an Award of Distinction by the Metal Powder Industries Federation for this project.