High Performance Metal Injection Molding For Camera Core Components

Product Specification

Metal Injection Molding MIM Stainless Steel For Camera Core Components And Casing

Metal injection moulding (MIM) is delivering the three-dimensional shape capability of plastic injection moulding combined with the performance of alloy steels, stainless steels and high temperature alloys. MIM is uniquely positioned to solve extreme product challenges, enabling the production of complex, high-density components with minimal material waste.

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) Process

Metal powders are blended with binders and formed into a feedstock, which is then injection moulded into complex shapes with high accuracy. After moulding, the parts undergo debinding and sintering in a controlled environment, achieving high density and near-wrought material properties. Secondary treatments such as heat treatment, surface coating, or machining further enhance durability and performance to meet exacting standards.

Feedstock Preparation

The MIM process begins with the creation of feedstock, a carefully blended mixture of metal powders and binding agents.

Powder Blending: Metal powders are selected and blended to achieve the required material properties.
Granulation: The blended feedstock is processed into granular pellets to ensure consistency in injection moulding.
Process Control: Engineers apply precise controls to maintain powder characteristics and material integrity.

Benefit: This stage ensures uniform material distribution, supporting the production of complex, high-performance components.

Injection Moulding Process

In the injection moulding stage, the feedstock is injected into a mould under controlled conditions.

Injection of Feedstock: The feedstock is injected into a preheated mould, where it is heated to a molten state to flow into the die cavity.
Green Part Formation: After injection, the molten feedstock cools and solidifies, forming the "green" part. This part is typically 90% metal powder and 10% binder, offering high tensile strength.
Geometric Complexity: The MIM process can achieve intricate features such as undercuts, thin walls (as low as 1mm), and internal voids, which would be challenging or impossible with other processes.

Benefit: The injection moulding process enables cost-effective production of complex parts, reducing material waste and simplifying manufacturing.

Debinding and Sintering

Once the green part is formed, it undergoes debinding and sintering to transform it into a high-strength, fully functional component.

Debinding: The binder material is removed through a continuous catalytic process that turns the binder into gas, leaving behind a porous "brown" part.
Sintering: The brown part is heated in a controlled atmosphere to allow the metal particles to fuse together, resulting in a component that exhibits mechanical properties comparable to solid wrought materials. During this process, the part typically shrinks by 16–18%, achieving near-theoretical density.
Benefit: Debinding and sintering ensure that the component achieves the required strength, density, and dimensional stability, making it suitable for high-performance applications.

Secondary Processing

Post-sintering, MIM components can undergo further processing to enhance their mechanical properties and meet specific customer requirements.

Heat Treatment: Tailored heat treatments improve strength, hardness, and toughness of components.

Surface Coatings: We apply coatings to enhance corrosion resistance, wear resistance, or to provide an aesthetic finish.

Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP): This process helps to further improve the component’s density and mechanical properties.

Laser Marking: For product identification or branding, we offer laser marking solutions that are precise and permanent.

Benefit: Secondary processing improves the performance, appearance, and durability of MIM parts, ensuring they meet the exacting standards for our customers.

Precision metal processing of camera core components

Lens and Optical Components
The lens components of high-end cameras, such as the lens ring and focus ring, as well as the optical base, often use CNC milling parts made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel. For example, search results show that five axis CNC milling technology can machine complex surfaces, ensuring that the tolerance between the lens mount and the sensor plane is controlled within ± 0.005mm, avoiding imaging blur caused by assembly deviations.

Sensor fixed bracket
The image sensor needs to be fixed with a precision metal bracket to isolate external vibrations. Processed using a combination of turning and milling techniques, it combines lightweight (density 2.7g/cm ³) and high rigidity (tensile strength ≥ 310MPa)

Processing requirements for shells and structural components
The casing of professional grade cameras with integrated metal shell is often machined as a whole using CNC milling of magnesium alloy or aviation aluminum. This type of process avoids the seam problem of traditional stamped parts and enhances waterproof and dustproof performance.

What Surface Treatment can be used?

Metal milling parts can undergo various surface treatments, including mechanical treatment (polishing, sandblasting), chemical treatment (pickling, passivation), electrochemical treatment (electroplating, anodizing), coating treatment (spraying, electrophoretic coating), heat treatment (surface hardening), as well as laser treatment and PVD/CVD coating.

Why choose us?
Our company focuses on CNC machining and turning services, and has rich experience in manufacturing aluminum alloy components.