Abstract
In this study, the micro forcep of end-effector for robot surgery was produced by powder injection molding. The 17-4PH stainless steel powder and binder system based on a wax-polymer were mixed to fabricate the feedstock. The optimum solid loading (vol. %) was determined by the torque rheometer experiments. After injection molding, debinding and sintering were carried out, final product having small and regular patterns was produced.
Highlights
Micro powder injection molding ( -PIM) technology combined by plastic injection molding and conventional powder metallurgy has been known as a near net shaping technology suitable for the fabrication of microcomponents [1]
The optimum solid loading which is a balanced mixture of powder and binder can determine success or failure of subsequent PIM processes
In order to design the mold for injection molding, the shrinkage during sintering has to be considered to obtain the precise dimension of final components
Summary
Micro powder injection molding ( -PIM) technology combined by plastic injection molding and conventional powder metallurgy has been known as a near net shaping technology suitable for the fabrication of microcomponents [1]. The PIM process consists of four steps; (i) mixing – producing the pelletized feedstock of the powder and organic binders, (ii) molding – injecting the feedstock melt into the mold cavity, similar with thermoplastics; (iii) debinding – extracting or removing the organic binders out of injection molded part via solvents or the thermal energy, (iv) sintering – densifying the debound part from the low initial density to the high final density, close to the full density [2]. Schematic diagram of powder injection molding [3]. In this regards, -PIM technology is employed to produce medical devices such as an endo-tip for the dental application and an end-effector for the robot surgery.
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