MIM Parts - What's the Problem?
- Thread starter Anthony
- Start date
Jorah Lavin
New member
The best camera...
Is the one you have with you when you need to take the shot...
I own some nice cameras, but they sit in the closet... the semi-disposable plastic fantastic travels everywhere with me! 24 shots, but you have to wind each one yourself...
Better to have it and not need it than otherwise... blah blah blah... wow... sounds familiar!
Is the one you have with you when you need to take the shot...
I own some nice cameras, but they sit in the closet... the semi-disposable plastic fantastic travels everywhere with me! 24 shots, but you have to wind each one yourself...
Better to have it and not need it than otherwise... blah blah blah... wow... sounds familiar!
MIM
What hasn't been discussed in this thread is how in some cases MIM parts could be significantly stronger than machined parts. That's because the design engineer has a lot more flexibility in designing the part. He can design the part as a solid model in one of many CAD systems in use (Kahr uses SolidWorks) then use a Finite Element Analysis program to analyze the loads and optimize the shape for the application at hand. This also means the design engineer can use lower per-unit cost MIM parts in some areas so they can substitute better materials or finish in some other area and still meet cost targets. As people demand more features and higher performance, this is just another tool. Design engineers aren't stupid - in fact they're generally pretty conservative - but can be let down by poorly manufactured parts. There are well designed and well finished MIM parts and some not as good, but it's done to increase the feature content of the product at the price point they are aiming for.
What hasn't been discussed in this thread is how in some cases MIM parts could be significantly stronger than machined parts. That's because the design engineer has a lot more flexibility in designing the part. He can design the part as a solid model in one of many CAD systems in use (Kahr uses SolidWorks) then use a Finite Element Analysis program to analyze the loads and optimize the shape for the application at hand. This also means the design engineer can use lower per-unit cost MIM parts in some areas so they can substitute better materials or finish in some other area and still meet cost targets. As people demand more features and higher performance, this is just another tool. Design engineers aren't stupid - in fact they're generally pretty conservative - but can be let down by poorly manufactured parts. There are well designed and well finished MIM parts and some not as good, but it's done to increase the feature content of the product at the price point they are aiming for.