application: medication carts functional requirements: enough strength to resist “low-tech” lock...
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MIM Case Study – Lock Handle MIM Case Study – Lock Handle ComponentsComponents
Application: Medication Carts
Functional Requirements: Enough strength to resist “low-tech” lock disabling techniques; non-magnetic
MIM Case Study – Lock Handle MIM Case Study – Lock Handle ComponentsComponents
Competing Technology: They were initially plastic, which did not have acceptable strength
Material: MIM-316L
MIM Case Study – Handle 1MIM Case Study – Handle 1
1. Part weight 92 grams
2. Needs sintering supports to prevent distortion in the furnace
3. ID extended to cut down on cross-sectional thickness
4. Reasonable corrosion resistance
MIM Case Study – Handle 2MIM Case Study – Handle 2
1. Part weight 47 grams
2. “Free” extra features to “lighten” parts put in tool opening & closing directions
3. Reasonable corrosion resistance
MIM Case Study – HandlesMIM Case Study – Handles
Lightening features to get acceptable cross sectional thickness in MIM from the original plastic design
MIM Case Study – HandlesMIM Case Study – Handles
On both parts coining is required to open interrupted diameter, which closes in sintering.
Lightening Feature
MIM Case Study – HandlesMIM Case Study – Handles
• Why MIM?– 316L Material more than adequate for strength & corrosion
requirements – Geometry requires a molded part of some type (dies cast,
investment cast) with the same feature detail as plastic injection molding
– Yearly quantity low for MIM (<10,000/year) but engineering requirements were straightforward
– Plastic to MIM conversion relatively rare. The key to this project working for both sides is the high end value of the medication cart.