Pressing and Sintering is the cornerstone and most widely utilized manufacturing route in Powder Metallurgy (PM) for producing high-precision, net-shape structural parts.
Pressing and Sintering is the cornerstone and most widely utilized manufacturing route in Powder Metallurgy (PM) for producing high-precision, net-shape structural parts. The process involves the mechanical consolidation of metal or ceramic powders under high uniaxial pressure at room or slightly elevated temperatures, followed by a thermal treatment (sintering) in a controlled furnace atmosphere at temperatures below the melting point of the primary alloy constituent.
Powder metallurgy compaction and thermal processing require specialized mechanical, hydraulic, and multi-axis CNC servo-presses, integrated with continuous conveyorized or batch vacuum sintering furnaces.
PM presses differ fundamentally from sheet-metal forming presses by their requirement to control the powder mass displacement during compaction.
Powder compaction tooling is subjected to severe cyclic sliding wear and compressive stresses. Unlike conventional cutting tools, compaction tools operate in a closed geometric environment, directly forming the shape of the component.
A standard tooling assembly comprises the following components:
| Category | Formative Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Library | CNC machining |
Engineer, author of The Big Book of 3D Printing and additive manufacturing expert