Metal injection molding or is a manufacturing process which combines the versatility of plastic injection molding with the strength and integrity of machined, Machine press or otherwise manufactured small, complex, metal parts.... where fine metal powders are injection molded with a polymer or other binder. Then a series of steps removes the binder and the metal powder is fused into its final shape by heat and pressure (sintering
Sintering
Sintering is a method for making objects from Powder , by heating the material below its melting point until its particles adhesion to each other.... ).
Other near net shape techniques use precision manufacturing methods such as isostatic pressing, gelcasting, superplastic forming
Superplastic forming
Superplastic forming is a metalworking process for forming sheet metal. It works upon the theory of superplasticity, which means that a material can elongate beyond 100% of its original size.... , rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping is the automatic construction of physical objects using solid freeform fabrication. The first techniques for rapid prototyping became available in the late 1980s and were used to produce models and prototype parts.... and the Lanxide process to produce precision parts which require very little finishing work.
Reducing traditional finishing such as machining or grinding eliminates more than two-thirds of the production costs in some industries.
Near net shape can also be used for structural ceramic
Ceramic
File:Bridge from dental porcelain.jpgFile:Qing vase p1070256.jpgA ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetal solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling.... production.
