application: medical electronics functional requirements: structurally intact; low thermal expansion...
TRANSCRIPT
MIM Case Study – ContactMIM Case Study – Contact• Application: Medical Electronics• Functional Requirements:
Structurally intact; low thermal expansion
• Competing Technology: Stamped flat base, welded wire for posts
• Overall Size: – Base 0.25 mm thick, 1.25 mm
square– Posts 0.5 mm diameter x 1.2
mm tall
• Part Weight: 0.007 grams• Material: MIM-Alloy 42,
subsequent Ni & Au plating
MIM Case Study – ContactMIM Case Study – Contact
- Small Part!- MIM to replace existing
process:- Base stamped out of gold-
plated sheet- Posts made from wire
form welded to base• - MIM seen as a cost savings
with better consistency
Key Characteristics- ContactKey Characteristics- Contact
Parts needs to be solderable to the circuit board; bumps molded in to allow flow of solder under part
One of two posts intact
No cracks
Minimal flash
Posts strong enough to not deflect when wire is welded to posts; center support section added
MIM Case Study – ContactMIM Case Study – Contact
• Why MIM?– More consistent position of posts– Connection of the posts to the base is more reliable in a one-
piece MIM part than the welded wire to the stamped base. – MIM Alloy 42 consistent with expected material properties– Economics of MIM regarding CAPEX, part price significantly
better than stamp & weld– MIM a more repeatable for high-volume technology for this
application
MIM Case Study – ContactMIM Case Study – Contact