Sintering parts manufacturing
Can I use sintering for my parts ?
There are several limitation to the use of the sintering process for your metal parts :
- Size limitations, we can provide parts that fits into the range of D10mm to D220mm only.
- Quantities : the MOQ for sintering production batch is between 500 and 1000 parts according to part size. Usual order size are closer to 10 000 parts.
- Due to the process the shape of the parts are limited or will require additional machining and thus will be more expensive.
- Material quality, while the strength of the part is very good, forging should be preferred for very critical parts.
Sintering references :
Why using sintering ?
AGCIS explains below what are the advantages of sintering :
Easier for some complex shapes :
For gear wheels sintering allows a quick manufacturing without additional machining. Vertical holes can also be directly made out in the mold.
High precision:
Manufacturing tolerances are different in height and width. In width, basic tolerances are IT 8-9 (equivalent 0.08 to 0.09mm for 10mm dimension), and can reach IT 5-7 (0.05 to 0.07mm for 10mm) if a calibration (see below) is made.
For the height of the part, tolerances are IT 10-13, which is equivalent to 0.1 to 0.13 mm for a 10mm dimension.
High repeatability:
The sintering process use mold and high pressure, this ensures high repeatability of the parts and therefore a stable quality.
Large possibilities of materials:
Metal powder can be custom mixed with most of the elements, that enables an infinite possibilities of materials characteristics.
Lighter parts:
Due to the microstructure of the sintered parts that include micro-porosities, parts are lighter than equivalent casting or machining parts.
Surface rougthness:
Parts made by sintering have a generic good surface rougthness, that can be improved by surface treatment at the end of the production process.
How a sintering factory works ?
Detailed process of a sintering factory :
First the material is blend to obtain an homogeneous mix of metal powder.
![Metal powder blending](https://agcis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/blending-300x400.jpg)
Metal powder blending
Then that powder is heated and pressed into a mold at several hundred tons.
![Sintering press](https://agcis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/press-300x400.jpg)
Sintering press
The next phase is removing the oil into a first in-line automatic oven.
![Oil removing by heating](https://agcis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/heating-3-400x241.jpg)
Oil removing by heating
Then the parts are entered in the sintering mold, which will heat the parts just below their fusion point.
![Sintering factory](https://agcis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sintering-400x268.jpg)
Sintering oven
If tight tolerances are required, the parts are pressed a second time in a calibration mold.
![Calibration press](https://agcis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/calibration-press-262x400.jpg)
Calibration press
Finally the parts will be cooled and may receive additional post treatments like heat treatment, sanding or painting.