Ultraseal expands sub-contract impregnation service

Metal injection mouidin9 markets studied Gorham Advanced Materials I n s t i t u t e of G o r h a m , Maine, US.& is to l a u n c h a multiclient study of metal injection moulding (MIM). Dr 2mdrew C. N3ve, president, says t h a t m a r k e t s for MIM parts have undergone rapid g r o ~ h a n d change since 1985 w h e n t h e total global market w~as less t h a n $10 million. In 1989 G o t h a m e s t i m a t e d t h a t the world,wide m a r k e t was in excess of $40 million a n d t h a t by 2000, the global MIM m a r k e t could easily s u r p a s s $1.0 billion. More t h a n 45 c o m p a n i e s worldwide are now engaged in comm e r c i a l p r o d u c t i o n of MIM parts, as well as t h e several hundred other companies worldwide w h o p u r c h a s e production q u a n t i t i e s of MIM parts, providing a s o u n d basis for the o p t i m i s m s u r r o u n d i n g MIM's future. However, G o t h a m says, t h e MIM i n d u s t r y is f r a g m e n t e d , highly secretive a n d not well known to t h e user industries which could benefit from t h e s a ~ n g s a n d i m p r o v e d perform a n c e a n d f u n c t i o n a l i t y possible w i t h MIM. F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e t r a d i t i o n a l powder metallurgy (PM) p a r t s makers who have t h e m o s t direct c o n t a c t with p o t e n t i a l MIM users have b e e n s l o w to e x p a n d t h e i r businesses to include MIM. G e r h a m believes t h a t t h e time is right for a n in-depth r e a s s e s s m e n t of t h e markets, a p p l i c a t i o n s , technology, a n d c o m p e t i t i v e e n v i r o n m e n t for MIM parts. The p r o p o s e d study. will be i n t e r n a t i o n a l , a n d have t h e following objectives: - a n a l y s e c u r r e n t a n d potential MIM a p p l i c a t i o n s on a n industry-by-industry and c o m p a n y - b y - c o m p a n y basis over t h e period 1990-2000; -end user-based forecasts in Sterling a n d US$ of MIM p a r t s by application, alloy a n d m a r k e t sector; -- provide i n - d e p t h profiles of MIM p a r t u s e r s , o r i g i n a l equipment manufacturers a n d p a r t producers; --assess t h e i m p a c t of t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y of n e w l o w e r cost m e t a l powders, binder systems a n d d e b i n d i n g me-

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t h o d s o n MIM p a r t s cost, weight a n d volume production; a n d -assess t h e s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t from the p o i n t of ~iew of shortcomings t h a t m u s t be overcome before t h e i n d u s t r y realizes its full potential. In addition to being used as i n p u t s to p l a n n i n g for MIM parts, raw materials a n d equipm e n t suppliers, G o r h a m says t h a t t h e study will be particularly useful to c o m p a n i e s eval u a t i n g e n t e r i n g t h e MIM business by acquisition, merger, j o i n t venture, licensing or greenfield, a n d to p r e s e n t a n d future MIM users. The s t u d y team, u n d e r t h e direction of Dr N:/ce, will include Edwin Hodge, Michael Concannon, Bill Verduzco, Marie Kaczensk-i, Akiro Okuyama, Dr Kozo Ishizaki, Dr Yancey Smith, Dr Randall German, Dr L e a n d e r Pease, a n d Spencer Schilling.

To obtain a prospectus and table of contents, contact: Lisa Conologue, Gotham Advanced Materials Institute, PO B o x 250, Gorham, ME 04038-0250, USA; tel: 207-892-5445; fax: 207-892-2210.

Ultraseal expands sub-contract impregnation service Major d e v e l o p m e n t of U l t r a seal's impregnation sub-cont r a c t i n g o p e r a t i o n in Coleshill, UK, h a s boosted capacity a n d improved quality. Paul Young, a director of t h e company, claims t h a t Ultraseal's j o b shop is t h e best in the business. The firm h a s the capability to i m p r e g n a t e complex compon e n t s w i t h o u t leaving s e a l a n t residues, a p r o b l e m afflicting m o s t t r a d i t i o n a l systems. Using t h e Ultraseal ~LX system a 24 h o u r t u r n a r o u n d is offered on a l m o s t every job. The MX system provides prewashing of c o m p o n e n t s to high standards, impregnation with Ultraseal MX or PC504/66 sealants u n d e r vacuum and effic i e n t r o t a t i o n a l w a s h i n g to e n s u r e a high degree of cleanliness on t h e finished components.

Paul Young, Ultraseal Ltd, Centurion House, Roman Way, Coleshill, B i r m i n g h a m B46 1HQ, UK; tel: 0675-467000;