Miba opens new sinter plant

Global focus on PM sustainability The MPIF has released a new report focusing on ways in which the PM industry excels at sustainability. The new report, which is entitled “Powder Metallurgy – Intrinsically Sustainable”, details the contributions PM makes to sustainable manufacturing, such as using recycled steel and copper scrap as raw materials for metal powders produced annually in North America – with 85% of all PM grade metal powders produced from these recycled materials. The report says that a 312 g PM steel truck-transmission notch segment requires only six steps in the PM manufacturing process, compared to 17 steps when making the same part at 300 grams by forging and machining. PM also uses less energy at 1.243 kWh per piece compared to 2.847 kWh for the forged part. The net-shape feature of the PM process also eliminates the waste associated with machining that can result in as much as 40% of materials being machined away and discarded. While machining scrap can be recycled, it is extraneous to the final part and is a net loss to its material and energy eco-efficiency. On the other hand, PM offers a 95% material utilization rate, and uses less energy than cold and warm extrusion, hot forging, and machining, the report suggests. The report was issued as part of the federation’s Sustainability Initiative, which has also brought into being a new “green” logo supporting the sustainability claim in various promotions. www.mpif.org

Miba opens new sinter plant Miba has opened a new $16 million production site for sintered components in McConnelsville, Ohio, USA. The site, which employs about 60 people, will produce four million engine and transmission sintered components per year for use in passenger cars in North America. The products being produced at the new sinter plant are said to be high-precision, high-strength and technologically demanding components used in engines and transmissions for passenger cars. “These new technologies significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions in passenger cars,” said Harald Neubert, CEO of the Miba Sinter Group. Miba Bearings US is also launching a new $14 million production line for high-performance engine bearings for trucks. The new production line has a yearly output of 4 million parts. In the future, about 70,000 engines per year will be equipped with main and conrod bearings from the new production site in the USA.“Our clear strategic orientation is toward high technology," said said Peter Mitterbauer, Chairman of the Miba Management Board. "The two plants in McConnelsville with currently around 260 employees comprise an important production centre for Miba and will further grow. These high-performance sites secure our long-term ability to provide high-quality products to our American customers." www.miba.com

metal-powder.net

July/August 2010 MPR

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