Process Comparison

Eliminating multiple processes to achieve a desired geometry means eliminating additional cost and waste to make the smallest, most complex parts at high volumes with faster lead times.

Titanium Injection Molding is capable of creating complex components through a seamless process. Small, complex geometries that require a large volume of material to be removed via multi-axis CNC machining are ideal candidates for Titanium Injection Molding. Other manufacturing processes such as machining, investment casting and conventional PM are unable to produce thinner wall sections, holes and threads without multiple steps.

Compare Praxis’ Titanium Injection Molding technology to other manufacturing methods:

AttributeTitanium Injection MoldingConventional Press & SinterMachiningInvestment Casting
Density+99%88%100%98%
Tensile StrengthHighLowHighHigh
ElongationHighLowHighHigh
HardnessHighLowHighHigh
ComplexityHighLowHighMedium
Surface FinishHighMediumHighMedium
Production VolumesHighHighLowMedium
Range of MaterialsHighHighHighMedium-High
CostMediumLowHighMedium
Conventional Powder MoldingMachiningInvestment Casting
Titanium Injection Molding can produce geometries that eliminate secondary operationsTitanium Injection Molding designs save material and weightTitanium Injection Molding can produce thinner wall sections
Titanium Injection Molding can combine two or more PM components into one, reducing part countTitanium Injection Molding provides cost savings through better material utilization — sprues and runners can be reground and reused as feedstock with no compromise to final propertiesTitanium Injection Molding produces better surface finish, higher complexity and greater production volumes
Titanium Injection Molding offers:
superior density
corrosion performance
strength
ductility
elongation
hardness
Molding from a single tool eliminates multiple set-up operationsTitanium Injection Molding is better for small-diameter blind and through holes
 Difficult-to-machine materials can be molded into a net shapeTitanium Injection Molding greatly reduces requirements for finish machining
 Higher production volumeTitanium Injection Molding produces high volumes of small components at a lower cost, faster lead times

Which Features are Suitable for Titanium Injection Molding?

Although versatile, Titanium Injection Molding has ideal design characteristics to determine whether or not something is best suited for Titanium Injection Molding. Below is table that outlines what Praxis believes to be desirable, allowable and the aspects that should be avoided when considering Titanium Injection Molding:

Desirable

Size: fits in the palm; golf ball or smaller
Aspect ratios of 5:1 or less
Uniform wall thickness, with max variation around 5X
Wall thickness larger than 0.020” and smaller than 0.5”
Minimum draft 0.5°
Cored out features to reduce part weight
Flat surfaces

Allowable

Asymmetry Ribs and bosses
Grooves and threads
Decorative features (i.e. texture, logo, lettering)

 Avoid

Undercuts
Small diameter holes <0.050”
Sharp corners or points
Wall thickness <0.020”
No draft

Examples of Suitable Applications by Industry

Medical

Vascular access ports
Orthodontic brackets
Shoulder, hip and knee joints
Tissue ablation electrodes

Aerospace

Fasteners
Latches
Hinges

Consumer

Bicycle hardware
Knife components
Eyeglass hinges
Watch housings
Firearm parts

Electronic

Accelerometer housings
Electronic packages
Feed-throughs