Everyday Metallurgy Podcast

Everyday Metallurgy Podcast

Is Metal Injection Molding (MIM) the most misunderstood technology in manufacturing? Everyone is talking about Metal 3D Printing as the "future" of powder metallurgy. But what if 90% of what additive manufacturing promises today can already be done via MIM - at a lower price, with better surface finish, and higher reproducibility?

In the latest episode of Everyday Metallurgy, Peter Kjeldsteen, sits down with Stefan Joens , President of the Metal Injection Molding Association (MIMA) and owner-operator of Elnik Systems. Stefan’s family has been pushing the boundaries of furnace technology for nearly 60 years, and we didn't hold back.

Dive into the raw, unedited realities of the industry and answered the technical questions that usually stay behind closed doors:

• The "Black Titanium" Mystery: Why changing from stainless steel to titanium can accidentally turn your parts pitch black (and how an "everything getter" fixes it).

• The Guitar Analogy: Why managing a multi-zone batch furnace is exactly like tuning a 6-string guitar—and what happens when you let it go out of tune.

• Push vs. Pull: How gas turbulence inside the retort box completely dictates your thermal uniformity and part quality.

• The Bonfire Lesson: Why debinding is actually the hardest part of the process, and why rushing it guarantees you'll melt your entire load.

Whether you're an automotive engineer trying to optimize component density or a tech enthusiast curious about how the old iPhone connectors or dental braces were made, this masterclass is for you.

Take a listen here, Everyday Metallurgy with Stefan Joens