Photo courtesy of CMG Technologies and Bob Foyers PhotographySuffok-based
CMG Technologies, a leading metal injection moulding (MIM) specialist, has invested more than £250,000 in a brand-new ECM furnace and ‘state of the art’ 3DGence 3-D printer. The new machinery will enable the company to bolster its MIM services and its move into the 3-D printing arena.
Rachel Garrett, CMG Technologies managing director, said: “We’re very excited to be able to expand on the technology we already have here at CMG. Not only will the furnace be a beneficial addition to our MIM operations but, along with the new 3-D printer, will support our growing 3-D printing services.
“This industry and the technologies involved are ever-evolving, so this new machinery will help us stay ahead of the curve and offer more support to our existing customers and attract new ones.”
The new technology is in addition to the four furnaces and four 3-D printers already in use at the Rendlesham-based factory. CMG Technologies is the world’s first company to debind and sinter MIM and 3-D printed parts in the same oven, providing an efficient and more sustainable service.
Dense and durable componentSince late 2021 the company has been offering 3-D metal printing services from initial design to post-processing of the product, which involves the removal of binders from the part which is then heated at high temperatures to leave a dense and durable component.
Dr Samuel Wilberforce (pictured), head of 3-D printing at CMG Technologies, said: “Additive manufacturing is a complimentary technology to our extensive MIM services. By using 3-D printing, we can create prototypes and moving parts far quicker than traditional methods, while keeping waste to an absolute minimum.
“Thanks to these additional machines, we will be able to offer more services to clients across the world – from design to printing or just the post-processing of parts to create a dense metal end-product.”
CMG has also created its own range of metal feedstock filaments in-house, under the name CMG Tech-X, which is available for companies to use for their own additive manufacturing. The company has been working closely with 3DGBIRE since September 2021 to provide post-processing support to its customers and is keen to support other firms with their expertise.