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Serving the community

Serving the community to celebrate esop month!

Last week Smith Metal Products got together with our parent company, Plastic Products Company, to serve the community. We had a great time interacting with our coworkers and those within the community. The community meal takes place each Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City, MN from four to six pm.

In 2011 the program was started by Zion Lutheran Church, Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church and First United Methodist Church in the Chisago Lakes area. Everyone is welcome (income bracket or age do not matter). Volunteers make these meals possible and a variety of groups help serving. We are grateful to have the opportunity to participate each year.

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New fresh look

We updated our landscaping in the front of the building, making it more inviting for both employees and guests.

We know the snow will be falling sooner than we want it to, but we will be ready for spring when it comes around again.

Tradeshows!

by Ashley Paulson • 26 December 2024

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Merry Christmas

by Ashley Paulson • 23 December 2024

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate. Smith Metal Products is closed tomorrow, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. We will return to the office on Thursday, December 26, ready to collaborate with you. Hopefully, you get some time to relax and spend time with friends and family. Happy Holidays!

Can Metal Be Used for Injection Molding?

by Ashley Paulson • 16 December 2024

The answer is yes and no. Yes, metal can be used in injection molding, but not by itself. In order to get the powdered metal to take the shape of the mold and hold the shape, about 20% of plastic is added to approximately 80% powdered metal. These pellets are called feedstock and they are melted and pushed into the mold. After this point, the part is not complete like it may be with plastic injection molding. The metal part needs to go through the debinding process in order to remove all of the plastic. You cannot leave the part alone after debinding, because it is very fragile and you can think of it like a sandcastle like structure. Then the metal parts go through the sintering process to strengthen the part and remove the holes that were left behind by the plastic. We most commonly use stainless steel powder. Titanium is another metal that we commonly work with. There are some metals that are not compatible with our process. We do not use aluminum, zinc, brass, magnesium or copper in the metal injection molding process. If you want to learn more about the whole process, see the "What is MIM?" section of our website.