Custom Ceramics FAQs

What is significant about low-pressure ceramic injection molding? Wouldn't higher pressure be better?
Ceramic injection molding in general is useful for making intricate parts with complex features because the details are put in the mold, also known as the tooling. Pins and mandrels can be put in the tooling to make holes in the parts, eliminating the need to drill them in the green state like other processes require, translating into major cost savings from ease of production. Threads can be formed easily using this technique, whereas the only other method is by machining them into the ceramic part, which is again costly. High pressure ceramic injection molding tools must be made of heavy duty materials, like carbide steel, which is expensive compared to the aluminum tooling Ceramco uses. And most importantly, the pressure we use results in uniform packing of ceramic material in the tool, which is desirable to control shrinkage variance across dimensions when the parts are fired.

I read through your design guidelines. Why are your standard tolerances +/- 1% for as-fired parts?
The tolerance of +/- 1% is an industry standard in ceramic manufacturing. All ceramics are shaped from the raw material in powder form (i.e. Alumina, Zirconia, Mullite), and the densification process can only be predicted to consistently produce part dimensions within this range. Post-fire grinding is available at Ceramco for situations when dimensions must have a tighter tolerance.

What is Ceramco's privacy policy?
Our customers can submit a print or drawing and be confident that it is not sold to other parties. We do not provide information about your parts to other customers or other public entities. We do not disclose your tolerancing or other design details to others. When you buy a tool, it is strictly used to make your parts only for your company, as it is technically customer owned tooling. The tool is kept at Ceramco, only to be used by Ceramco when you re-order parts.

Do you have parts available that are similar to what I need?
Ceramco is not a supply warehouse and therefore does not have generic parts available for purchase. Every ceramic part we provide is custom made to order, so there are no off-the-shelf items are available other than our standard ceramic fasteners.

How soon can I have my part made?
As soon as we receive purchase order your order is processed. There are many steps in the ceramic manufacturing process. The tool must be made before the ceramic parts can be formed. Formed parts must go through several firing stages before they are ready for any additional treatments. All parts are thoroughly inspected in our Quality Assurance department. Your ceramic part might require grinding operations. All of these steps take time, and your ceramic material requirements are what ultimately determine the lead time. Please consult our lead time chart for an estimate.