EPMA Sectoral Groups

In conclusion the ESPG is an essential networking group which helps the EPMA to promote the Ferrous Structural PM industry and to set up new ideas of projects and which indicates the trends of the sector to the other working groups and more generally to EPMA members. Every EPMA member is welcome to participate in the open ESPG working group meetings and should contact Dr Olivier Coube ( oc@epma.com ) for further information.

EuroMIM was formed out of the successful 3 year MIM Thematic Network "MIMNet" which finished in October 2000. EuroMIM had its inaugural meeting in January 2001. The main initial activity was developing the forward programme of events; additionally to finalise the new information brochure on MIM which was one of the main deliverables from MIMNet. In the longer term the group targets to widen market awareness of the potential and capabilities of MIM, in particular to promote EuroMIM Group members specialties, and to promote MIM to end users.

Objectives:
The objectives of the Euro MIM Committee are: "to promote the interests of EuroMIM Group members by identifying and serving the special needs of the members and providing a united voice to the outside world".

The PMRADNET is the result of the formation of a Group of major European PM focused research centres to work in the following areas.

Development of collaborative research projects between two or more partners
Transfer of students and/or staff on secondment between partners
Sharing of equipment on a case by case basis
Within the umbrella of the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) develop links with its sectoral groups to facilitate industry participation in collaborative research programmes and to promote the development of the Group
Support to EPMA in those activities related with education and research topics, as well as promote under this umbrella any convenient policy related to these topics.
To undertake an annual update of a joint programme of activities.

The EPHG is a sectoral group within the EPMA that was formed in November 2009 as a result of a desire from the European HIP sector to work together to develop and promote the sector within the framework of the EPMA. The group will involve companies and research organisations from all parts of the PM HIP supply chain.

The objectives of the Group are fourfold:

• To increase the awareness of the PM HIP technology, with a special but not exclusive focus on semi finished, Near Net Shape, as-HIPed and compound PM products.
• To enable the benefits of joint action for example through research programmes, benchmarking and exchange of statistics
• To improve the understanding of the benefits of PM HIP technology by end users, designers, mechanical engineers, metallurgists and students
• To assist in the development of International standards for the PM HIP Sector”

There are two co chairmen of the group and initially its activities will be concentrated into the following areas.

• Promotion - Development of a PM HIP Guide & EPMA Website Development
• Organisation of HIP Workshops (at PM2010 and onwards)
• Seeking to initiate R&D Programmes
• Standardization work

More details about the Group and its activities can be obtained from Jonathan Wroe at the Secretariat.



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Sectoral Groups EHMG (European Hard Materials Group) This section includes: (please click on the links below to learn more) Winterev Participants Publications Centres of Excellence Projects The European Hard Materials Group ('EHMG') represents of EPMA members, suppliers and research community involved in hardmetals, diamond tools and CBN (see EHMG participants and Centers of Excellence section). The EPMA European Hard Materials Group reflects the global pre-eminence of Europe in this sector, the size of which is comparable to the structural parts sector. Broadly speaking Hard Materials includes Cemented Carbides, polycrystalline materials such as CBN, Ceramic and Diamond Tools. The European Hard Materials Group was established in 1999. In 2005 EPMA Council approved broadening the range of industries covered to include ceramic cutting tools. The activities of the group include: industry promotion environment, health and safety issues education and training standards research EHMG activities also include the annual Winterevs workshop (see Winterev section), Euro PM2006 Hard Materials Conference (see Publications section), Road mapping, Standards, Research and EHS Legislation. Euro PM2006 was the second major European Hard Materials Conference organised by the Group in cooperation with the EPMA Conference department. The conference included parallel sessions on Hard Materials and Diamond Tooling. The technical programme included papers on hardmetals and diamond tooling. Additionally it includes a workshop on ultrafine and nano hardmetals, and a special session on Thermally Sprayed Hardmetal coatings. Parallel with the conference was a full exhibition. The next European Hard Materials Conference is planned for 2012. In common with other EPMA sectoral groups the EHMG has a regular Roadmapping function, this identifies markets, drivers and potential solutions on the major issues shaping the future of the industry. This is of special relevance to the research community and to funding bodies Members of the group are active on ISO Standards Committees. Of particular current interest is ISO TC119/SC4 "Sampling and testing methods for hardmetals". This is currently developing standards on grain size, knoop hardness, Palmqvist toughness and abrasion testing and Vickers/Rockwell hardness intercomparisons. Recent research has involved a review of measurement techniques for nano sized powders and sintered materials, "nano" being termed as materials below 0.5 micron size. This work has taken the form of a series of "club" projects, funded internally by a consortium of EPMA members. For further information on the EHMG and how to become a member please contact Olivier Coube email oc@epma.com ESPG (European Structural Parts Group) ESPG Sectoral Group: The European Structural Parts Sectoral Group consists of stakeholders of the ferrous PM structural parts industry. The objective of the ESPG is to promote the interests of EPMA members involved in the structural parts supply chain. It holds open meetings involving parts makers, suppliers and any interested EPMA members to discuss issues of concern to the sector, but also closed meetings for parts makers or suppliers . The open meetings are normally twice yearly at the EPMA events, Management Seminar and Euro PM Congress, in the spring and autumn respectively. These offer an excellent possibility of discussion about EPMA activities and projects in the ferrous PM structural parts sector and about the state of business in the industry. The state of business discussion always gives a fruitful exchange of experience between participants and is reported in the minutes available to the attendees. The ESPG also gives an input to many projects that are carried out by the EPMA, which include: • The Global Powder Metallurgy Property Database web site: www.pmdatabase.com • The e-learning modules web site for End User Designers and Engineers: www.designforpm.net • The yearly Benchmarking exercise, which gathered in 2008, 14 Sites: www.epma.com/benchmarking • Club Projects on the Environment, Health and Safety aspects. Etc. The ESPG also initiates special workshops for the PM supply chain during the Euro PM congress with: • i. Closed meeting for parts makers • ii. Closed meeting for powders and equipment suppliers • iii. Sector Watch Session: Presentation on other forming processes (e.g. investment casting, fine blanking, cold forging etc.) • iv. Open debate between five parts makers senior managers (and the audience) (see pictures).

Picture 1: Open Debate at Mannheim during the Euro PM2008	Picture 2: Open Debate at Mannheim during the Euro PM2008.From left to right: Harald Neubert (MIBA), Cesar Molins (AMES), Rainer Link (GKN), Michael Krehl (PMG), Thierry Faugeras (Federal Mogul)
In conclusion the ESPG is an essential networking group which helps the EPMA to promote the Ferrous Structural PM industry and to set up new ideas of projects and which indicates the trends of the sector to the other working groups and more generally to EPMA members. Every EPMA member is welcome to participate in the open ESPG working group meetings and should contact Dr Olivier Coube ( oc@epma.com ) for further information. Euro MIM (European Metal Injection Moulding Group) EuroMIM was formed out of the successful 3 year MIM Thematic Network "MIMNet" which finished in October 2000. EuroMIM had its inaugural meeting in January 2001. The main initial activity was developing the forward programme of events; additionally to finalise the new information brochure on MIM which was one of the main deliverables from MIMNet. In the longer term the group targets to widen market awareness of the potential and capabilities of MIM, in particular to promote EuroMIM Group members specialties, and to promote MIM to end users. Objectives: The objectives of the Euro MIM Committee are: "to promote the interests of EuroMIM Group members by identifying and serving the special needs of the members and providing a united voice to the outside world". PMRADNET (Research & Development Group) The PMRADNET is the result of the formation of a Group of major European PM focused research centres to work in the following areas. Development of collaborative research projects between two or more partners Transfer of students and/or staff on secondment between partners Sharing of equipment on a case by case basis Within the umbrella of the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) develop links with its sectoral groups to facilitate industry participation in collaborative research programmes and to promote the development of the Group Support to EPMA in those activities related with education and research topics, as well as promote under this umbrella any convenient policy related to these topics. To undertake an annual update of a joint programme of activities. PMRADNET comprises 13 major European PM Research centres For further information please contact Jonathan Wroe jw@epma.com European PM Hot Isostatic Processing Group (EPHG) The EPHG is a sectoral group within the EPMA that was formed in November 2009 as a result of a desire from the European HIP sector to work together to develop and promote the sector within the framework of the EPMA. The group will involve companies and research organisations from all parts of the PM HIP supply chain. The objectives of the Group are fourfold: • To increase the awareness of the PM HIP technology, with a special but not exclusive focus on semi finished, Near Net Shape, as-HIPed and compound PM products. • To enable the benefits of joint action for example through research programmes, benchmarking and exchange of statistics • To improve the understanding of the benefits of PM HIP technology by end users, designers, mechanical engineers, metallurgists and students • To assist in the development of International standards for the PM HIP Sector” There are two co chairmen of the group and initially its activities will be concentrated into the following areas. • Promotion - Development of a PM HIP Guide & EPMA Website Development • Organisation of HIP Workshops (at PM2010 and onwards) • Seeking to initiate R&D Programmes • Standardization work More details about the Group and its activities can be obtained from Jonathan Wroe at the Secretariat.