Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, Pa., has teamed with Springboard CIM to develop a new firing process for CIM (ceramic injection molding) components. According to Solar Atmospheres, the new combined debinding and high fire sintering process allows the molded ceramic components to be fired insitu, eliminating the need for packing medias, solvents and extensive manual labor. The entire CIM process can now be automated, reducing part handling, high labor costs and high rejection rates. Not only ceramic producers but also plastic and metal producers can now consider the use of ceramics.