CM Furnaces, Bloomfield, NJ, has been selected for a joint partnership venture in a NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) advanced technology program. The basis for CM's selection is due to their sintering expertise and involvement in MIM applications. The program's objective is to develop materials and technology information to provide manufacturers with a sold scientific foundation for the design of MIM manufacturing processes enabling economical production of large complex shapes. Team focus includes the development of new computer simulations for predicting and preventing defects, development of instrumentation showing the MIM process, tools for creating superior designs for parts and molds and a web-based information system providing data on subjects including molding operations, cost elimination and production. Other team members include Ingersoll Rand, Polymer Technologies, CompAS Controls, Pennsylvania State University, and Honeywell.