EASE/tween ShapeKeys Animations with Puzzles?

Hi,
I’m streamlining my scenes for best efficiency.
An object with many parts I currently have, is a technical diagram that needs to go between its original form, and an “exploded vie” , where it’s components move away from each other, to elucidate their inner workings.

Not a problem.. when I’ve got them as separate objects, and can guide them with animation puzzles’ appealing animation TWEEN settings..ie:easing etc..

Now, to streamline the object(a), I see in the manuals guide, it’s better to have ONE object, with vertex groups. Controlled by bones, to make shape keys, and pursue their motions this way…

However, I sacrifice the feature of the they puzzles TWEENING easing etc.. (Which could be done in blender graph editor)..

Wondering if we can EASE animations created in blender….?
And what the benefits/tradeoffs of either of those configurations are..

Ie: ONE object, less material calls(opposed to repeatedly calling identical materials on separate parts), less specific listings and callings…
BUT… LIMIT to amount of materials sux

MANY objects…flexibility with puzzle TWEENING easing etc (and reversing dynamically, not tied to timeline) and each object has own material.

At a crux because I’m deciding which way I should map textures uvs etc

Thnx!