Mitsubishi Electric Announces Launch of its Wire-Laser Metal 3D Printer

In a week of continued advancements in the additive manufacturing industry, the launch of a new metal 3D printer has come from a perhaps slightly less expected source. The famed Japanese conglomerate, Mitsubishi Electric, has announced that on March 1st it will be releasing two models of its AZ600 wire-laser metal 3D printer. The launch not only shows the increased adoption of 3D printing even by large corporations but Mitsubishi’s own commitment to sustainability as this move is part of their efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in metal manufacturing.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation was established in 1921 and is the electronics and electrical equipment core of Mitsubishi. Though perhaps slightly less known than its cousin, Mitsubishi Motors, the company is a leading name in electronics, offering solutions in everything from air conditioning, transportation, factory automation, building, energy, space and more. Now they are continuing their efforts in metal 3D printing as they will be launching what they claim to be the “world’s first wire-laser metal 3D printer that combines simultaneous 5-axis spatial control and digital additive-manufacturing technology that precisely and cooperatively controls processing conditions.”

Photo Credits: Mitsubishi Electric

Why is Mitsubishi Turning to AM?

More and more industries and companies are turning to additive manufacturing to accomplish their goals thanks to the technologies’ various benefits. And this of course has also played a role in Mitsubishi’s decision to launch this printer. In fact, Mitsubishi points specifically towards the the fact that AM helps to shorten the conventional manufacturing process, reduce waste materials and improves design flexibility through easier part integration and reduction of weight. The company points to these last two in particular as benefits that it sees as helping to turn manufacturing towards a more decarbonized era.