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Mitsubishi to release metal additive manufacturing machine

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced plans in late February to release a 3D printer equipped with a laser that melts welding wire. The 5-axis, DED (directed energy deposition) AZ600 will be available with a 2-kW (F20) or 4-kW (F40) oscillator.

Mitsubishi claims that use of a CNC to control processing conditions such as wire feeding, laser power, and axis feeding facilitates the printing of high-precision, high-quality 3D structures. In addition, the machine’s dedicated CAM software generates printing paths, which further optimizes the process.

The AZ600 is intended to quickly build near-net-shape parts that then are finish-machined. The hybrid approach shortens machining time and reduces waste compared to machining the entire part.

In the test printing of a marine propeller with a 300-mm dia., Mitsubishi reported that the near-net-shape method reduced machining time and waste by approximately 80% compared to conventional methods that require final grinding of the part.

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Specifications for the Mitsubishi AZ600 laser-wire 3D printer.