Wire-Laser Metal 3D Printer AZ600

First Published in Japanese in October 2023
Maiku Hayashi*, Nobuyuki Sumi*
(* Industrial Mechatronics Systems Works)

Additive Manufacturing (AM, 3D printing) is seeing broader application in the manufacturing industry. Mitsubishi Electric has developed the wire-laser metal 3D printer “AZ600,” which is the first in Japan^*1 to adopt a combination of metal wire and laser as a material and a heat source respectively. The AZ600 is equipped with an AM process control function that detects the printing status using various sensors and coordinates machining conditions and axis speeds, achieving stable printing and high precision. Furthermore, by using Mitsubishi Electric’s unique dot forming, it is possible to suppress thermal distortion and oxidation. In cases where AZ600 is applied to AM, processing time, manufacturing costs, and material waste can be expected to be reduced, contributing to carbon neutrality. Furthermore, we can expect more stable quality in work dependent on individuals, and better response to needs for automation and labor-saving.