Mitsubishi Power begins full-scale metal additive manufacturing business

Licensing agreement enables powder development for AM

On November 27, 2020, Mitsubishi Power, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, announced that it had concluded a licensing agreement with French company Aubert & Duval. The agreement covers technologies related to the composition and manufacturing of metal powders used for metal additive manufacturing (AM), enabling Mitsubishi Power to fully enter the AM business.

Mitsubishi Power plans to develop new businesses by leveraging its proprietary material technologies built through operations in gas turbines and other thermal power systems.

Integrated AM production base completed in Ibaraki

In September 2020, Mitsubishi Power completed the construction of its AM development and manufacturing base “AM-Zone” at the Hitachi Works in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture. AM-Zone is equipped with powder production equipment and a variety of metal AM systems. It enables fully integrated production, from powder and wire material development to metal AM and product finishing.

Strategic collaboration with Aubert & Duval

Aubert & Duval is a leading European supplier of alloys and metal powders, providing metallurgical solutions for demanding industries such as aerospace, energy, and defense. Under the new agreement, the company’s expertise in powder composition and manufacturing will be combined with Mitsubishi Power’s proprietary technology. This collaboration is expected to improve the performance of manufactured AM parts by providing powders optimally suited for metal AM applications.