M Line by Colibrium Additive: status and timeline

M Line

LPBF systems with high-power fiber lasers. Latest 4 × 1 kW variant for high-throughput non-reactive alloys (Inconel 718, cobalt-chromium).

DeployStage 4 of 5

In production. 4 × 1 kW variant for non-reactive metals; aerospace variants in qualification.

Updated 2024Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · NAVAIR contract for M Line systems and materials

GE acquires Concept Laser and Arcam to form GE AdditiveNov 2016Complete.
M Line systems deployed in aerospace supplier networks2017Complete.
GE Additive rebrands as Colibrium Additive25 Apr 2024Complete.
4 × 1 kW M Line variant commercially available2024Complete.
NAVAIR contract for M Line systems and materialsTarget 22 Apr 2026Current milestone.

Most important updates

Colibrium launches 4 × 1 kW M Line variant for non-reactive metal production2024

Upcoming

22 Apr 2026NAVAIR contract for M Line systems and materials (next)

Current obstacles

Laser interferenceFour beams can interfere optically or create uneven thermal fields. Spacing and software control needed.
Reactive alloy limits4 × 1 kW variant certified for non-reactive only. Titanium needs special atmosphere.

Physics limits

Thermal managementFour kiloWatts of laser power creates significant heat. The chamber must dissipate this while maintaining precise temperature control.
Laser reliabilityFiber lasers degrade over time and require maintenance. A failure in one of four beams reduces throughput by 25%.

How it works

3 parts

Laser Source

Fiber lasers

Focused beams scan powder bed layer by layer, melting powder into metal.

Multi-Laser

Parallel processing

Four lasers work simultaneously in separate zones for faster builds.

Materials

Integrated powder

AP&C supplies matched powders and parameter sets for aerospace qualification.

Spec sheet

Spec	M Line
Laser power (latest variant)	4 × 1 kW^R (reported)
Supported materials	Cobalt-chromium, Inconel 718, titanium, aluminum^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

1 update

2024

Minor: Colibrium launches 4 × 1 kW M Line variant for non-reactive metal productionPressHardware

About Colibrium Additive

The team behind M Line

Colibrium Additive

Metal AM, laser LPBF, electron beam melting, aerospace

Colibrium Additive is GE Aerospace's metal additive manufacturing division. It makes laser LPBF (M Line) and electron beam melting (Spectra) systems for aerospace and defense. Rebranded April 2024.

Formed 2016 via GE acquisitions of Concept Laser, Arcam EBM and AP&C (powder).
NAVAIR contract April 2026: $31M to accelerate metal AM qualification for naval aviation.
M Line (laser) and Spectra (EBM) systems for aerospace components, with integrated materials.

colibriumadditive.com (opens colibriumadditive.com)Company profile →

Founded: 201610 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Subsidiary
Valuation: subsidiary
Works in: ManufacturingMetal 3D printing
Coverage: 2 programs · 5 updateslatest 22 Apr 2026checked 10 Oct

Spec

M Line

Laser power (latest variant)

4 × 1 kW^R (reported)

Supported materials

Cobalt-chromium, Inconel 718, titanium, aluminum^R (reported)