Colibrium Additive Metal Additive Manufacturing

Colibrium M Line

$1,500,000 - $3,000,000 Updated 2026-03-14

Key Specifications

technology

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)

build volume

500 x 500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 19.7 x 15.7 in)

laser configuration

4 x 400W or 4 x 1,000W fiber lasers

laser overlap

Full-field overlap (all lasers access entire build platform)

layer thickness

20 - 100 um

build rate

Up to 96 cm3/hr (quad 1,000W lasers)

Overview

The Colibrium M Line is an industrial metal 3D printing system built for production-scale additive manufacturing using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Colibrium Additive, formerly the additive division of GE Additive before its 2024 rebranding, brings decades of GE Aviation experience in qualifying metal AM parts for flight-critical aerospace applications. The M Line was designed from the ground up as a factory-floor production system, not a prototyping machine — and its modular architecture reflects that intent. The build module, processing station, and setup station are separate units that can operate independently, meaning one machine can be building parts while another module is being set up or unloaded.

The M Line features a quad-laser configuration with four 400W or optional 1,000W fiber lasers that can each access the entire 500 x 500 mm build platform. This full-field overlap architecture means all four lasers can work anywhere on the build plate simultaneously, unlike stitched-zone systems where each laser is restricted to a quadrant. The result is near-linear scaling of build speed — four lasers don't just quadruple the melt area, they enable intelligent laser assignment strategies that optimize scan paths and reduce inter-layer idle time. Build height is 400 mm, providing a generous build volume of 500 x 500 x 400 mm.

Process monitoring and quality assurance are deeply integrated into the M Line platform. In-situ melt pool monitoring, layer imaging, and process parameter logging provide the traceability data that aerospace and medical customers require for part certification. The machine runs in an inert atmosphere (argon or nitrogen) with oxygen levels controlled below 100 ppm, supporting reactive and non-reactive metal powders including titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V), nickel superalloys (Inconel 718, Inconel 625), cobalt-chrome, stainless steels (316L, 17-4PH), aluminum alloys (AlSi10Mg), and maraging steels.

The M Line represents a significant capital investment at roughly $1,500,000-$3,000,000 depending on configuration, laser options, and automation modules. It competes with the EOS M 400-4, SLM Solutions NXG XII 600, Trumpf TruPrint 5000, and Nikon SLM 500 in the large-format production metal AM segment. For OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers producing serial metal AM parts — particularly in aerospace, energy, and medical — the M Line offers GE's proven process knowledge in a production-optimized platform.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Technology	Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)
Build Volume	500 x 500 x 400 mm (19.7 x 19.7 x 15.7 in)
Laser Configuration	4 x 400W or 4 x 1,000W fiber lasers
Laser Overlap	Full-field overlap (all lasers access entire build platform)
Layer Thickness	20 - 100 um
Build Rate	Up to 96 cm3/hr (quad 1,000W lasers)
Beam Diameter	100 um nominal
Atmosphere	Argon or Nitrogen, O2 < 100 ppm
Supported Materials	Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel 718/625, CoCr, 316L, 17-4PH, AlSi10Mg, Maraging Steel
Powder Handling	Automated closed-loop powder management
Monitoring	In-situ melt pool monitoring, layer imaging, full process logging
Architecture	Modular (separate build, processing, and setup stations)
Control Software	Colibrium Additive Build Processor
Machine Weight	Approx. 12,000 kg (26,455 lb) total system
Power Requirements	3-phase 400V, approximately 60 kW
Colibrium Additive Debuts Spectra Mjune 25 2024	Share

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Full-field laser overlap architecture allows all four lasers to work anywhere on the build plate, enabling near-linear speed scaling without stitching artifacts
Modular design separates build, processing, and setup operations, allowing continuous production without machine idle time between builds
GE Aviation heritage provides proven process parameters and qualification data for aerospace-grade materials like Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718
Comprehensive in-situ monitoring (melt pool, layer imaging, process logging) supports the traceability requirements for aerospace and medical part certification
500 x 500 x 400 mm build volume handles large parts and high-density nesting of smaller components for production throughput
Automated closed-loop powder management reduces manual handling of hazardous metal powders

Limitations

$1.5M-$3M acquisition cost plus facility requirements (inert gas supply, powder handling, post-processing equipment) represent a multi-million dollar total investment
Complex system requires dedicated AM engineers and technicians — this is not a plug-and-play machine for shops new to metal additive
Large footprint with separate modules demands significant floor space and facility planning for powder safety and workflow
Material qualification and parameter development for new alloys requires substantial engineering time and test builds
Post-processing requirements (stress relief, support removal, HIP, machining) add significant time and cost to the per-part economics

Best For

Aerospace OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers producing flight-critical components in titanium and nickel superalloys using qualified AM processes Medical device manufacturers producing patient-specific implants and instruments in titanium and cobalt-chrome at production scale Energy sector manufacturers producing turbine components, fuel nozzles, and heat exchangers in high-temperature alloys Defense contractors needing serial production of metal AM parts with full traceability and quality documentation Additive manufacturing service bureaus running production volumes across multiple materials and part geometries Organizations transitioning from prototyping-scale metal AM to serial production with qualified, repeatable processes

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a Colibrium M Line cost?

The M Line typically prices between $1,500,000 and $3,000,000 depending on laser configuration (400W vs. 1,000W), number of modules, and automation options. Total facility investment including powder handling, post-processing, and installation can reach $4-5M.

02 What is Colibrium Additive's relationship to GE?

Colibrium Additive was formerly GE Additive, the additive manufacturing division of GE. It was rebranded as Colibrium Additive following GE's corporate restructuring. The company retains GE's additive manufacturing technology, process knowledge, and engineering team.

03 What materials can the M Line print?

The M Line supports a range of qualified materials including Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel 718, Inconel 625, cobalt-chrome, 316L and 17-4PH stainless steels, AlSi10Mg aluminum, and maraging steels. Custom material parameter development is available for additional alloys.

04 How does the modular architecture work?

The M Line separates the build module, processing station, and setup station into independent units. While one build module is printing, another can be cooled down, have parts removed, and be reloaded with powder. This enables near-continuous production without the machine sitting idle between builds.

05 How does the M Line compare to EOS M 400-4?

Both are quad-laser production LPBF systems with similar build volumes. The M Line's full-field laser overlap differs from the EOS system's approach to laser assignment. The Colibrium machine emphasizes modular architecture for continuous production, while EOS has a larger global installed base and material portfolio.