Mitsubishi Electric Corporation  has completed construction of a facility that will double the satellite component production capacity of its Kamakura Works’ Sagami Factory in Sagamihara, Japan. The new facility, Mitsubishi Electric’s core production and testing site for solar array panels, structural panels and other satellite components, is expected to help grow Mitsubishi Electric’s share of the global satellite market once production starts this October.

Mitsubishi Electric is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of satellite components, most notably structures made with advanced composite materials for the global market. The company has a rich history of providing global satellite manufacturers with solar array panels, structural panels and antennas produced at its Kamakura Works. Over the years, Mitsubishi Electric has developed a substantial share of this market.

The new facility will introduce a number of advanced manufacturing machines, such as high-precision machining equipment and automated welding machines, which will help the factory to double its production capacity. Existing machines currently dispersed throughout the factory will be concentrated in the new facility. The realization of seamlessly integrated production processes — from component and panel production to final testing — will further increase production efficiency, shorten production time, reduce costs and elevate product quality. This advanced new facility is expected to strengthen Mitsubishi Electric’s flexibility and speed in adapting to global market demands.