Large-Scale, Solid-State, Hybrid Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is of high interest across many industries looking to “print” complex geometries in an array of metallic materials. For large-scale part printing, many additive technologies utilize a hybrid approach wherein subtractive capability is performed by the same machine enabling net shape production rather than near-net shape. This approach can be attractive to manufacturers looking to reduce production time by eliminating the need to move and refixture the part after printing for finish machining. In this presentation a review of the state-of-the-art hybrid MELD capability will be presented, including case studies from the Army’s Jointless Hull Program, which has produced the largest hybrid metal 3D printer in the world.