Added value by hybrid additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing approaches

In order to lead to a competitive advantage, there is the need to carefully consider the pros and cons of state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. This is frequently carried out in a competitive manner, but can also be done in a complementary way. This complementary approach is often used for the processing of difficult-to-machine materials with particular regard to high-tech parts or components. Hybrid machining processes or, more general, advanced machining processes can be brought to the point that the results would not be possible with the individual constituent processes in isolation [Hybrid Machining Processes Perspectives on Machining and Finishing (Springer International Publishing AG, 2016)]. Hence, the controlled interaction of process mechanisms and/or energy sources is frequently applied for a significant increase of the process performance [Advanced Machining Processes of Metallic Materials: Theory, Modelling, and Applications, 2nd ed. (2016)] and will be addressed within the present paper. A via electron beam melting manufactured gamma titanium aluminide nozzle is extended and adapted. This is done via hybrid laser metal deposition. The presented approach considers critical impacts like processing temperatures, temperature gradients, and solidification conditions with particular regard to crucial material properties like the phenomena of lamellar interface cracking [Laser-Based Manufacturing of Components using Materials with High Cracking Susceptibility (Laser Institute of America–LIA), pp. 586–592; Ti-2015: The 13th World Conference on Titanium, Symposium 5]. Furthermore, selected destructive and non-destructive testing is performed in order to prove the material properties. Finally, the results will be evaluated. This will also be done in the perspective of other applications.