Additive manufacturing (AM) addresses various benefits as the buildup of complex shaped parts, the possibility of functional integration, reduced lead times or the use of difficult machinable materials compared to conventional manufacturing possibilities. Beside these advantages, the use of more than one material in a component would strongly increase the field of applications in typical AM branches as energy, aerospace, or medical technology. By means of multi-material buildups, cost-intensive alloys could be only used in high-loaded areas of the part, whereas the remaining part could be fabricated with cheaper compositions. The selection of combined materials strongly depends on the requested thermophysical but also mechanical properties. Within this contribution, examples (e.g., used in the turbine business) show how alloys can be arranged to fit together, e.g., in terms of a well-chosen coefficient of thermal expansion. As can be seen in nature, the multi-material usage can be characterized by sharp intersections from one material to the other (e.g., in case of a thin corrosion protection), but also by graded structures enabling a smoother material transition (e.g., in case of dissimilar materials which are joined together without defects). The latter is shown for an example from aerospace within this paper. Another possibility is the simultaneous placement of several materials, e.g., hard carbide particles placed in a more ductile matrix composition. These particles can be varied in size (e.g., TiC versus WC). Also the ratio between carbides and matrix alloy can be adjusted depending on its application. Especially, nozzle-based free form fabrication technologies, e.g., laser metal deposition, enable the utilization of more than one material. Within this contribution, possibilities to feed more than one filler material are demonstrated. In addition, results of multi-material processes are shown. Finally, this work focuses on different (potential) applications, mainly on power generation, but also for medical technology or wear resistant components.

Hybrid manufacturing, which, e.g., combines additive manufacturing with conventional machining processes, can be a way of overcoming limitations currently encountered in additive manufacturing. Cryogenic milling might be a viable option for hard-to-cut materials, as it leaves a contamination-free surface and can increase surface quality and tool life compared to conventional cooling concepts. In this study, the influence of cryogenic milling with carbon dioxide on titanium Ti-6Al-4V specimens manufactured with laser metal deposition (LMD) was investigated regarding tool wear and surface integrity in comparison to dry machining and machining with cooling lubricants. Moreover, additional layers of material were deposited on top of conventionally and cryogenically machined surfaces by means of LMD. The interface zone was then examined for defects. The milling process was closely monitored by means of thermal and high-speed imaging. Optical and tactile surface analysis provided evidence that lower roughness values and improved surface qualities could be obtained with cryogenic machining in comparison to dry machining. Moreover, significantly less tool wear was observed when a cryogenic cooling medium was applied. Although the utilization of conventional cooling lubricants resulted in satisfying surface qualities, substantial residual contamination on the milled surface was detected by means of fluorescence analysis. These contaminants are suspected to cause defects when the next layer of material is deposited. This is supported by the fact that pores were found in the weld bead applied on top of the milled specimens by means of LMD. Conversely, cryogenic machining resulted in very clean surfaces due to the residue-free evaporation of the coolant. Hence, a good metallurgical bonding between the weld bead and the milled substrate could be achieved. The results indicate the great potential of cryogenic milling in hybrid manufacturing, especially in terms of intermediate machining, as it provides residue-free surfaces for subsequent material deposition without an additional cleaning step and can significantly prolongate tool life.

This paper presents a brief introduction to competition-driven digital transformation in the machining sector. On this basis, the creation of a digital twin for machining processes is approached firstly using a basic digital twin structure. The latter is sub-grouped into information and data models, specific calculation and process models, all seen from an application-oriented perspective. Moreover, digital shadow and digital twin are embedded in this framework, being discussed in the context of a state-of-the-art literature review. The main part of this paper addresses models for machine and path inaccuracies, material removal and tool engagement, cutting force, process stability, thermal behavior, workpiece and surface properties. Furthermore, these models are superimposed towards an integral digital twin. In addition, the overall context is expanded towards an integral software architecture of a digital twin providing information system. The information system, in turn, ties in with existing forward-oriented planning from operational practice, leading to a significant expansion of the initially presented basic structure for a digital twin. Consequently, a time-stratified data layer platform is introduced to prepare for the resulting shadow-twin transformation loop. Finally, subtasks are defined to assure functional interfaces, model integrability and feedback measures.

Laser-based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies such as laser metal deposition have been introduced in various fields of applications. Laser metal deposition is not only used for the fabrication of complete new parts but also for the purpose of repair and redesign. Therefore, weld beads with dimensions above 1 mm were mostly used in the past. In some cases, bead widths can even exceed 10 mm or more. However, the build-up of filigree parts by means of submillimeter structures has gained interest during the last several years. Fabrication of structures with small dimensions requires different process modifications along the process chain. This includes not only general process strategies but also adjusted system components. The changed process yields material deposition of varying geometries possibly used in aerospace, space, medical technology, and microtooling. Additionally, it can also be used in the repair of worn or damaged microparts. In this paper, the aforementioned process modifications are shown and demonstrated. In addition, high-speed process observations are discussed and, finally, the fabricated parts are analyzed. The latter includes nondestructive and also destructive methods. Based on the combination of changed process elements, a stable laser-based AM procedure is presented, which is already in production.