Hybrid Manufacturing Turns Design Inside Out

Hybrid systems combine traditional subtractive processes with additional processes, including laser metal deposition for additive manufacturing and friction stir welding, enabling manufacturers to design products from the inside-out.

Traditional manufacturing starts with a solid block of metal. Manufacturers think about how to mill, turn, grind and polish the part, move the part to the next manufacturing step, create subassemblies and bring parts together. Each activity occurs in distinct processing areas. Hybrid manufacturing disrupts that workflow. 

Source: Additive Manufacturing