US Patent 11980968 Methods and systems for additive tool manufacturing

An additive manufacturing system includes an electrode head comprising an array of electrodes for depositing material to form a three-dimensional part. The array includes a first plurality of electrodes formed from a first metallic material having a first ductility and a first hardness, and a second plurality of electrodes formed from a second metallic material having a second ductility and a second hardness, wherein the first ductility is greater than the second ductility and the second hardness is greater than the first hardness. A power source provides electrical power for establishing a welding arc for each electrode. A drive roll system drives each electrode. A controller is connected to the power source to control operations of the additive manufacturing system to form an interior portion of the part using the first plurality of electrodes, and control the operations of the additive manufacturing system to form an exterior portion of the part using the second plurality of electrodes, such that ductility of the interior portion of the part is greater than ductility of the exterior portion of the part.