Good idea, use a standard MIG welder with a robotic arm. Only issue I can see is surface finish, it would still require machining which will then detract from the time saved for this production process if a certain degree of surface finish or fit is required. I have, and no doubt others, built up surfaces using a MIG welder prior to machining it, as it has saved time and money. The up side would be the size of the production area, one other down side but not major, would be taking in to account a stand off distance from the bed to the actual 'job' starting, giving you an area to cut it off or use of a sacrificial bed/ building straight off the mating part.
I'm keen to see where this goes.
Another little American company trying to get into fast metal printing production is desktop metal. Interesting machine and will have a desk top (to a point) metal printer.
