System and method for manufacturing a part

A manufacturing method comprising:

• depositing a first layer that includes a portion forming a first volume of a first powder having first particles of a first material in contact with a portion forming a second volume of a second powder having second particles of a second material with an interface between the first and second volumes, the second particles holding first particles in proximity to one another;
• employing a connection scheme to connect the particles to one another by heating the first layer to consolidate the particles of the first material of the first layer, wherein the first material is a positive material and the second material is a negative material so that the positive material preferentially connects the first particles to one another relative to the negative material connecting the second particles to one another;
• depositing, after heating the first layer to consolidate the particles of the first material of the first layer, a second layer that includes a portion forming a first volume of the first powder having the first particles of the first material in contact with a portion forming a second volume of the second powder having the second particles of the second material with an interface between the first and second volumes, the second particles holding first particles in proximity to one another, wherein the first material of the second layer is in contact with the first material of the first layer;
• heating the second layer, after depositing the second layer on the first layer, to consolidate the particles of the first material of the second layer;
• and
• connecting the particles of the first material of the second layer to the first material of the first layer, the positive material forming a part with an edge of the part defined by the interface.