The proposal seeks to undertake the construction of a pre-production prototype “Combined Additive Subtractive Hybrid” Rapid Manufacturing Machine the “STRATA-CASTER”, evolved from a research project under the NWDA GRAND Proof of Concept Award Ref: 08/0068 completed 2010. It is also directed at enabling a manufacturing technology leap by quickly bringing about a new generation of Hybrid manufacturing system to produce functional parts rapidly, using a combination of laser additive layered metal deposition, a unique 6 axis robotic manipulator and the latest developments in 3D machining, controlled by the development of new user friendly software. The System will generate a near net shaped layered Laser Deposited part in minutes from CAD model data, then using the same data model and fixturing, subsequently machine the component to a precision finish. Traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques are approximately 3000 times faster than additive metal deposition systems. Unfortunately they generate up to 90% waste material processing a solid billet. Layered deposition systems have alternative benefits, the ability to reduce considerably the amount of material consumed in the manufacturing process, create near net shaped copies of computer modelled component, designing of hollow parts, providing an ecological benefit by reducing the fuel required to move them in automotive or aerospace application. Additive systems usually produce parts slowly in batches using only 2.5D deposition, usually requiring subsequent removal of supporting structures and additional machining of any precision features using a subtractive process. A combination of the best attributes of three technologies in a Hybrid system has the added benefits, accelerated production, 3D manipulation, reduced manual intervention, pre-ops, setting up time, un/loading, reducing machining time, power consumption and reduce waste will produce “Rapid Functional precision parts in One Hit”.