An additive manufacturing system, comprising: - an additive manufacturing tool configured to receive first and second metallic anchoring materials (26, 28) and to supply a plurality of droplets to form a part, wherein each droplet of the plurality of droplets comprises at least one metallic anchoring material of the first and second metallic anchoring materials (26, 28); - sensors disposed on the additive manufacturing tool, wherein the sensors are configured to measure temperature, deflection, composition of applied droplets of the plurality of droplets, a relative position of the additive manufacturing tool to the part, or any combination thereof, and - a controller configured to independently control the composition, formation, and application of each droplet of the plurality of droplets to the part, such that the plurality of droplets is configured to build up the part, - a first workpiece and a second workpiece to be coupled by the part, wherein the first work piece comprises a first material, and the second work piece comprises a second material different from the first material; - a first device configured to preheat the first work piece, and a second heating device to heat the second work piece, the work pieces (14, 16) to be coupled by the part, wherein the controller is configured to independently control the preheating of the work pieces (14, 16) from heating of the at least one metallic anchoring material (26, 28); wherein the controller is configured to control the composition, formation, and application of each droplet based at least in part on input from the sensors; and wherein the part is a joint between the first work piece and the second work piece, the part comprising a gradient composition of the first and second anchor materials (26, 28) such that the composition of the part adjacent to the first work piece is compatible with the first work piece, and the composition of the part adjacent to the second work piece is compatible with the second workpiece. - an additive manufacturing tool configured to receive first and second metallic anchoring materials (26, 28) and to supply a plurality of droplets to form a part, wherein each droplet of the plurality of droplets comprises at least one metallic anchoring material of the first and second metallic anchoring materials (26, 28); - sensors disposed on the additive manufacturing tool, wherein the sensors are configured to measure temperature, deflection, composition of applied droplets of the plurality of droplets, a relative position of the additive manufacturing tool to the part, or any combination thereof, and - a controller configured to independently control the composition, formation, and application of each droplet of the plurality of droplets to the part, such that the plurality of droplets is configured to build up the part, - a first workpiece and a second workpiece to be coupled by the part, wherein the first work piece comprises a first material, and the second work piece comprises a second material different from the first material; - a first device configured to preheat the first work piece, and a second heating device to heat the second work piece, the work pieces (14, 16) to be coupled by the part, wherein the controller is configured to independently control the preheating of the work pieces (14, 16) from heating of the at least one metallic anchoring material (26, 28);