Abstract: A first pre-sintered body composed of a powder made of a first Ni-based alloy is prepared, and a second pre-sintered body composed of a powder made of a second Ni-based alloy is prepared. Subsequently, the first and second pre-sintered bodies are positioned to face each other across a predetermined gap, and a joining material made of a Ni-based alloy having a lower liquidus temperature than the first and second Ni-based alloys is placed in a space that adjoins the first and second pre-sintered bodies and to which the gap opens. After the placing of the joining material, the first and second pre-sintered bodies are heated to melt the joining material, fill the gap with the molten joining material, and subsequently turn the first and second pre-sintered bodies into first and second sintered bodies, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for topping a succession of regularly spaced pizzapie crusts on a conveyer with sliced topping material, such as cheese, comprising slicing means to cut blocks of the material on the conveyor into slices of appropriate shapes and sizes, and an automatic weighing means to supply appropriate amounts of the sliced material to the pizzapie crusts. The apparatus further includes an electrical control means which controls the operations of the above-mentioned means so that the operations will have a timed relationship with the movement of the pizzapie crusts, thereby placing each amount of sliced material on top of the corresponding pie crust with accuracy and without loss.