Spark plasma sintering (SPS), also called the pressure assisted pulsed energizing process or the pulsed electric current sintering (PECS) process, is a promising technique for innovative processing in the field of new materials for the 21 st century. It offers applications in nano-phase materials, thermo-electric materials, composite materials, new wear-resistant materials and functionally graded materials (FGMs). In order to develop large-size bulk FGMs for industrial applications using the SPS method, the multi-layer composition, optimum sintering conditions, mechanical properties as well as manufacturing machine systems were investigated. Utilizing a fully automated production-type SPS system, a square-shaped large-size WC/Co cemented carbide hard-alloy FGM having 4 gradient layers of 100 mm (width) x 100 mm (length) x 40 mm (thickness) was homogeneously fabricated in less than one hour of continuous operation. The hardness of the top and bottom layers containing 6 wt% Co, 20 wt% Co were 20 and 9 GPa, respectively. Major applications of the WC/Co FGM are various press-stamping dies for the tools and die industry.