Additive manufacturing device and blowing nozzle

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for laminate-molding capable of suppressing variation in molding quality, and a blowout nozzle.SOLUTION: An apparatus for laminate-molding includes: a bottom part having a molding area for laminate-molding a molded article; a ceiling part disposed above the bottom part, and having a blowout part of inert gas; and side parts standing from side end parts of the bottom part, where the bottom part, the side parts, and at least one of flow passage members provided separately from the bottom part and the side parts have exhaust ports of inert gas, and when a direction toward the exhaust ports from the molding area which is a direction parallel with the bottom part is a first direction, and a direction crossing the first direction which is a direction parallel with the bottom part is a second direction, the width of the blowout part in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowout part of the first direction, and same as a width of the molding area in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing apparatus and an ejection nozzle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an additive manufacturing device that includes a chamber having a manufacturing space that covers a manufacturing region and is filled with an inert gas at a predetermined concentration, and a fume diffusion unit attached to the upper surface of the chamber. In this additive manufacturing device, the fume diffusion unit includes a housing with an opening as small as possible so as not to block the laser light irradiated onto the manufacturing region, and an inert gas supply path that fills the housing with the same type of inert gas as the inert gas in the manufacturing space. This allows the inert gas to be ejected from the opening, forming a laminar flow of inert gas along the irradiation path of the laser light, thereby eliminating fumes from the irradiation path. The opening is circular, and the inert gas is supplied all around the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-006215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the additive manufacturing device described in Patent Document 1, the inert gas ejected downward from the opening collides with the inner surface of the chamber, generating a circulating flow. As a result, there is a concern that fumes may be trapped in the circulating flow and not be sufficiently discharged from the chamber. If uneven fume removal performance occurs within the chamber, the fumes may block the laser light in areas where fumes remain, preventing sufficient heat from being applied to the material powder, resulting in reduced modeling quality. This has led to the problem of inconsistent modeling quality.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an additive manufacturing apparatus and an ejection nozzle that can suppress variation in modeling quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, the layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a bottom portion having a manufacturing area where a model is layered-modeled, a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion, and a side portion standing upright from a side end portion of the bottom portion, wherein at least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet port for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, from the build area in a direction parallel to the bottom a pair When a direction toward the outlet is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowout section in the second direction is larger than the width of the blowout section in the first direction and is equal to or greater than the width of the printing area in the second direction. the law of nature , The ceiling section has a ceiling section main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections, and the blowout section is an opening provided in the ceiling section main body. .

[0007] The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a bottom portion having a manufacturing area where a model is layered and manufactured, a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion, and a side portion standing upright from a side end portion of the bottom portion, wherein at least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom and the side portion has an outlet port for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, from the build area in a direction parallel to the bottom a pair When a direction toward the outlet is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowout section in the second direction is larger than the width of the blowout section in the first direction and is equal to or greater than the width of the shaped object in the second direction. the law of nature , The ceiling section has a ceiling section main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections, and the blowout section is an opening provided in the ceiling section main body. .

[0008] The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a bottom portion having a manufacturing area where a model is layered and manufactured, a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion and a first laser irradiation window, and a side portion standing upright from a side end of the bottom portion, wherein at least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet port for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, from the build area in a direction parallel to the bottom a pair When the direction toward the outlet is defined as a first direction and the direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowing portion in the first direction is smaller than the width of the first laser irradiation window in the first direction, and the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than the width of the first laser irradiation window in the second direction. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a bottom having a manufacturing area where a model is manufactured by layered manufacturing, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and flow path members provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom, with the manufacturing area in between, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the manufacturing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction. When the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than the width of the printing area in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at the lower end of the blowing nozzle, the blowing nozzle has an expanding portion whose width in the second direction expands as it extends downward, and an outlet portion provided below the expanding portion and extending downward with a constant width in the second direction, and the blowing portion is provided at the lower end of the outlet portion. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a bottom having a manufacturing area where a model is manufactured by layered manufacturing, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and flow path members provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom, with the manufacturing area in between, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the manufacturing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction. When the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is set to the first direction, the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is greater than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or greater than the width of the shaped object in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at the lower end of the blowing nozzle, the blowing nozzle has an expanding portion whose width in the second direction expands as it extends downward, and an outlet portion provided below the expanding portion and extending downward with a constant width in the second direction, and the blowing portion is provided at the lower end of the outlet portion. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a bottom having a manufacturing area where a model is manufactured by layered manufacturing, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and flow path members provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom with the modeling area between them, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the modeling area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction. When a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is greater than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or greater than the width of the printing area in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections, and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at the lower end of the blowing nozzle, and the blowing nozzle has a plurality of guide vanes lined up in the second direction inside. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a bottom having a building area where a model is layered and manufactured, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and flow path members provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom with the building area between them, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the building area toward the pair of outlets is referred to as a first direction. When a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is greater than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or greater than the width of the structure in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections, and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at the lower end of the blowing nozzle, and the blowing nozzle has a plurality of guide vanes lined up in the second direction inside. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a bottom having a manufacturing area where a model is manufactured by layered manufacturing, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom, with the modeling area in between, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the modeling area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the first direction toward the pair of outlets is defined as a second direction. and a direction intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than the width of the printing area in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections, and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowing nozzle, the blowing nozzle has a straightening portion, and the straightening portion has a plurality of tubular portions arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extending in the vertical direction. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a bottom having a manufacturing area where a model is manufactured by layered manufacturing, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom, with the modeling area in between, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the modeling area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and When a direction intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is greater than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or greater than the width of the structure in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at the lower end of the blowing nozzle, and the blowing nozzle has a straightening portion, and the straightening portion has a plurality of tubular portions arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extending in the vertical direction. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a bottom having a manufacturing area where a model is manufactured by layered manufacturing, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom, with the manufacturing area in between, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the manufacturing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom intersects with the first direction. When the direction defined by the arrow A is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than the width of the printing area in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowing nozzle, and the blowing nozzle includes a first blowing nozzle attached to the ceiling portion main body and a second blowing nozzle connected to the first blowing nozzle, extending downward from the first blowing nozzle, and having the blowing portion. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a bottom having a manufacturing area where a model is layered and manufactured, a ceiling located above the bottom and having an inert gas blowing portion, and side portions standing up from side edges of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom, the side portions, and flow path members provided separately from the bottom and the side portions has an outlet for the inert gas, and the outlets are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom, with the manufacturing area in between, and a direction parallel to the bottom from the manufacturing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom intersects with the first direction. When the direction defined by the arrow A is defined as a second direction, the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than the width of the shaped object in the second direction, the ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower sections and a blowing nozzle extending downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowing portion is an opening provided at the lower end of the blowing nozzle, and the blowing nozzle includes a first blowing nozzle attached to the ceiling portion main body and a second blowing nozzle connected to the first blowing nozzle, extending downward from the first blowing nozzle, and having the blowing portion.

[0009] The blow-out nozzle according to the present disclosure is a blow-out nozzle that can be attached to an additive manufacturing apparatus, connectable to the additive manufacturing device; a first end including an inert gas inlet; In the axial direction a second end portion located on the opposite side of the first end portion and including the inert gas blowing portion, wherein one direction parallel to the second end portion is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the second end portion and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction. 、 At least the second end portion has a flat portion along the second direction, and the width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than the width of the blowing portion in the first direction. an expanding section whose width in the second direction increases as it advances toward the second end in the axial direction; and an outlet section provided on the second end side of the expanding section in the axial direction, which has a constant width in the second direction and extends toward the second end in the axial direction, and which has the second end, and the blowout section is provided at the second end of the outlet section. . The blowing nozzle according to the present disclosure is a blowing nozzle that can be attached to an additive manufacturing device, and is connectable to the additive manufacturing device and has a first end that includes an inlet for an inert gas, and a second end that is located opposite the first end and includes an outlet for the inert gas, and when a direction parallel to the second end is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to the second end that intersects the first direction is defined as a second direction, at least the second end has a flat portion that extends along the second direction, the width of the outlet in the second direction is greater than the width of the outlet in the first direction, and the blowing nozzle has a plurality of guide vanes inside that are aligned in the second direction. The blow-out nozzle according to the present disclosure is a blow-out nozzle that can be attached to an additive manufacturing device, and is connectable to the additive manufacturing device and has a first end that includes an inlet portion for an inert gas, and a second end that is located on the opposite side of the first end in the axial direction from the first end and includes an outlet portion for the inert gas, and when a direction parallel to the second end is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to the second end and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, at least the second end has a flat portion that extends along the second direction, the width of the outlet portion in the second direction is greater than the width of the outlet portion in the first direction, and is provided with a straightening portion, and the straightening portion has a plurality of tubular portions that are arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extend in the axial direction. The blow-out nozzle according to the present disclosure is a blow-out nozzle that can be attached to an additive manufacturing device, and is connectable to the additive manufacturing device and has a first end that includes an inlet portion for an inert gas, and a second end that is located on the opposite side of the first end in the axial direction from the first end and includes a blow-out portion for the inert gas, and when one direction parallel to the second end is defined as a first direction and a direction parallel to the second end and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, at least the second end has a flat portion that runs along the second direction, and the width of the blow-out portion in the second direction is greater than the width of the blow-out portion in the first direction, and includes a first blow-out nozzle that is attached to the additive manufacturing device, and a second blow-out nozzle that is connected to the first blow-out nozzle and extends from the first blow-out nozzle toward the second end in the axial direction and has the blow-out portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The additive manufacturing apparatus and blowing nozzle of the present disclosure can suppress variation in manufacturing quality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an additive manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a ceiling portion according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of an inert gas according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additive manufacturing device according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a ceiling according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a ceiling portion according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additive manufacturing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a blowout nozzle according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a ceiling according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a blowout nozzle according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along a second direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of the additive manufacturing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from a first direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a rectifying member according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] First Embodiment (Additive manufacturing equipment) Hereinafter, a layered manufacturing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. The additive manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, a so-called powder head type 3D printer. The additive manufacturing apparatus 1 additively manufactures a model S using a material powder as a raw material. More specifically, the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 irradiates a metal material powder with a laser beam L to sinter it to form a sintered layer, and then laminates the sintered layers to manufacture the model S.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a laser irradiation unit 2 and a chamber 3. In addition to the laser irradiation unit 2 and the chamber 3, the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 also includes a material supply unit, a control unit, and the like (not shown). Since various known devices can be used for the material supply unit, the control unit, and the like, detailed description thereof will be omitted here. In FIG. 1, the laser irradiation unit 2 and the chamber 3 are illustrated in a simplified form for ease of understanding. For example, an outlet for the model S and the like are omitted from FIG. 1.

[0014] The laser irradiation unit 2 includes a laser light source (not shown) and an irradiation control unit (not shown). The laser light source generates laser light L. The laser light L may be any light that can sinter the material powder. The laser light L may be, for example, a CO2 laser, a fiber laser, or a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser. The laser light source irradiates the generated laser light L downward. The irradiation control unit controls the irradiation of the laser light L so that the laser light L moves two-dimensionally along a plane extending horizontally.

[0015] (Chamber) The chamber 3 is disposed below the laser irradiation unit 2. In the chamber 3, the object S is layer-by-layer manufactured. The chamber 3 includes a bottom portion 10, a ceiling portion 20, and side portions 30.

[0016] (bottom) The bottom 10 extends horizontally. Hereinafter, a predetermined direction among directions parallel to the bottom 10 will be referred to as a first direction D1. A direction parallel to the bottom 10 that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) the first direction D1 will be referred to as a second direction D2.

[0017] The bottom 10 is rectangular in plan view (i.e., when viewed from above). The bottom 10 has four side edges 11. The four side edges 11 extend in either a first direction D1 or a second direction D2. The bottom 10 has a stage 12 in its center. The stage 12 is rectangular in plan view. Each edge of the stage 12 extends in either the first direction D1 or the second direction D2. The stage 12 is movable up and down. The upper surface of the stage 12 is a molding area 13 where the object S is additively manufactured. Note that the "molding area" in this disclosure is not limited to a movable stage, but may also be a part of the bottom 10 that is in a fixed position. The "molding area" in this disclosure refers to the area of ​​the bottom 10 where the object S is additively manufactured. For example, the "molding area" refers to the area of ​​the bottom 10 where the laser light L is irradiated.

[0018] (ceiling) The ceiling part 20 is located above the bottom part 10. The ceiling part 20 has a ceiling part main body 21, one or more (for example, a plurality of) laser irradiation windows 22, and a blowing part 4.

[0019] (Ceiling body) The ceiling main body 21 divides the space into upper and lower sections. The ceiling main body 21 is formed in the shape of a plate extending horizontally. The ceiling main body 21 covers the entire printing area 13.

[0020] (laser irradiation window) As shown in FIG. 2, a total of four laser irradiation windows 22 are provided in the center of the ceiling main body 21. Each laser irradiation window 22 faces the laser irradiation unit 2 in the up-down direction. The laser irradiation window 22 is made of a material that can transmit the laser light L (see FIG. 1) output from the laser irradiation unit 2. When the laser light L is a fiber laser or a YAG laser, the laser irradiation window 22 is made of, for example, quartz glass. Each laser irradiation window 22 is formed to have the same shape and size. The laser irradiation window 22 is formed in a circular plate shape. The plate thickness direction of the laser irradiation window 22 coincides with the up-down direction. For example, the four laser irradiation windows 22 are arranged so that their center points form a rectangle in a plan view. The four laser irradiation windows 22 are located inside the building area 13 in a plan view.

[0021] The four laser irradiation windows 22 include two each of first laser irradiation windows 23 and second laser irradiation windows 24 aligned in the second direction D2. The two first laser irradiation windows 23 are aligned in the first direction D1. The two second laser irradiation windows 24 are aligned in the first direction D1. The arrangement of the laser irradiation windows 22 is not limited to the above example. For example, the first laser irradiation windows 23 and the second laser irradiation windows 24 are not limited to being aligned completely in the second direction D2. The first laser irradiation windows 23 and the second laser irradiation windows 24 may be aligned with each other in the first direction D1 so that they are partially aligned in the second direction D2.

[0022] (Blowout section) The blowing section 4 is a blowing section for the inert gas G. The blowing section 4 is provided in the ceiling main body 21. The blowing section 4 blows the inert gas G from the ceiling main body 21 toward the bottom 10 (i.e., downward). The inert gas G is a gas that does not substantially react with the material powder. Examples of the inert gas G include nitrogen gas, argon gas, and helium gas. In this embodiment, the blowing section 4 is an opening (blowout opening 25) that opens in the ceiling main body 21. For example, the blowing section 4 is provided in the center of the ceiling main body 21.

[0023] 2, the air outlet opening 25 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the second direction D2 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the width W1b of the air outlet section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the air outlet section 4 in the first direction D1 and is equal to or larger than the width W2 of the printing area 13 in the second direction D2.

[0024] From another perspective, the width W1b of the blowing unit 4 in the second direction D2 is equal to or greater than the width W4 of the model S in the second direction D2.

[0025] From another perspective, the width W1a of the blowing section 4 in the first direction D1 is smaller than the width W5a of the laser irradiation window 22 (e.g., the first laser irradiation window 23) in the first direction D1. The width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W5b of the laser irradiation window 22 (e.g., the first laser irradiation window 23) in the second direction D2.

[0026] In this embodiment, the blowing section 4 is provided between the multiple laser irradiation windows 22. More specifically, the blowing section 4 is located between two first laser irradiation windows 23 and between two second laser irradiation windows 24. In this embodiment, the blowing section 4 includes, in a plan view, a first portion 4a aligned with the first laser irradiation window 23 in the first direction D1 and a second portion 4b aligned with the second laser irradiation window 24 in the first direction D1.

[0027] More specifically, the blowing unit 4 has a third portion 4c and a fourth portion 4d. The third portion 4c is located farther from the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2 when viewed from the center C of the printing area 13 in a plan view. On the other hand, the fourth portion 4d is located farther from the second laser irradiation window 24 in the second direction D2 when viewed from the center C of the printing area 13 in a plan view.

[0028] (side) Returning to Figure 1, the side portion 30 will be described. The side portion 30 is provided to stand up from the side end portion 11 of the bottom portion 10. The side portion 30 has a pair of first side portions 31 facing each other in a first direction D1 and a pair of second side portions 32 facing each other in a second direction D2. Each of the pair of first side portions 31 has an outlet 33 for the inert gas G.

[0029] (Exhaust port) The discharge outlet 33 is provided at the bottom of the first side portion 31. A pair of discharge outlets 33 are provided facing each other in the first direction D1. The pair of discharge outlets 33 are formed to have the same shape and the same size. The discharge outlet 33 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the second direction D2. The discharge outlet 33 opens toward the shaping area 13. The discharge outlet 33 is aligned with the shaping area 13. The width W3 of the discharge outlet 33 in the second direction D2 is approximately the same as the width W2 of the shaping area 13 in the second direction D2. The direction parallel to the bottom 10 and from the shaping area 13 toward the discharge outlet 33 coincides with the first direction D1.

[0030] (Action and effect) When performing additive manufacturing using the above-described additive manufacturing apparatus 1, first, material powder is spread evenly in the manufacturing area 13 to form a layer of material powder. Laser light L is irradiated onto the material powder spread in the manufacturing area 13. The material powder is sintered by the laser light L. This forms the first sintered layer in the manufacturing area 13. The stage 12 is then lowered by the thickness of one sintered layer. Material powder is spread on top of the first sintered layer, and a second sintered layer is formed using the same procedure. This procedure is repeated to stack multiple sintered layers. Adjacent sintered layers are strongly bonded to each other. The additive manufacturing of the model S is completed when the multiple sintered layers that have been formed are bonded together. After additive manufacturing of the model S, the unsintered material powder is removed.

[0031] When performing additive manufacturing as described above, when the material powder is irradiated with laser light L, fumes P1 and spatter P2 are generated from the material powder due to the heat of the laser light L. The fumes P1 and spatter P2 block the laser light L, causing a decrease in the performance of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1. For this reason, it is necessary to remove the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from within the chamber 3. A method for removing the fumes P1 and spatter P2 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0032] (Method for removing fumes and spatter) As shown in FIG. 3 , the blowing unit 4 blows the inert gas G downward toward the printing area 13. The flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 is two-dimensional along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction and is uniform in the second direction D2. The inert gas G collides with the center of the printing area 13. When the inert gas G collides with the printing area 13, it flows from the center of the printing area 13 outward in the first direction D1. At this time, the inert gas G flows along the printing area 13. The flow of the inert gas G along the printing area 13 is uniform in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The flow of the inert gas G along the printing area 13 occurs over an area larger than the printing area 13, including the entire printing area 13. The inert gas G is then discharged to the outside of the chamber 3 through the exhaust port 33.

[0033] The flow of the inert gas G described above quickly exhausts the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from the exhaust port 33 to the outside of the chamber 3. In this way, the fumes P1 and spatter P2 are removed from the chamber 3.

[0034] As a comparative example, consider a configuration in which a circular or relatively small oval inert gas G outlet is provided on the ceiling main body 21. In such a configuration, the inert gas G ejected downward from the outlet collides with the printing area 13 and then flows around the entire periphery of the printing area 13. As a result, near the second side portion 32 where no exhaust port 33 is provided, the inert gas G collides with the second side portion 32, generating a circulating flow. As a result, fumes P1 and spatter P2 may be trapped in the circulating flow and may not be sufficiently discharged from the chamber 3.

[0035] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the width W1b of the blowing unit 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the blowing unit 4 in the first direction D1 and is equal to or larger than the width W2 of the printing area 13 in the second direction D2.

[0036] This allows the flow of the inert gas G in the blowing unit 4 to be aligned parallel to one another and uniform in the second direction D2. The flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 is a two-dimensional, uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inert gas G can be caused to collide with the entire shaping area 13 in the second direction D2. The inert gas G that has collided with the shaping area 13 flows in the first direction D1 along the shaping area 13 and is discharged from the exhaust port 33. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 becomes a uniform flow. This flow of the inert gas G suppresses the generation of a circulating flow that rolls up from the bottom 10 along the second side portion 32. Therefore, the inert gas G is guided to the exhaust port 33 without stagnation. This prevents the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from being trapped in the circulating flow. This flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 allows the fumes P1 and spatter P2 to be discharged from the exhaust port 33. Therefore, the fumes P1 and spatters P2 can be removed evenly within the modeling area 13, and the fumes P1 and spatters P2 can be uniformly prevented from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S throughout the modeling area 13. This makes it possible to suppress variations in modeling quality.

[0037] Furthermore, the flow of the inert gas G along the modeling area 13 is uniform, so that the inert gas G is supplied and exhausted uniformly and quickly above the modeling area 13. Therefore, the flow of the inert gas G can effectively exhaust the fumes P1 and spatter P2.

[0038] Note that an interference vortex of the inert gas G may occur outside the collision position of the inert gas G in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the width W1b of the blowing unit 4 in the second direction D2 is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the printing area 13 in the second direction D2. This makes it possible to position the interference vortex outside the printing area 13. This makes it possible to prevent fumes P1 and spatter P2 trapped in the interference vortex from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S.

[0039] In this embodiment, the blowout section 4 is an opening (blowout opening 25) provided in the ceiling main body 21. This makes it possible to form the blowout section 4 by a simple process of simply forming the blowout opening 25 in the ceiling main body 21. This allows the number of manufacturing steps for the layered manufacturing apparatus 1 to be reduced.

[0040] In this embodiment, the blowing section 4 is provided between the plurality of laser irradiation windows 22. Therefore, the laser light L irradiated from the laser irradiation windows 22 is not blocked or interfered with by the blowing section 4. This allows the blowing section 4 to be provided without changing the structure of the laser irradiation windows 22, etc.

[0041] <Modification of the first embodiment> The outlet 33 for the inert gas G may be provided in the bottom portion 10. In this case, the outlet 33 is disposed outside the modeling area 13 in the first direction D1.

[0042] 4, the additive manufacturing apparatus 1 may also have a flow path member 34 having an outlet 33. The flow path member 34 is, for example, a pipe provided on the first side portion 31. The flow path member 34 extends, for example, in the vertical direction along the first side portion 31. A plurality of flow path members 34 are provided at intervals in the second direction D2. The lower end of each flow path member 34 bends inward in the first direction D1 near the bottom 10 and opens toward the manufacturing area 13. The opening on the lower side of the flow path member 34 serves as the outlet 33 for the inert gas G. The inert gas G is introduced into the flow path member 34 from the outlet 33, flows upward through the flow path member 34, and is discharged to the outside of the chamber 3 from an opening on the upper side (not shown) of the flow path member 34.

[0043] The flow path member 34 is not limited to a pipe, but may be, for example, a fan that connects the inside and outside of the chamber 3.

[0044] Second Embodiment An additive manufacturing apparatus 1A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. In the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the second embodiment other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 5, a portion of the building area 13 may be used for additive manufacturing. Hereinafter, the portion of the building area 13 that is actually used for additive manufacturing of the object S will be referred to as the usage area 14. In this embodiment, the width W1b of the blowing unit 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the blowing unit 4 in the first direction D1 and is equal to or larger than the width of the usage area 14 of the building area 13 in the second direction D2. In other words, the width W1b of the blowing unit 4 in the second direction D2 is equal to or larger than the width W4 of the object S in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the width W1b of the blowing unit 4 in the second direction D2 is smaller than the width W2 of the building area 13 in the second direction D2.

[0046] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, the width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the blowing section 4 in the first direction D1 and is equal to or larger than the width W4 of the model S in the second direction D2.

[0047] This allows the flow of the inert gas G in the blowing unit 4 to be aligned parallel and uniform in the second direction D2. The flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 is a two-dimensional, uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inert gas G can be made to collide with the entire shaped object S in the second direction D2. The inert gas G that has collided with the shaped object S flows in the first direction D1 along the shaping area 13 and is discharged from the discharge port 33. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 becomes uniform at least in the use area 14. This flow of the inert gas G suppresses the generation of a circulating flow that rolls up from the bottom 10 along the second side portion 32. Therefore, the inert gas G is guided to the discharge port 33 without stagnation. This prevents the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from being trapped in the circulating flow. The flow of the inert gas G along the modeling area 13 allows the fumes P1 and spatter P2 to be discharged from the exhaust port 33. Therefore, the fumes P1 and spatter P2 can be removed evenly at least within the use area 14, and the fumes P1 and spatter P2 can be prevented from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S evenly at least within the use area 14. Therefore, it is possible to reduce variations in modeling quality.

[0048] Furthermore, the flow of the inert gas G along the manufacturing area 13 is uniform at least within the use area 14, so that the inert gas G is supplied and exhausted uniformly and quickly at least above the use area 14. Therefore, the flow of the inert gas G can effectively exhaust the fumes P1 and spatter P2.

[0049] Furthermore, the width W1b of the blowout unit 4 in the second direction D2 is equal to or greater than the width W4 of the object S in the second direction D2. This allows the interference vortex to be positioned outside the object S, i.e., outside the use area 14. This prevents fumes P1 and spatter P2 trapped in the interference vortex from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the object S.

[0050] <Third embodiment> An additive manufacturing apparatus 1B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. In the third embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the third embodiment other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0051] 6, the width W1a of the blowing section 4 in the first direction D1 is smaller than the width W5a of the laser irradiation window 22 (e.g., the first laser irradiation window 23) in the first direction D1, and the width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W5b of the laser irradiation window 22 (e.g., the first laser irradiation window 23) in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W4 of the model S in the second direction D2 and smaller than the width W2 of the modeling area 13 in the second direction D2.

[0052] In this embodiment, the blowing unit 4 includes, in plan view, a first portion 4a aligned with the first laser irradiation window 23 in the first direction D1, and a second portion 4b aligned with the second laser irradiation window 24 in the first direction D1.

[0053] More specifically, the blowing unit 4 has a third portion 4c and a fourth portion 4d. The third portion 4c is located farther from the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2 when viewed from the center C of the printing area 13 in a plan view. On the other hand, the fourth portion 4d is located farther from the second laser irradiation window 24 in the second direction D2 when viewed from the center C of the printing area 13 in a plan view.

[0054] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, the width W1a of the blowing section 4 in the first direction D1 is smaller than the width W5a of the first laser irradiation window 23 in the first direction D1. The width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W5b of the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2.

[0055] This allows the flow of the inert gas G in the blowing unit 4 to be aligned parallel and uniform in the second direction D2. The flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 is a two-dimensional, uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inert gas G can be blown out from a wider area in the second direction D2 than the width W5b of the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2. This allows the inert gas G to impinge on a wider area in the second direction D2 than the area of ​​the shaping area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. The inert gas G that impinges on the shaping area 13 flows along the shaping area 13 in the first direction D1 and is discharged from the discharge port 33. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 is uniform at least in the area of ​​the shaping area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. This flow of the inert gas G suppresses the generation of a circulating flow that spirals upward from the bottom 10 along the side 30. Therefore, the inert gas G is guided to the exhaust port 33 without stagnation. This makes it possible to prevent the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from being trapped in the circulating flow. The flow of the inert gas G along the printing area 13 allows the fumes P1 and spatter P2 to be exhausted from the exhaust port 33. This makes it possible to remove the fumes P1 and spatter P2 evenly within at least the area of ​​the printing area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23, and to prevent the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the printing object S, evenly within at least the area of ​​the printing area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. This makes it possible to reduce variation in printing quality.

[0056] Furthermore, the flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 is uniform at least in the area of ​​the shaping area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23, and therefore the inert gas G is supplied and exhausted uniformly and quickly at least over the area of ​​the shaping area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. Therefore, the flow of the inert gas G can effectively exhaust the fumes P1 and spatter P2.

[0057] Furthermore, the inert gas G can be caused to collide with a wider area in the second direction D2 than the area of ​​the modeling area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. This allows the interference vortex to be positioned outside the area of ​​the modeling area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. This makes it possible to prevent the fumes P1 and spatter P2 captured by the interference vortex from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S.

[0058] In this embodiment, the blowing unit 4 includes, in a plan view, a first portion 4a aligned with the first laser irradiation window 23 in the first direction D1 and a second portion 4b aligned with the second laser irradiation window 24 in the first direction D1. This allows the inert gas G to be blown out from a wide range corresponding to the area where the multiple laser irradiation windows 22 (the first laser irradiation window 23 and the second laser irradiation window 24) are provided. Therefore, the inert gas G can be caused to collide with a wide range of the shaping area 13 corresponding to the multiple laser irradiation windows 22. Therefore, the flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 allows the fumes P1 and spatter P2 to be more effectively discharged.

[0059] <Fourth embodiment> An additive manufacturing apparatus 1C according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 9. In the fourth embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the fourth embodiment other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0060] 7, in this embodiment, the ceiling section 20 has a ceiling section main body 21 and a blow-out nozzle 40 extending downward from the ceiling section main body 21. In this embodiment, the blow-out section 4 is an opening (blow-out port 5b) that opens at the lower end 40b of the blow-out nozzle 40.

[0061] More specifically, the ceiling main body 21 has an attachment opening 26 to which the blow-out nozzle 40 is attached. The attachment opening 26 is provided in the center of the ceiling main body 21 in plan view. The attachment opening 26 is surrounded by four laser irradiation windows 22. The attachment opening 26 is formed in a circular shape in plan view.

[0062] (Blowout nozzle) 8, the blowout nozzle 40 has an upper end (first end) 40a and a lower end (second end) 40b. The lower end 40b is located on the opposite side of the upper end 40a in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the blowout nozzle 40.

[0063] The blowout nozzle 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape with openings at the upper end 40a and the lower end 40b. The opening at the upper end 40a of the blowout nozzle 40 is an inlet (introduction portion) 5a through which the inert gas G is introduced into the inside of the blowout nozzle 40. The inlet 5a is formed in a circular shape. The opening at the lower end 40b of the blowout nozzle 40 is an outlet 5b from which the inert gas G is blown out. The outlet 5b opens downward. The outlet 5b is parallel to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 described above. The size of the outlet 5b will be described later.

[0064] An upper end 40a of the blow-out nozzle 40 is detachably attached to the ceiling main body 21. An inlet 5a of the blow-out nozzle 40 communicates with the attachment opening 26 of the ceiling main body 21. In other words, the blow-out nozzle 40 is attached so as to extend downward from the ceiling main body 21.

[0065] From one perspective, the blowout nozzle 40 has an expanding section 41 and an outlet section 42. The expanding section 41 is a section whose width in the second direction D2 increases as it extends downward. For example, the expanding section 41 is formed so that its cross-sectional shape gradually changes as it extends downward from the inlet 5a. The outlet section 42 is provided below the expanding section 41.

[0066] The outlet section 42 extends downward with a constant width in the second direction D2. That is, the width of the outlet section 42 in the second direction D2 is not expanded. The length L1 in the up-down direction of the outlet section 42 is greater than, for example, the width W1a of the outlet 5b in the first direction D1. The outlet section 42 is a flow rectifier that converts the inert gas G, which has a flow component heading in the second direction D2 while passing through the expanded section 41, into a flow heading vertically downward. In this embodiment, the outlet 5b is provided at the lower end of the outlet section 42.

[0067] The width W1a of the air outlet 5b in the first direction D1 is smaller than the width W6a of the inlet 5a in the first direction D1. The width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W6b of the inlet 5a in the second direction D2. The width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the second direction D2 is, for example, three or more times, or even four or more times, the width W6b of the inlet 5a in the second direction D2.

[0068] 9, in this embodiment, the air outlet 5b is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the second direction D2 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the air outlet 5b in the first direction D1 and is equal to or larger than the width W2 of the printing area 13 in the second direction D2.

[0069] The shape and size of the air outlet 5b are the same as those of the air outlet 4 (air outlet opening 25) of the first embodiment. That is, in the description of the shape and size of the air outlet 5b, "air outlet 4" can be read as "air outlet 5b" in the description of the shape and size of the air outlet 4 of the first embodiment.

[0070] Returning to Fig. 8, other parts of the blow-out nozzle 40 will be described. In this embodiment, the blow-out nozzle 40 has a flattened portion 43. The flattened portion 43 is provided at least at the lower end portion 40b of the blow-out nozzle 40. In this embodiment, the flattened portion 43 is provided across at least a part of the expanded portion 41 and the outlet portion 42.

[0071] The flat portion 43 is formed in a flat shape (a hollow plate shape) along the second direction D2. The flat portion 43 has an internal space with a constant width in the first direction D1. The flat portion 43 is a flow straightening portion that straightens the flow of the inert gas G into a vertically downward flow when the inert gas G flowing in from the inlet 5a has a flow component directed in the first direction D1.

[0072] According to one aspect, the blowout nozzle 40 includes a first blowout nozzle S1 and a second blowout nozzle S2.

[0073] The first blow-out nozzle S1 is, for example, a blow-out nozzle that can be attached in place of a normal nozzle included in the layered manufacturing apparatus 1. That is, the fixing structure of the first blow-out nozzle S1 with respect to the attachment opening 26 is the same as the fixing structure of the normal nozzle. Note that the first blow-out nozzle S1 may be the normal nozzle (existing nozzle) included in the layered manufacturing apparatus 1 itself.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first blow-out nozzle S1 has a first blow-out nozzle body 43a and a flange 44. The first blow-out nozzle body 43a is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction and open at both ends in the axial direction. The upper opening of the first blow-out nozzle body 43a serves as an inlet 5a for the inert gas G. The width of the first blow-out nozzle body 43a in the first direction D1 gradually decreases downward. The width of the first blow-out nozzle body 43a in the second direction D2 gradually increases downward. The lower opening of the first blow-out nozzle body 43a is formed in an elliptical shape extending in the second direction D2 in a plan view. The flange 44 is provided around the entire outer periphery of the lower end of the first blow-out nozzle body 43a. The flange 44 protrudes outward from the first blow-out nozzle body 43a.

[0075] The second blowing nozzle S2 is an additional nozzle (extension nozzle) attached to the first blowing nozzle S1. The second blowing nozzle S2 is attached to the lower end of the first blowing nozzle S1 and extends downward from the lower end of the first blowing nozzle S1. The blowing outlet 5b is provided at the lower end of the second blowing nozzle S2.

[0076] In this embodiment, the second blowout nozzle S2 has a second blowout nozzle main body (flat portion main body) 45, a plurality of guide vanes 46 (see FIG. 10), and a flange 47.

[0077] The second blow-out nozzle body 45 has a flattened outer shape that extends vertically and in the second direction D2. The second blow-out nozzle body 45 includes the above-mentioned expanded portion 41, outlet portion 42, and flat portion 43. The upper opening of the second blow-out nozzle body 45 is formed to have the same shape and size as the lower opening of the first blow-out nozzle body 43a, and is in communication with the lower opening of the first blow-out nozzle body 43a.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of guide vanes 46 are provided inside the second blow-out nozzle body 45. The plurality of guide vanes 46 each extend in the vertical direction and are arranged so as to be aligned at equal intervals in the second direction D2. As each guide vane 46 extends downward, it is positioned further outward in the second direction D2. The intervals between the plurality of guide vanes 46 in the second direction D2 increase as it extends downward. However, at the lower part of the second blow-out nozzle body 45, the intervals between the plurality of guide vanes 46 in the second direction D2 are constant. That is, at the lower part of the second blow-out nozzle body 45, each guide vane 46 extends linearly in the vertical direction.

[0079] The flange 47 is provided around the entire outer periphery of the upper end of the second blow-out nozzle body 45 (see FIG. 8). The flange 47 protrudes outward from the second blow-out nozzle body 45. The flange 47 is connected to the flange 44 of the first blow-out nozzle S1 from below.

[0080] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, the layered manufacturing apparatus 1C includes a blow-out nozzle 40 that can be attached to the ceiling main body 21. A blow-out outlet 5b corresponding to the blow-out section 4 (blow-out opening 25) of the first embodiment is provided at the lower end of the blow-out nozzle 40. As a result, by attaching the blow-out nozzle 40 to the ceiling main body 21, a layered manufacturing apparatus 1C including the blow-out outlet 5b can be obtained. In other words, it is possible to retrofit the device to an existing device.

[0081] In this embodiment, the width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the first direction D1 and is equal to or larger than the width W2 of the printing area 13 in the second direction D2. This allows for the same effects as those of the first embodiment to be achieved.

[0082] In this embodiment, the blowout nozzle 40 has a flat portion 43 along the second direction D2 at least at the lower end portion.

[0083] This makes it possible to narrow the flow of the inert gas G during the process of flowing the inert gas G into the flat portion 43. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably make the flow of the inert gas G blown out from the outlet 5b a two-dimensional, uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. This more reliably prevents a circulating flow from occurring in the chamber 3, thereby more effectively preventing the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from being trapped in the circulating flow. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the fumes P1 and spatter P2 trapped in the circulating flow from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S.

[0084] In this embodiment, the blowout nozzle 40 has an expanding section 41 whose width in the second direction D2 increases downward, and an outlet section 42 that is provided below the expanding section 41 and extends downward with a constant width in the second direction D2. The blowout section 4 is provided at the lower end of the outlet section 42.

[0085] This allows the flow of the inert gas G to be aligned vertically while flowing through the outlet portion 42. This more reliably prevents the inert gas G blown out from the blowout unit 4 from colliding with the side portion 30 and generating a circulating flow of the inert gas G before reaching the modeling area 13. This more effectively prevents the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from being trapped in the circulating flow. This more effectively prevents the fumes P1 and spatter P2 trapped in the circulating flow from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S.

[0086] In this embodiment, the blowout nozzle 40 includes therein a plurality of guide vanes 46 aligned in the second direction D2.

[0087] This allows the inert gas G to be dispersed more uniformly in the second direction D2 during the process of flowing the inert gas G between the multiple guide vanes 46. Therefore, the flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowout unit 4 can be more reliably made to be a two-dimensional, uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. This more reliably prevents a circulating flow from occurring in the chamber 3, thereby more effectively preventing the fumes P1 and spatter P2 from being trapped in the circulating flow. Therefore, it is more reliably prevented the fumes P1 and spatter P2 trapped in the circulating flow from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S.

[0088] In this embodiment, the blow-out nozzle 40 includes a first blow-out nozzle S1 attached to the ceiling main body 21, and a second blow-out nozzle S2 connected to the first blow-out nozzle S2, extending downward from the first blow-out nozzle S1, and having the blow-out portion 4.

[0089] As a result, simply by attaching the second blow-out nozzle S2 to the first blow-out nozzle S1, it is possible to obtain the layered manufacturing apparatuses 1C and 1D equipped with the blow-out nozzle 40. In other words, if the first blow-out nozzle S1 is an existing nozzle already attached to the ceiling main body 21, it is possible to obtain the layered manufacturing apparatus 1C equipped with the blow-out nozzle 40 simply by adding the second blow-out nozzle.

[0090] In the fourth embodiment, the width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the air outlet 5b in the first direction D1 and is equal to or larger than the width W2 of the printing area 13 in the second direction D2, but this is not limited to this. The width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the second direction D2 may be larger than the width W1a of the air outlet 5b in the first direction D1 and may be equal to or larger than the width W4 of the shaped object S in the second direction D2. In this case, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, the width W1a of the air outlet 5b in the first direction D1 may be smaller than the width W5a of the laser irradiation window 22 in the first direction D1, and the width W1b of the air outlet 5b in the second direction D2 may be larger than the width W5b of the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2. In this case, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be achieved.

[0091] In the fourth embodiment, the mounting opening 26 of the ceiling main body 21 and the inlet 5a of the blow-out nozzle 40 are formed in a circular shape, but this is not limited to this and they may also be formed in an elliptical shape.

[0092] In the fourth embodiment, the blow-out nozzle 40 includes the first nozzle S1, but this is not limited thereto and the blow-out nozzle 40 may include only the second nozzle S2. In this case, the blow-out nozzle 40 is attached to the ceiling portion 20 by adding it to an additive manufacturing apparatus that already has a nozzle (existing nozzle) for blowing out the inert gas G. The blow-out nozzle 40 is attached to the opening at the bottom end of the existing nozzle. Alternatively, the blow-out nozzle 40 including only the second nozzle S2 may be attached to the attachment opening 26 of the ceiling portion main body 21 in place of the existing nozzle.

[0093] Fifth Embodiment An additive manufacturing apparatus 1D according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 11 and 12. In the fifth embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the fifth embodiment, other than that described below, is the same as the configuration of the fourth embodiment.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 11, the layered manufacturing apparatus 1D includes a blowout nozzle 40 that further includes a rectifying member 50 (corresponding to the rectifying section in the claims) in addition to the blowout nozzle 40 of the fourth embodiment. The rectifying member 50 is provided inside the lower end portion 40b of the blowout nozzle 40. For example, the rectifying member 50 is provided inside the flat section 43 of the blowout nozzle 40. From another perspective, the rectifying member 50 is provided inside the outlet portion 42 of the blowout nozzle 40. For example, the rectifying member 50 is provided below a plurality of guide vanes 46 inside the outlet portion 42 of the blowout nozzle 40.

[0095] 12, the flow straightening member 50 includes a plurality of flow straightening cylindrical portions 51 (corresponding to cylindrical portions in the claims) therein. The cross-sectional shapes of the plurality of flow straightening cylindrical portions 51 are polygons (e.g., regular hexagons) of the same size. The plurality of flow straightening cylindrical portions 51 are arranged without gaps in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0096] The vertical length L2 of the flow straightening cylinder portion 51 is, for example, greater than the width W1a of the air outlet 5b in the first direction D1. The vertical length L2 of the flow straightening cylinder portion 51 is, for example, 5 mm or more. From another perspective, the vertical length of the flow straightening cylinder portion 51 is three times or more the diagonal length of the regular hexagonal cross section of the flow straightening cylinder portion 51.

[0097] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, the layered manufacturing apparatus 1D includes a rectifying member 50 provided inside the blow-out nozzle 40. The rectifying member 50 has a plurality of rectifying cylindrical portions 51 extending in the vertical direction.

[0098] This allows the components of the inert gas G flowing in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to be attenuated during the process of flowing the inert gas G inside the flow straightening cylinder portion 51. This further prevents the inert gas G blown out from the blowout unit 4 from diffusing in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. This allows the flow velocity of the inert gas G colliding with the manufacturing area 13 to be kept high, thereby maintaining the performance of removing fumes P1 and spatter P2.

[0099] Furthermore, since the components of the flow of the inert gas G in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 can be attenuated, a flow along the modeling area 13 can be easily formed. This more reliably prevents a circulating flow from occurring in the chamber 3. This more effectively prevents the fumes P1 and sputters P2 from being trapped in the circulating flow. This more effectively prevents the fumes P1 and sputters P2 trapped in the circulating flow from blocking the laser light L irradiated onto the model S.

[0100] In the fifth embodiment, the rectifying member 50 is provided in the blow-out nozzle 40, but this is not limiting. For example, the rectifying member 50 may be directly connected to the blow-out opening 25 of the first to third embodiments.

[0101] In the fifth embodiment, the rectifying member 50 may be formed integrally with the blow-out nozzle 40, or may be a separate member from the blow-out nozzle 40. When the rectifying member 50 is a separate member from the blow-out nozzle 40, for example, the upper end of the rectifying member 50 is inserted into the blow-out portion 4 of the blow-out nozzle 40 and fixed thereto.

[0102] In the fifth embodiment, the multiple straightening cylinder portions 51 are arranged without gaps in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, but this is not limited to this, and the multiple straightening cylinder portions 51 may be arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0103] In the fifth embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the plurality of flow-regulating cylindrical portions 51 is a regular hexagon, but this is not limited thereto, and may be an equilateral triangle, a regular square, or the like.

[0104] (Other embodiments) The above describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure. In the above embodiment, the material powder is a metal, but is not limited to this and may be a resin material.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1, but this is not limited thereto, and the second direction D2 may intersect with the first direction D1. For example, the angle between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be slightly larger or smaller than 90 degrees.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the bottom 10 has the stage 12, but this is not limited to this. The bottom 10 may not have the stage 12, and the shaping area 13 of the bottom 10 may be a flat surface that does not move up and down.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the blowout unit 4 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the second direction D2 in a plan view, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the blowout unit 4 may be formed in an elliptical shape extending in the second direction D2.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the laser irradiation window 22 is provided in the center of the ceiling main body 21, but this is not limited to this, and the laser irradiation window 22 may be positioned biased toward the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 of the ceiling main body 21.

[0109] In the above embodiment, four laser irradiation windows 22 are provided, but this is not limiting, and for example, only one laser irradiation window 22 may be provided. The number of laser irradiation windows 22 can be changed as appropriate.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the laser irradiation window 22 is formed in a disk shape, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the laser irradiation window 22 may be formed in a rectangular plate shape, and the shape of the laser irradiation window 22 is not limited thereto.

[0111] <Additional Notes> The layered manufacturing apparatuses 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D and the blowing nozzle 40 described in the respective embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0112] (1) The additive manufacturing apparatuses 1, 1C, and 1D according to the first aspect include a bottom 10 having a manufacturing area 13 where an object S is additively manufactured, a ceiling 20 located above the bottom 10 and having an outlet 4 for an inert gas G, and a side 30 standing upright from a side end 11 of the bottom 10, and at least one of the bottom 10, the side 30, and a flow path member 34 provided separately from the bottom 10 and the side 30 has an outlet for the inert gas G. 33, and the direction from the creation area 13 toward the outlet 33 in a direction parallel to the bottom 10 is defined as a first direction D1, and the direction parallel to the bottom 10 and intersecting the first direction D1 is defined as a second direction D2, the width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the blowing section 4 in the first direction D1 and is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the creation area 13 in the second direction D2.

[0113] This allows the flow of the inert gas G in the blowing unit 4 to be aligned in parallel and uniform in the second direction D2. The flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 becomes a two-dimensional, uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inert gas G can be caused to collide with the entire shaping area 13 in the second direction D2. The inert gas G that has collided with the shaping area 13 flows in the first direction D1 along the shaping area 13 and is discharged from the exhaust port 33. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 becomes a uniform flow. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 allows fumes P1 and spatter P2 to be discharged from the exhaust port 33.

[0114] (2) The second aspect of the layered manufacturing apparatus 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D includes a bottom 10 having a manufacturing area 13 where a model S is layered, a ceiling 20 located above the bottom 10 and having a blowout section 4 for an inert gas G, and a side section 30 standing upright from a side end 11 of the bottom 10. At least one of the bottom 10, the side section 30, and a flow path member 34 provided separately from the bottom 10 and the side section 30 blows the inert gas G. When the direction from the forming area 13 to the discharge outlet 33 parallel to the bottom 10 is defined as a first direction D1, and the direction parallel to the bottom 10 and intersecting the first direction D1 is defined as a second direction D2, the width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W1a of the blowing section 4 in the first direction D1 and is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the formed object S in the second direction D2.

[0115] This allows the flow of the inert gas G in the blowing unit 4 to be aligned in parallel and uniform in the second direction D2. The flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 becomes a two-dimensional, uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inert gas G can be made to collide with the entire shaped object S in the second direction D2. The inert gas G that has collided with the shaped object S flows in the first direction D1 along the shaping area 13 and is discharged from the outlet 33. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 becomes a uniform flow at least in the area actually used for additive manufacturing. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 allows fumes P1 and spatter P2 to be discharged from the outlet 33.

[0116] (3) The third aspect of the layered manufacturing apparatus 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D includes a bottom 10 having a manufacturing area 13 where a model S is layered, a ceiling 20 located above the bottom 10 and having an inert gas G blowout section 4 and a first laser irradiation window 23, and a side section 30 standing upright from a side end 11 of the bottom 10, and at least one of the bottom 10, the side section 30, and a flow path member 34 provided separately from the bottom 10 and the side section 30 has an outlet 33 for the inert gas G, If the direction parallel to the bottom 10 from the forming area 13 toward the discharge outlet 33 is defined as a first direction D1, and the direction parallel to the bottom 10 intersecting the first direction D1 is defined as a second direction D2, the width W1a of the blowing section 4 in the first direction D1 is smaller than the width W5a of the first laser irradiation window 23 in the first direction D1, and the width W1b of the blowing section 4 in the second direction D2 is larger than the width W5b of the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2.

[0117] This allows the flow of the inert gas G in the blowing unit 4 to be parallel and uniform in the second direction D2. The flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 is a two-dimensional and uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inert gas G can be blown out from a wider area in the second direction D2 than the width W5b of the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2. This allows the inert gas G to impinge on a wider area in the second direction D2 than the area of ​​the shaping area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. The inert gas G that impinges on the shaping area 13 flows along the shaping area 13 in the first direction D1 and is discharged from the exhaust port 33. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 is uniform at least in the area of ​​the shaping area 13 that overlaps with the first laser irradiation window 23. The flow of the inert gas G along the shaping area 13 allows fumes P1 and spatter P2 to be discharged from the exhaust port 33.

[0118] (4) The fourth aspect of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D is the additive manufacturing apparatus 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D of (3), wherein the ceiling portion 20 has a second laser irradiation window 24, at least a portion of which is aligned with the first laser irradiation window 23 in the second direction D2, and the blowing portion 4 may include, when the additive manufacturing apparatus 1, 1B, 1C, 1D is viewed in a plane, a first portion 4a aligned with the first laser irradiation window 23 in the first direction D1, and a second portion 4b aligned with the second laser irradiation window 24 in the first direction D1.

[0119] This allows the inert gas G to be blown out from a wide range corresponding to the area where the first laser irradiation window 23 and the second laser irradiation window 24 are provided. Therefore, the inert gas G can be made to collide with a wide range of the shaping area 13 corresponding to the first laser irradiation window 23 and the second laser irradiation window 24.

[0120] (5) The fifth aspect of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1, 1A, 1B is any of the additive manufacturing apparatuses 1, 1A, 1B of (1) to (4), in which the ceiling portion 20 has a ceiling portion main body 21 that divides the space into upper and lower sections, and the blowing portion 4 may be an opening (blowout opening 25) provided in the ceiling portion main body 21.

[0121] As a result, the blowout section 4 can be formed by a simple process of simply forming an opening (blowout opening 25) in the ceiling section main body 21.

[0122] (6) The sixth aspect of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D is the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D of any one of (1) to (4), wherein the ceiling portion 20 has a ceiling portion main body 21 that divides the space into upper and lower sections, and a blow-out nozzle 40 extending downward from the ceiling portion main body 21, and the blow-out portion 4 may be an opening (blow-out port 5b) provided at the lower end of the blow-out nozzle 40.

[0123] As a result, by attaching the blow-out nozzle 40 to the ceiling main body 21, the layered manufacturing apparatuses 1C and 1D equipped with the blow-out unit 4 (blow-out port 5b) can be obtained.

[0124] (7) The layered manufacturing apparatuses 1C and 1D of the seventh aspect are the layered manufacturing apparatuses 1C and 1D of (6), in which the blow-out nozzle 40 may have a flat portion 43 along the second direction D2 at least at the lower end.

[0125] This makes it possible to narrow the flow of the inert gas G in the process of flowing the inert gas G inside the flat portion 43. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably make the flow of the inert gas G blown out from the outlet 5b a two-dimensional and uniform flow along an imaginary plane extending in the vertical direction.

[0126] (8) The eighth aspect of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D is the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D of (6) or (7), wherein the blowing nozzle 40 has an expansion section 41 whose width in the second direction D2 increases as it extends downward, and an outlet section 42 provided below the expansion section 41 and extending downward with a constant width in the second direction D2, and the blowing section 4 may be provided at the lower end of the outlet section 42.

[0127] This makes it possible to align the flow of the inert gas G in the vertical direction during the process of flowing the inert gas G into the outlet portion 42. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the inert gas G blown out from the blowing unit 4 from colliding with the side portion 30 and generating a circulating flow of the inert gas G before it reaches the printing area 13.

[0128] (9) The ninth aspect of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D is the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D of any one of (6) to (8), wherein the blowing nozzle 40 may have a plurality of guide vanes 46 arranged inside in the second direction D2.

[0129] This allows the inert gas G to be dispersed uniformly in the second direction D2 while flowing between the guide vanes 46. Therefore, the flow of the inert gas G blown out from the blowout unit 4 can be more reliably made into a two-dimensional and uniform flow along a plane extending in the vertical direction.

[0130] (10) The tenth aspect of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1D is an additive manufacturing apparatus 1D according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the blowing nozzle 40 is provided with a straightening section (straightening member 50), and the straightening section may have a plurality of tubular sections (straightening tubular sections 51) arranged in a line in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extending in the vertical direction.

[0131] This makes it possible to attenuate at least one of the components of the flow of the inert gas G in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 while the inert gas G is flowing inside the flow straightening cylinder portion 51. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the inert gas G blown out from the blowout portion 4 from diffusing in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2.

[0132] (11) The eleventh aspect of the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D is the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D of (10), wherein the blowing nozzle 40 may include a first blowing nozzle S1 attached to the ceiling main body 21 and a second blowing nozzle S2 connected to the first blowing nozzle S2, extending downward from the first blowing nozzle S1 and having the blowing portion 4.

[0133] As a result, layered manufacturing apparatuses 1C and 1D equipped with the blow-out nozzle 40 can be obtained simply by attaching the second blow-out nozzle S2 to the first blow-out nozzle S1.

[0134] (12) The blow-out nozzle 40 of the 12th aspect is a blow-out nozzle 40 that can be attached to the additive manufacturing apparatus 1C, 1D, and has a first end (upper end 40a) including an inlet portion (inlet port 5a) for an inert gas G, and a second end (lower end 40b) located opposite the first end and including an outlet portion 4 (outlet port 5b) for the inert gas. When a direction parallel to the second end is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the second end and intersecting the first direction D1 is defined as a second direction, the blow-out nozzle 40 has a flat portion 43 at least at the second end that extends along the second direction D2, and the width W1b of the outlet portion 4 in the second direction D2 is greater than the width W1a of the outlet portion 4 in the first direction D1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D...Layered manufacturing device 2...Laser irradiation section 3...Chamber 4...Blowout section 4a...First section 4b...Second section 5a...Inlet (inlet section) 5b...Blowout outlet (opening) 10...Bottom 11...Side end 12...Stage 13...Building area 14...Usage area 20...Ceiling section 21...Ceiling main body 22...Laser irradiation window 23...First laser irradiation window 24...Second laser irradiation window 25...Blowout opening (opening) 26...Mounting opening 30...Side section 31...First side section 32...Second side section 33...Outlet 34...Flow path member 40...Blowout nozzle 40a...Upper end (first end) 40b...Lower end (second end) 41...Expansion section 42...Outlet section 43...Flat section 43a...First blow-out nozzle body 44...Flange 45...Second blow-out nozzle body (flat portion body) 46...Guide vane 47...Flange 50...Straightening member (straightening portion) 51...Straightening cylinder portion (cylinder portion) D1...First direction D2...Second direction G...Inert gas L...Laser light L1...Length (in the vertical direction of the outlet portion) L2...(Length (in the vertical direction of the straightening cylinder portion)) P1...Fume P2...Spatter S...Printed object S1...First blow-out nozzle S2...Second blow-out nozzle W1a...Width (of the blow-out portion in the first direction) W1b...Width (of the blow-out portion in the second direction) W2...Width (of the printing area in the second direction) W3...Width (of the exhaust port in the second direction) W4...Width (of the printed object in the second direction) W5a...Width (of the first laser irradiation window in the first direction) W5b...Width (of the first laser irradiation window in the second direction) W6a...Width (of the lead-in portion in the first direction) W6b...Width (of the lead-in portion in the second direction)

Claims

1. a bottom portion having a building area where an object is to be additively built; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the printing area in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, The blowout section is an opening provided in the ceiling main body. Additive manufacturing equipment.

2. a bottom portion having a building area where an object is to be additively built; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the shaped object in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, The blowout section is an opening provided in the ceiling main body. Additive manufacturing equipment.

3. a bottom portion having a building area where an object is to be additively built; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion and a first laser irradiation window; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the first direction being smaller than a width of the first laser irradiation window in the first direction, and a width of the blowing portion in the second direction being larger than a width of the first laser irradiation window in the second direction; Additive manufacturing equipment.

4. the ceiling portion has a second laser irradiation window at least a portion of which is aligned with the first laser irradiation window in the second direction; the blowing section includes, when the layered manufacturing apparatus is viewed in a plan view, a first portion aligned with the first laser irradiation window in the first direction and a second portion aligned with the second laser irradiation window in the first direction; The additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, The blowout section is an opening provided in the ceiling main body. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, The blowout portion is an opening provided at the lower end of the blowout nozzle. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

7. The blowout nozzle has a flat portion at least at the lower end portion along the second direction. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. the blowout nozzle has an expanding portion whose width in the second direction expands downward, and an outlet portion that is provided below the expanding portion and extends downward while having a constant width in the second direction, The blowout section is provided at a lower end of the outlet section. The layered manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The blow-out nozzle includes a plurality of guide vanes arranged in the second direction therein. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The blowout nozzle includes a rectifying section, the rectifying portion includes a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extending in the up-down direction; The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. The blowout nozzle includes a first blowout nozzle attached to the ceiling main body, and a second blowout nozzle connected to the first blowout nozzle, extending downward from the first blowout nozzle, and having the blowout portion. The additive manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

12. A bottom having a building area where an object is to be additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the printing area in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, the blowout nozzle has an expanding portion whose width in the second direction expands downward, and an outlet portion that is provided below the expanding portion and extends downward while having a constant width in the second direction, The blowout section is provided at a lower end of the outlet section. Additive manufacturing equipment.

13. A bottom having a building area where an object is to be additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the shaped object in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, the blowout nozzle has an expanding portion whose width in the second direction expands downward, and an outlet portion that is provided below the expanding portion and extends downward while having a constant width in the second direction, The blowout section is provided at a lower end of the outlet section. Additive manufacturing equipment.

14. A bottom having a building area where an object is to be additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the printing area in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, The blow-out nozzle includes a plurality of guide vanes arranged in the second direction therein. Additive manufacturing equipment.

15. A bottom having a building area where an object is additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the shaped object in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, The blow-out nozzle includes a plurality of guide vanes arranged in the second direction therein. Additive manufacturing equipment.

16. A bottom having a building area where an object is to be additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the printing area in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, The blowout nozzle includes a rectifying section, the rectifying portion includes a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extending in the up-down direction; Additive manufacturing equipment.

17. A bottom having a building area where an object is to be additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the shaped object in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, The blowout nozzle includes a rectifying section, the rectifying portion includes a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extending in the up-down direction; Additive manufacturing equipment.

18. A bottom having a building area where an object is to be additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the printing area in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, The blowout nozzle includes a first blowout nozzle attached to the ceiling main body, and a second blowout nozzle connected to the first blowout nozzle, extending downward from the first blowout nozzle, and having the blowout portion. Additive manufacturing equipment.

19. A bottom having a building area where an object is to be additively manufactured; a ceiling portion located above the bottom portion and having an inert gas blowing portion; a side portion rising from a side end of the bottom portion; Equipped with At least one of the bottom portion, the side portion, and a flow path member provided separately from the bottom portion and the side portion has an outlet for the inert gas, the discharge ports are provided as a pair facing each other in a direction parallel to the bottom portion across the printing area, When a direction parallel to the bottom from the printing area toward the pair of outlets is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the bottom and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, a width of the blowing portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowing portion in the first direction and is equal to or larger than a width of the shaped object in the second direction; The ceiling portion has a ceiling portion main body that divides the space into upper and lower portions, and a blowout nozzle that extends downward from the ceiling portion main body, the blowout portion is an opening provided at a lower end of the blowout nozzle, The blowout nozzle includes a first blowout nozzle attached to the ceiling main body, and a second blowout nozzle connected to the first blowout nozzle, extending downward from the first blowout nozzle, and having the blowout portion. Additive manufacturing equipment.

20. A blowing nozzle that can be attached to an additive manufacturing apparatus, a first end including an inert gas inlet; a second end portion located opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction and including the inert gas blowing portion; Equipped with When one direction parallel to the second end portion is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the second end portion and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, At least the second end has a flat portion along the second direction, a width of the blowout portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowout portion in the first direction, an expanding portion whose width in the second direction increases as the expanding portion advances toward the second end in the axial direction; and an outlet portion which is provided on the second end side of the expanding portion in the axial direction, has a constant width in the second direction, extends toward the second end in the axial direction, and has the second end, The blowing portion is provided at the second end of the outlet portion. Blowout nozzle.

21. A blow-out nozzle attachable to an additive manufacturing device, comprising: a first end including an inert gas inlet; a second end portion located opposite to the first end portion and including a blowing portion for the inert gas; Equipped with When one direction parallel to the second end portion is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the second end portion and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, At least the second end has a flat portion along the second direction, a width of the blowout portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowout portion in the first direction, The blow-out nozzle includes a plurality of guide vanes arranged in the second direction therein. Blowout nozzle.

22. A blow-out nozzle attachable to an additive manufacturing device, comprising: a first end including an inert gas inlet; a second end portion located opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction and including the inert gas blowing portion; Equipped with When one direction parallel to the second end portion is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the second end portion and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, At least the second end has a flat portion along the second direction, a width of the blowout portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowout portion in the first direction, Equipped with a rectifying section, the flow straightening portion includes a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged side by side in at least one of the first direction and the second direction and each extending in the axial direction; Blowout nozzle.

23. A blow-out nozzle attachable to an additive manufacturing device, comprising: a first end including an inert gas inlet; a second end portion located opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction and including the inert gas blowing portion; Equipped with When one direction parallel to the second end portion is defined as a first direction, and a direction parallel to the second end portion and intersecting the first direction is defined as a second direction, At least the second end has a flat portion along the second direction, a width of the blowout portion in the second direction is larger than a width of the blowout portion in the first direction, a first blow-out nozzle attached to the additive manufacturing device; and a second blow-out nozzle connected to the first blow-out nozzle, extending from the first blow-out nozzle toward the second end in the axial direction, and having the blow-out portion, Blowout nozzle.

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