Additive manufacturing system

Abstract

Provided is a technique enabling suppression of dust attached to a molded object from scattering to an external space.　An additive manufacturing system 1 comprises: a molding chamber 10 having an additive manufacturing device 30 installed therein; a suction chamber 11 in communication with the molding chamber and having a suction device 80 installed therein; a wetting chamber 12 in communication with the suction chamber and having a wetting device 40 installed therein; the suction device; the wetting device; a first gate 20c configured to open and close an outlet of the molding chamber and an inlet of the suction chamber; a second gate 20d configured to open and close an outlet of the suction chamber and an inlet of the wetting chamber; and a third gate 20e configured to open and close an outlet of the wetting chamber. The additive manufacturing system 1 is configured so that suction processing is executed in a state in which the first gate and the second gate are closed, and wetting processing is executed in a state in which the second gate and the third gate are closed.

Description

Additive Manufacturing Systems

[0001] The present invention relates to an additive manufacturing system. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-154797, filed September 9, 2024. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-154797, including the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Conventionally, additive manufacturing systems have been known that include a manufacturing chamber in which an additive manufacturing device configured to manufacture a molded object is disposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such additive manufacturing systems, the manufacturing of the molded object by the additive manufacturing device is performed in the manufacturing chamber, and therefore, it is possible to prevent dust generated during the manufacturing of the molded object from scattering into the space outside the manufacturing chamber (exterior space) during the manufacturing of the molded object.

[0003] JP 2022-65881 A

[0004] In the conventional additive manufacturing system described above, the object manufactured by the additive manufacturing device is subsequently discharged (transported) from the manufacturing chamber to an external space. If dust adheres to the object discharged to the external space, there is a risk that the dust will scatter into the external space.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and one of its objects is to provide a technology that can prevent dust adhering to a molded object from scattering into external space.

[0006] (Aspect 1) To achieve the above object, an additive manufacturing system according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a manufacturing chamber in which an additive manufacturing device configured to manufacture a molded object is disposed; a suction chamber connected to the manufacturing chamber, the suction chamber having disposed therein a suction device configured to perform a suction process of sucking in dust adhering to the molded object discharged from the manufacturing chamber and transported to the suction chamber; a suction chamber; a wetting chamber connected to the suction chamber, the wetting chamber having disposed therein a wetting device configured to perform a wetting process of wetting the molded object discharged from the suction chamber and transported to the wetting chamber with a liquid; the wetting chamber; the suction device; the wetting device; a first gate configured to open and close an outlet of the manufacturing chamber and an entrance to the suction chamber; a second gate configured to open and close an outlet of the suction chamber and an entrance to the wetting chamber; and a third gate configured to open and close the outlet of the wetting chamber, wherein the suction process is performed when the first gate and the second gate are closed, and the wetting process is performed when the second gate and the third gate are closed.

[0007] According to this aspect, dust adhering to the model discharged from the shaping chamber and transported to the suction chamber can be sucked up by the suction device in the suction chamber. Even if dust that was not completely sucked up by the suction device adheres to the model discharged from the suction chamber and transported to the humidity chamber, the dust can be moistened with liquid in the humidity chamber to prevent it from scattering. This prevents dust adhering to the model from scattering into the external space.

[0008] As a result, according to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the scattered dust from adversely affecting the health of the worker.

[0009] (Aspect 2) The above-described aspect 1 may further include a dolly configured to transport the model in the modeling chamber to the suction chamber.

[0010] (Aspect 3) In the aspect 1 or 2, the apparatus may further include a cart configured to transport the shaped object in the suction chamber to the moist chamber.

[0011] (Aspect 4) In any one of Aspects 1 to 3 above, the wetting chamber may be configured to include a grating floor, and the wetting treatment of wetting the object with a liquid may be performed on the grating floor.

[0012] (Aspect 5) The above aspect 4 may further include a recovery device configured to receive and recover liquid that has fallen downward from the grating floor.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an additive manufacturing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a gate of an additive manufacturing system according to an embodiment is open; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state inside a suction chamber according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state inside a wet chamber according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic top view for explaining a clean room according to an embodiment, specifically, a schematic illustrating the peripheral configuration of the clean room of an additive manufacturing system; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an additive manufacturing system according to a first modified example of an embodiment;

[0014] (Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are diagrammatic in order to facilitate understanding of the features, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not be the same as those in reality. In addition, the drawings also show X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinates as necessary. In these Cartesian coordinates, the Z direction corresponds to the upward direction, and the -Z direction corresponds to the downward direction (the direction in which gravity acts).

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an additive manufacturing system 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a gate, which will be described later, is in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a gate, which will be described later, in an open state. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the additive manufacturing system 1 includes a manufacturing chamber 10, a suction chamber 11, and a wet chamber 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the additive manufacturing system 1 may further include a buffer chamber 14.

[0016] The buffer chamber 14, the modeling chamber 10, the suction chamber 11, and the wet chamber 12 may be configured as buildings or booths arranged inside the buildings. Each chamber has a floor, a ceiling, and side walls connecting the floor and the ceiling.

[0017] 1 , the additive manufacturing system 1 may include a control device 100 configured to control the operation of the additive manufacturing system 1. In this case, the additive manufacturing system 1 may include sensors 110 configured to detect the state of the additive manufacturing system 1. Information detected by the sensors 110 is transmitted to the control device 100.

[0018] The control device 100 according to this embodiment includes a microcomputer, which includes a processor 101, a storage device 102 as a non-transitory storage medium, etc. In the control device 100, the processor 101 operates based on instructions from a program stored in the storage device 102, thereby controlling the operation of the additive manufacturing system 1.

[0019] 1, the additive manufacturing system 1 is illustrated as including a single control device 100, but is not limited to this configuration. The additive manufacturing system 1 may include a control device 100 for each device (controlled device) controlled by the control device 100 (in this case, the additive manufacturing system 1 would include multiple control devices 100).

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 , an additive manufacturing apparatus 30 is disposed inside the manufacturing chamber 10. The additive manufacturing apparatus 30 is an apparatus configured to manufacture a molded object. Specifically, the additive manufacturing apparatus 30 according to this embodiment is configured to manufacture a molded object by layering materials. The additive manufacturing apparatus 30 is generally an apparatus that is sometimes referred to as an "additive manufacturing apparatus (AM apparatus)."

[0021] The additive manufacturing apparatus 30 according to this embodiment is configured to supply a material (modeling material) made of powder such as resin or metal to a predetermined modeling area (modeling table) and to melt the supplied powder by irradiating it with a beam. A three-dimensional model is manufactured by solidifying the molten powder. As such an additive manufacturing apparatus 30, a known apparatus such as that exemplified in Patent Document 1 can be used. Therefore, further detailed description of the additive manufacturing apparatus 30 will be omitted.

[0022] The size of the object manufactured by the additive manufacturing device 30 is not particularly limited. As an example, the object according to this embodiment has a volume of 1 m ３ These are all "large sculptures."

[0023] The buffer chamber 14 is connected to the manufacturing chamber 10. The buffer chamber 14 is configured so that material supply work and various preparatory work can be performed therein. Note that the configurations of the buffer chamber 14 and the manufacturing chamber 10 themselves are similar to those of known additive manufacturing systems such as those exemplified in Patent Document 1, and therefore further detailed description will be omitted.

[0024] The suction chamber 11 is in communication with the manufacturing chamber 10. A suction device 80 is disposed inside the suction chamber 11. This suction device 80 is configured to perform a "suction process" to suck up dust adhering to a model that has been discharged from the manufacturing chamber 10 and transported to the suction chamber 11. This dust specifically includes "powder" used in manufacturing the model. The additive manufacturing system 1 also includes this suction device 80 as one of its components.

[0025] The wetting chamber 12 is in communication with the suction chamber 11. A wetting device 40 is disposed inside the wetting chamber 12. The wetting device 40 is configured to perform a "wetting process" in which the shaped object discharged from the suction chamber 11 and transported to the wetting chamber 12 is wetted with a liquid. The additive manufacturing system 1 also includes the wetting device 40 as one of its components.

[0026] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the additive manufacturing system 1 includes a plurality of gates (gates 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d).

[0027] Specifically, the gate 20a is an opening / closing door that opens and closes the entrance 22a of the buffer chamber 14. The gate 20b is an opening / closing door that opens and closes the exit 24a of the buffer chamber 14 and the entrance 22b of the modeling chamber 10 (i.e., the entrance and exit between the buffer chamber 14 and the modeling chamber 10). The gate 20c is an opening / closing door that opens and closes the exit 24b of the modeling chamber 10 and the entrance 22c of the suction chamber 11 (i.e., the entrance and exit between the modeling chamber 10 and the suction chamber 11). The gate 20d is an opening / closing door that opens and closes the exit 24c of the suction chamber 11 and the entrance 22d of the moistening chamber 12 (i.e., the entrance and exit between the suction chamber 11 and the moistening chamber 12). The gate 20e is an opening / closing door that opens and closes the exit 24d of the moistening chamber 12.

[0028] Gate 20c is an example of a "first gate," gate 20d is an example of a "second gate," and gate 20e is an example of a "third gate." Gate 20b is an example of a "fourth gate," and gate 20a is an example of a "fifth gate."

[0029] 1 and 2 illustrate the gate as moving up and down when opening and closing, but the direction of movement of the gate is not limited to this. For example, the gate may be configured to move horizontally.

[0030] In this embodiment, these gates are configured to automatically open and close in response to instructions from the control device 100, for example. Each gate is controlled by the control device 100 so that it automatically opens when an object (for example, a dolly 50, described below) approaches the gate and automatically closes when the object moves away from the gate. In this case, the sensors 110 include a sensor that detects when an object approaches the gate and a sensor that detects when the object moves away from the gate. The control device 100 controls the opening and closing operation of the gate based on the output of this sensor.

[0031] When manufacturing a molded object ("manufacturing process") by the additive manufacturing device 30 in the manufacturing chamber 10, the manufacturing of the molded object is performed with at least gate 20b and gate 20c closed. In this case, the other gates may be open or closed. Then, with at least gate 20b and gate 20d closed and gate 20c open, the molded object manufactured in the manufacturing chamber 10 is transported to the suction chamber 11 through the outlet 24b and the inlet 22c.

[0032] The suction process in the suction chamber 11 is performed with at least the gates 20c and 20d closed. In this case, the other gates may be open or closed. Then, with at least the gates 20c and 20e closed and the gate 20d open, the shaped object in the suction chamber 11 is transported to the moist chamber 12 through the outlet 24c and the inlet 22d.

[0033] The wetting process in the wetting chamber 12 is performed with at least the gates 20d and 20e closed. In this case, the other gates may be open or closed. The shaped object in the wetting chamber 12 is discharged (transported) from the outlet 24d of the wetting chamber 12 with at least the gate 20d closed and the gate 20e open.

[0034] Furthermore, when an object is transported to the buffer chamber 14, at least gate 20b is closed, gate 20a is opened, and the object is transported from entrance 22a to the buffer chamber 14. Furthermore, it is preferable that work is performed inside the buffer chamber 14 with at least gates 20a and 20b closed. Furthermore, when an object is transported from the buffer chamber 14 to the manufacturing chamber 10, it is preferable that at least gates 20a and 20c are closed, and gate 20b is opened, and the object is transported from the buffer chamber 14 to the manufacturing chamber 10.

[0035] 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state inside the suction chamber 11. Note that the gate is not shown in FIG. 3. The suction device 80 according to this embodiment performs suction processing inside the suction chamber 11.

[0036] Here, the additive manufacturing system 1 may include a carriage 50 for transporting the object. The carriage 50 according to this embodiment is a so-called automated transport carriage, which receives instructions from the control device 100 and automatically transports the object (OB) from the manufacturing chamber 10 to the suction chamber 11. Furthermore, the carriage 50 automatically transports the object from the suction chamber 11 to the moist chamber 12. With this configuration, the object can be transported from the manufacturing chamber 10 to the suction chamber 11 and from the suction chamber 11 to the moist chamber 12 without the manual intervention of an operator.

[0037] In addition, the cart 50 that transports the molded object from the molding chamber 10 to the suction chamber 11 and the cart 50 that transports the molded object from the suction chamber 11 to the wet chamber 12 may be the same cart or different carts.

[0038] From the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts in the additive manufacturing system 1, it is preferable to use a single carriage 50 to transport the model from the manufacturing chamber 10 to the suction chamber 11 and the moist chamber 12. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of preventing dust adhering to the carriage 50 in the suction chamber 11 from entering the moist chamber 12 as much as possible, it is preferable that the carriage 50 that transports the model from the manufacturing chamber 10 to the suction chamber 11 and the carriage 50 that transports the model from the suction chamber 11 to the moist chamber 12 are different from each other.

[0039] If the cart 50 transporting the molded object from the molding chamber 10 to the suction chamber 11 (i.e., the cart 50 for the suction chamber) and the cart 50 transporting the molded object from the suction chamber 11 to the moist chamber 12 (i.e., the cart 50 for the moist chamber) are different from each other, as illustrated in Figure 3, a transport device 90 may be arranged inside the suction chamber 11 for transferring the molded object placed on the cart 50 for the suction chamber to the cart 50 for the moist chamber.

[0040] The transfer device 90 may be, for example, a transfer robot having a robot hand 91 for gripping the object and a robot arm 92 for moving the robot hand 91. With this configuration, the object can be transferred from the cart 50 for the suction chamber to the cart 50 for the wet chamber inside the suction chamber 11 using the transfer device 90 without the manual intervention of an operator.

[0041] The suction device 80 may be any device capable of sucking dust, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited. For example, a device having a configuration similar to that of an "electric vacuum cleaner" may be used. Specifically, the suction device 80 according to this embodiment includes, as an example, a suction nozzle 81. The suction nozzle 81 communicates with a dust box (not shown) via a hose (not shown). Dust sucked by the suction nozzle 81 passes through the hose and is collected in the dust box. The dust box may be disposed inside or outside the suction chamber 11.

[0042] The suction device 80 may automatically start the suction process in response to an instruction from the control device 100. As an example, the suction device 80 automatically starts suction by the suction nozzle 81 when the cart 50 transporting the model is positioned at a predetermined position. Then, the suction device 80 automatically ends the suction process when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the suction process, for example.

[0043] The additive manufacturing system 1 may also include a moving device 82 for moving the suction device 80, specifically the suction nozzle 81. This moving device 82 may include, for example, a robot hand 83 that holds the suction nozzle 81 and a robot arm 84 that moves the robot hand 83. In this case, dust can be sucked while the suction nozzle 81 is moved. However, this configuration is not limited, and the suction nozzle 81 may be fixed at a predetermined location without moving. The additive manufacturing system 1 may also include multiple suction devices 80 (in other words, multiple suction nozzles 81). The operation of the moving device 82 may be controlled by the control device 100.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the suction process may be performed in the suction chamber 11 with the shaped object placed on a carriage 50 .

[0045] 3, the carriage 50 may be equipped with a mounting table 51 and a rotation device 52. The mounting table 51 is a table on which a molded object is placed. The rotation device 52 is configured to rotate the mounting table 51.

[0046] Although the specific configuration of the rotation device 52 is not particularly limited, as an example, the rotation device 52 according to this embodiment includes a rotation shaft 53 connected to the mounting table 51 and a motor 54 that rotates the rotation shaft 53. The operation of the rotation device 52 is controlled by, for example, the control device 100.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the object may be placed on a mounting table 51, and the mounting table 51 may be rotated by a rotation device 52, and then dust adhering to the object may be sucked up by a suction device 80.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the interior of the moistening chamber 12. Note that a gate is not shown in Fig. 4. The moistening device 40 according to this embodiment performs a moistening treatment inside the moistening chamber 12. As described above, in this moistening treatment, the moistening device 40 moistens the object (OB) with a liquid (CL). Note that "wetting the object with a liquid" means that the surface of the object (specifically, dust adhering to the surface) is moistened; it is not necessary for the surface of the object to be completely wet.

[0049] Although the specific configuration of the wetting device 40 as described above is not particularly limited, the wetting device 40 according to the present embodiment includes, as an example, a spraying device 41 configured to spray a liquid onto the shaped object. The additive manufacturing system 1 may include one or more spraying devices 41. As an example, the number of spraying devices 41 according to the present embodiment is multiple.

[0050] The spraying device 41 according to this embodiment sprays the liquid onto the object in a spray-like manner, for example. The spraying devices 41 spray the liquid so that the entire object is wet with the liquid.

[0051] The specific type of the liquid (CL) is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, water is used as an example of the liquid.

[0052] The wetting device 40 may automatically start the wetting treatment in response to an instruction from the control device 100. As an example, the wetting device 40 automatically starts the spraying of liquid by the spraying device 41 when the cart 50 transporting the model is positioned at a predetermined position. Then, the wetting device 40 automatically ends the wetting treatment when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the wetting treatment, for example.

[0053] 4, the shaped object may be placed on a carriage 50 in the moistening chamber 12, and then wetted with a liquid by the moistening device 40. In this case, the shaped object may be placed on a mounting table 51 in the moistening chamber 12, and then wetted with a liquid by the moistening device 40 while the mounting table 51 is rotated by a rotation device 52. This configuration makes it easy to wet the entire shaped object.

[0054] After the wetting process in the wet chamber 12 is completed, the shaped object is discharged from the wet chamber 12 to the external space (SP) by the cart 50. The external space (SP) refers to the space outside each chamber (in other words, it can also be called the outdoor space).

[0055] The moist chamber 12 may also be provided with an exhaust device 60 configured to exhaust air from the moist chamber 12 to the external space (SP). This configuration allows the interior of the moist chamber 12 to be under negative pressure. This makes it possible to minimize leakage of dust to the outside of the moist chamber 12 during moistening treatment. The exhaust device 60 may also be provided in the suction chamber 11 described above.

[0056] According to the present embodiment as described above, dust adhering to a model that has been discharged from the shaping chamber 10 and transported to the suction chamber 11 can be sucked up by the suction device 80 of the suction chamber 11. Even if dust that has not been sucked up by the suction device 80 adheres to a model that has been discharged from the suction chamber 11 and transported to the moistening chamber 12, the dust can be moistened with liquid in the moistening chamber 12 to prevent it from scattering (i.e., the dust can be rendered harmless). This makes it possible to prevent dust adhering to the model from scattering into the external space (SP).

[0057] As a result, it is possible to prevent the scattered dust from adversely affecting the health of workers. Specifically, it is possible to prevent the worker who is exposed to the scattered dust from inhaling the dust from adversely affecting the health of the worker.

[0058] When the dust adhering to the model is wetted with liquid, the fine dust particles aggregate and form clumps (i.e., "lumps"). Therefore, even if the dust that has been wetted with liquid and solidified subsequently dries, the clumped dust is less likely to scatter, and therefore the dust is prevented from scattering into the atmosphere.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the suction process in the suction chamber 11 is performed by the suction device 80, and the wetting process in the wetting chamber 12 is performed by the wetting device 40, so that workers are prevented from being exposed to dust dispersed in the air during the suction process and the wetting process. In this respect, it is possible to effectively prevent the dispersed dust from adversely affecting the health of workers.

[0060] After the wetting process using the wetting device 40, the shaped object may be manually wetted with a liquid by an operator (i.e., "manual finishing wetting process" may be performed). This finishing wetting process may also be performed inside the wetting chamber 12. When an operator enters the wetting chamber 12, it is preferable that the operator wear protective clothing, etc., as necessary, to prevent dust, liquid, etc. from adhering to the operator.

[0061] Furthermore, a drying process for drying the wet-processed object may be performed inside the wet chamber 12. In this drying process, for example, the wet-processed object may be naturally dried, or the wet-processed object may be forcibly dried by blowing air onto the wet-processed object.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5 , the moist chamber 12 may be connected to a clean room 13, which is a room ensuring a predetermined air cleanliness level. In this case, a gate 20f configured to open and close an entrance (an entrance for workers) between the moist chamber 12 and the clean room 13 may be provided between the moist chamber 12 and the clean room 13. This gate 20f is normally closed. That is, the gate 20f is closed while the moistening treatment described above is being performed. The gate 20f is opened when a worker in the clean room 13 enters the moist chamber 12 or when a worker in the moist chamber 12 enters the clean room 13. An air shower room configured to allow workers to take a shower of clean air may be provided at the entrance to the moist chamber 12 in the clean room 13.

[0063] By providing the additive manufacturing system 1 with the clean room 13 in this way, even if dust adheres to a worker when manual wet finishing processing is performed, for example, the adhered dust can be removed in the clean room 13. This makes it possible to prevent the dust adhering to the worker from leaking into the external space (SP).

[0064] (Variation 1) The additive manufacturing system 1 according to the embodiment described above may include a grating floor 16 and a recovery device 70 as described below. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the additive manufacturing system 1 according to this variation, and specifically illustrates a schematic example of the peripheral configuration of the grating floor 16 and recovery device 70 of the additive manufacturing system 1.

[0065] The grating floor 16 is a floor having a structure in which metal members such as stainless steel are arranged in a grid pattern. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the floor of the moist chamber 12 according to this modified example is, as an example, entirely made of the grating floor 16. However, this configuration is not limited thereto, and only a portion of the floor of the moist chamber 12 may be made of the grating floor 16.

[0066] The wetting process is performed on the grating floor 16. Specifically, the above-mentioned cart 50 (cart 50 on which the object is placed) is positioned on the grating floor 16, and the object is wetted with the liquid (CL).

[0067] In this way, by providing the wetting chamber 12 with the grating floor 16, the liquid discharged from the wetting device 40 that has fallen from the model or that has not adhered to the model can pass through the grating floor 16 and fall below the grating floor 16. This makes it easy to maintain the interior of the wetting chamber 12 in a clean state.

[0068] The recovery device 70 is configured to receive and recover the liquid that has fallen downward from the grating floor 16. Specifically, the recovery device 70 according to this modification includes a receiving container 71, a communication passage 72, a tank 73, a drainage pump 76, and a drainage passage 77.

[0069] The receiving container 71 is disposed below the grating floor 16 and is configured to receive liquid that falls from the grating floor 16. In this modification, the bottom surface 71a of the receiving container 71 is an "inclined surface" that slopes downward as it moves in a predetermined direction (the Y direction in FIG. 6). This allows the liquid to easily move along the bottom surface 71a of the receiving container 71. As a result, it is possible to prevent a large amount of solid components, such as powder, contained in the liquid from accumulating on the bottom surface 71a of the receiving container 71.

[0070] A drain outlet 71b is provided at the downstream end of the bottom surface 71a of the receiving vessel 71. The liquid received by the receiving vessel 71 flows along the bottom surface 71a and is discharged from the drain outlet 71b.

[0071] The communication passage 72 is configured to communicate between the receiving container 71 and the tank 73, and more specifically, is configured to communicate between the drain outlet 71b and the tank 73. The liquid that has passed through the drain outlet 71b passes through the communication passage 72 and flows into the tank 73. Note that the tank 73 in this modified example is located entirely below the receiving container 71. The tank 73 may be provided, for example, in the basement of a work room adjacent to the moist chamber 12.

[0072] The tank 73 is configured to temporarily store the liquid discharged from the receiving container 71. Specifically, the interior of the tank 73 according to this modification is partitioned into a first tank 74a, a second tank 74b, and a third tank 74c by a plurality of partition walls (partition wall 75a, partition wall 75b). Specifically, the partition wall 75a separates the first tank 74a from the second tank 74b, and the partition wall 75b separates the second tank 74b from the third tank 74c.

[0073] The liquid that has passed through the communication passage 72 first flows into the first tank 74a. In the first tank 74a, dust contained in the liquid (specifically, dust containing powder such as metal powder) accumulates at the bottom of the first tank 74a as precipitate (PR). This allows the dust contained in the liquid to be removed.

[0074] The liquid in the first tank 74a (liquid from which sediment has been removed) can flow over the upper end of the partition wall 75a into the second tank 74b. In the second tank 74b, fumes and other substances contained in the liquid float on the liquid surface and become suspended solids (FL). This allows the fumes and other substances to be removed from the liquid.

[0075] The liquid in the second tank 74b (liquid from which suspended matter has been removed) can pass through the space between the lower end of the partition wall 75b and the bottom surface of the tank 73 and flow into the third tank 74c.

[0076] In this way, the tank 73 according to this modified example is configured so that the liquid flowing into the tank 73 moves through the first tank 74a, the second tank 74b, and the third tank 74c in this order, and is configured so that impurities (dust, fumes, etc.) contained in the liquid can be removed by the liquid moving through these tanks.

[0077] The liquid that flows into the third tank 74c is pumped by the drain pump 76, passes through the drain passage 77, and is discharged outside the additive manufacturing system 1.

[0078] As described above, according to this modification, since the recovery device 70 is provided, it is possible to recover the liquid that has fallen from the grating floor 16. It is also possible to remove impurities contained in the recovered liquid.

[0079] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

[0080] 1: Additive manufacturing system 10: Modeling chamber 11: Suction chamber 12: Wetting chamber 16: Grating floor 20c: Gate (first gate) 20d: Gate (second gate) 20e: Gate (third gate) 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d: Entrance 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d: Exit 30: Additive manufacturing device 40: Wetting device 50: Cart 70: Recovery device 80: Suction device

Claims

1. An additive manufacturing system comprising: a manufacturing chamber in which an additive manufacturing device configured to manufacture a molded object is disposed; a suction chamber communicating with the manufacturing chamber, the suction chamber having disposed therein a suction device configured to perform a suction process to suck up dust adhering to the molded object discharged from the manufacturing chamber and transported to the suction chamber; a wetting chamber communicating with the suction chamber, the wetting chamber having disposed therein a wetting device configured to perform a wetting process to wet the molded object discharged from the suction chamber and transported to the wetting chamber with a liquid; the suction device; the wetting device; a first gate configured to open and close an outlet of the manufacturing chamber and an entrance to the suction chamber; a second gate configured to open and close an outlet of the suction chamber and an entrance to the wetting chamber; and a third gate configured to open and close the outlet of the wetting chamber, wherein the suction process is performed with the first gate and the second gate closed, and the wetting process is performed with the second gate and the third gate closed.

2. The additive manufacturing system of claim 1, comprising a carriage configured to transport the object from the building chamber to the suction chamber.

3. The additive manufacturing system of claim 1, comprising a carriage configured to transport the object from the suction chamber to the wet chamber.

4. The additive manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein the wet chamber has a grating floor and is configured so that the wetting process of wetting the object with a liquid is performed on the grating floor.

5. The additive manufacturing system of claim 4, further comprising a recovery device configured to receive and recover liquid that falls downward from the grating floor.

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