Patent Description:
In relation to a conventional processing machine, for example, <CIT> (PTL <NUM>) discloses an apparatus manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object by using a powder sintering lamination method. In the apparatus manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object, a supply nozzle is provided on a wall surface of a chamber. A local gas flow is formed in the chamber by supplying a gas from the supply nozzle. As a result, at least a part of fume generated by powder sintering lamination is discharged to outside of the chamber accompanying the local gas flow.

In addition to the above disclosure, <CIT> (PTL <NUM>), <CIT> (PTL <NUM>), <CIT> (PTL <NUM>), and <CIT> (PTL <NUM>) are documents disclosing conventional processing machines. PTL <NUM> describes an additive manufacturing equipment. PTL <NUM> describes a laminating and shaping apparatus. PTL <NUM> describes a composite machining apparatus. PTL <NUM> describes a method and a device for collecting scattering object in laser machine or plasma machine. PTL <NUM> describes an optical shaping device.

Examples of a method of performing additive manufacturing (AM) processing for a workpiece by a molten material include directed energy deposition (DED), selective laser melting (SLM), thermal spraying, and the like. Use of such methods generates particulates (fume) by the AM processing for the workpiece, and thus the particulates are required to be discharged from the processing area efficiently.

Meanwhile, in the apparatus manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object disclosed in PTL <NUM>, it is attempted to discharge fume by forming a local gas flow in the chamber and accompanying the fume with the gas flow. However, since the fume generated at a processing point of the powder sintering lamination is widely diffused in the chamber, it is difficult to efficiently discharge the fume by the local gas flow in the chamber.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problem, and to provide a processing machine capable of efficiently discharging particulates generated by additive manufacturing processing for a workpiece from a processing area.

A processing machine according to the present invention is a processing machine that performs additive manufacturing processing for a workpiece with a molten material. The processing machine includes a first cover having a first wall and a second wall that face each other in a horizontal direction and forming a processing area between the first wall and the second wall. The first wall is provided with a first opening allowing a gas to flow into the processing area. The processing machine further includes a flow generator that generates a gas flow flowing from below to upward along the second wall. The first cover is provided with a second opening allowing the gas to flow out from the processing area.

The processing machine configured as described above can generate a gas flow flowing from below to upward along the second wall (hereinafter, referred to as "flow") by the flow generator. As a result, a gas flow along the horizontal direction that the gas flowing into the processing area through the first opening flows from the first wall provided with the first opening toward the second wall through which the flow flows, and an upward gas flow that the gas flowing from the first wall toward the second wall flows from below to upward by being guided by the flow can be generated in the processing area. The particulates generated in the processing area due to the AM processing are carried by this gas flow and is discharged to outside through the second opening, and thus the particulates can be efficiently discharged.

The processing machine preferably further includes a second cover that forms an accommodation space and accommodates, in the accommodation space, a material powder supply device that supplies the material powder toward the processing area. The flow generator includes a first blower that supplies a gas from the accommodation space into the processing area, and a duct that feeds the gas supplied from the accommodation space into the processing area as a gas flow flowing from below to upward.

In the processing machine configured as described above, by operating the first blower, the particulates generated in the accommodation space can also be carried by the flow and discharged to outside. Therefore, the particulates can be discharged from both the processing area and the accommodation space with a simple configuration.

The processing machine preferably further includes a dust collector, a second blower that supplies a gas from the processing area to the dust collector through the second opening, and a control unit that controls the first blower and the second blower. The control unit operates the first blower and the second blower while the AM processing for the workpiece is performed, and operates the first blower and stops the second blower while the additional manufacturing processing for the workpiece is not performed and the material powder is refilled to the material powder supply device.

In the processing machine configured as described above, the first blower and the second blower are selectively operated in accordance with timing at which particulates are generated in each of the processing area and the accommodation space. This makes it possible to discharge the particulates from the processing area and the accommodation space while suppressing energy consumption in the blower.

The first cover preferably further includes a ceiling. The second opening is provided in the ceiling.

In the processing machine configured as described above, since the ceiling is located ahead of the flow flowing from below to upward, the particulates can be more efficiently discharged to outside through the second opening.

The flow generator preferably includes a duct having an outlet and feeding a gas into the processing area through the outlet. The outlet is provided at a position as high as the first opening or at a position lower than the first opening.

The processing machine configured as described above can allow the gas flowing from the first wall toward the second wall to collide with the flow more reliably. This facilitates generation of an upward gas flow flowing from below to upward, and thus the particulates can be more efficiently discharged to outside.

The processing machine preferably further includes a rectifying mechanism that is provided with the first opening and changes a gas flowing into the processing area into a gas flow along the horizontal direction.

In the processing machine configured as described above, since the gas flowing into the processing area through the first opening easily reaches the flow, the particulates can be more efficiently discharged to outside.

As described above, in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide the processing machine capable of efficiently discharging particulates generated by the AM processing for a workpiece from the processing area.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference signs.

<FIG> is a front view of a processing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates an inner side of the processing machine in transparent view of a front surface of a cover having appearance of the processing machine.

Referring to <FIG>, a processing machine <NUM> is a processing machine capable of performing additive manufacturing (AM) processing for a workpiece with a molten material. The AM processing refers to a processing method of creating a three-dimensional shape on a workpiece by attaching a material, and a mass of the workpiece increases after the AM processing as compared with before the AM processing.

Processing machine <NUM> is a numerical control (NC) processing machine in which various operations for workpiece processing are automated by numerical control by a computer.

Processing machine <NUM> may be a processing machine capable of only the AM processing for a workpiece, or may be an AM/SM hybrid processing machine capable of the AM processing for a workpiece and subtractive manufacturing (SM) processing for a workpiece.

Processing machine <NUM> includes a first cover <NUM>, a processing head <NUM>, and a workpiece moving stage <NUM>.

First cover <NUM> forms a processing area <NUM> for performing the AM processing on a workpiece W.

Processing head <NUM> is provided in processing area <NUM>. A laser beam and a material powder are introduced into processing head <NUM>. Processing head <NUM> includes a nozzle for discharging the material powder and a laser beam irradiation device for irradiating workpiece W with the laser beam (not illustrated). Processing head <NUM> performs the AM processing on workpiece W by discharging the material powder and irradiating workpiece W with the laser light (directed energy deposition (DED)).

Workpiece moving stage <NUM> is provided in processing area <NUM>. Workpiece moving stage <NUM> faces processing head <NUM> in a Z-axis direction parallel to a vertical direction. Workpiece moving stage <NUM> is provided below processing head <NUM>. Workpiece moving stage <NUM> has a placement surface 12a. Placement surface 12a is formed of a plane (referred to as an "X-axis-Y-axis plane") including an X-axis parallel to a horizontal direction and a Y-axis parallel to the horizontal direction and orthogonal to the X-axis. Workpiece W is placed on placement surface 12a. Workpiece moving stage <NUM> is configured to be able to hold workpiece W placed on placement surface 12a.

Workpiece moving stage <NUM> moves workpiece W in the X-axis-Y-axis plane by various feeding mechanisms, guide mechanisms, a servomotor, and the like. By moving workpiece moving stage <NUM>, a processing point of the AM processing on workpiece W can be moved.

In a configuration where processing head <NUM> irradiating workpiece W with the laser light and supplying the material powder, and workpiece moving stage <NUM> holding workpiece W are mutually moved, the processing point of the AM processing on workpiece W can be moved. For example, processing head <NUM> may move in air in processing area <NUM>, or this configuration may be combined with workpiece moving stage <NUM>.

Processing machine <NUM> further includes a second cover <NUM> and a material powder supply device <NUM>.

Second cover <NUM> is provided side by side with first cover <NUM>. Second cover <NUM> forms an accommodation space <NUM>. Processing area <NUM> and accommodation space <NUM> are arranged in an X-axis direction.

Material powder supply device <NUM> is accommodated in accommodation space <NUM>. Material powder supply device <NUM> supplies the material powder used for the AM processing toward processing head <NUM>. Material powder supply device <NUM> includes a material powder tank <NUM> and a mixer <NUM>. Material powder tank <NUM> has a tank shape and stores the material powder used for the AM processing. Mixer <NUM> is provided below material powder tank <NUM>. Mixer <NUM> is configured to be able to mix the material powder and carrier gas.

Material powder tank <NUM> is provided with a refill port (not illustrated) used for refilling the material powder into the tank. A height from a floor surface on which processing machine <NUM> is installed to the refill port may be, for example, greater than or equal to <NUM>, or greater than or equal to <NUM>.

In addition to material powder supply device <NUM>, a laser oscillator (not illustrated) that oscillates the laser beam used for the AM processing may be accommodated in accommodation space <NUM>.

First cover <NUM> includes a first wall <NUM>, a second wall <NUM>, and a ceiling <NUM>. First wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM> face each other in the X-axis direction. First wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM> are provided apart from each other in the X-axis direction. First wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM> have a flat plate shape parallel to a Y-axis-Z-axis plane. Processing area <NUM> is formed between first wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM>.

Ceiling <NUM> is provided at a top of processing area <NUM>. Ceiling <NUM> is connected to an upper end of first wall <NUM> and an upper end of second wall <NUM>.

As a typical example, first cover <NUM> further includes an openable and closable door (not illustrated). The door is provided on a front surface of first cover <NUM> on a front side (transparent in <FIG>) on the sheet illustrating <FIG>. The door is provided on the front surface of first cover <NUM>, different from first wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM>. The door is closed when processing head <NUM> is performing the AM processing on workpiece W, and the door is opened when a user needs to access processing area <NUM> to attach or detach workpiece W to or from workpiece moving stage <NUM>, or the like.

Second wall <NUM> is located between processing area <NUM> and accommodation space <NUM> in the X-axis direction. Processing area <NUM> and accommodation space <NUM> are separated by second wall <NUM>.

First wall <NUM> is provided with a first opening <NUM>. First opening <NUM> is an opening allowing air to flow into processing area <NUM>. First opening <NUM> is formed of a through hole penetrating first cover <NUM> (first wall <NUM>). Processing area <NUM> and an external space (for example, an indoor space such as a factory where processing machine <NUM> is installed) outside processing area <NUM> communicate with each other through first opening <NUM>.

First opening <NUM> is provided at a position above and away from the floor surface on which processing machine <NUM> is installed. First opening <NUM> is provided at a position higher than placement surface 12a of workpiece moving stage <NUM> in the Z-axis direction (corresponding to a case where placement surface 12a is at a position lower than a lower end of an opening surface of first opening <NUM>).

Without limited to the above configuration, first opening <NUM> may be provided at a position as high as placement surface 12a of workpiece moving stage <NUM> in the Z-axis direction (corresponding to a case where placement surface 12a is at a height between an upper end and the lower end of the opening surface of first opening <NUM>). First opening <NUM> may be provided at a position lower than placement surface 12a of workpiece moving stage <NUM> in the Z-axis direction (corresponding to a case where placement surface 12a is at a position higher than the upper end of the opening surface of first opening <NUM>).

First opening <NUM> may have another application (an application of discharging chips to outside of the machine, for example, in a case where processing machine <NUM> is an AM/SM hybrid processing machine) in addition to an application of allowing air to flow into processing area <NUM>.

First opening <NUM> may be provided with a blower allowing air to flow into processing area <NUM> forcibly.

First cover <NUM> is further provided with a second opening <NUM>. Second opening <NUM> is an opening allowing air to flow out from processing area <NUM>. Second opening <NUM> is formed of a through hole penetrating first cover <NUM>.

Second opening <NUM> is provided at a position higher than first opening <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. Second opening <NUM> is provided at a position higher than processing head <NUM> and workpiece moving stage <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. Second opening <NUM> is provided at a position apart from first wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM> in the X-axis direction. Second opening <NUM> is provided at a position closer to second wall <NUM> than first wall <NUM> in the X-axis direction (distance from second wall <NUM> to second opening <NUM> in the X-axis direction < distance from first wall <NUM> to second opening <NUM> in the X-axis direction).

Second opening <NUM> is provided in ceiling <NUM>. Second opening <NUM> is formed of a through hole penetrating ceiling <NUM>.

An opening area of second opening <NUM> may be larger than an opening area of first opening <NUM>, or may be smaller than or equal to the opening area of first opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a duct of a flow generator in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, processing machine <NUM> further includes a flow generator <NUM>. The flow generator <NUM> is provided in second wall <NUM>. The flow generator <NUM> generates an air flow flowing from below to upward along second wall <NUM> in processing area <NUM>.

The flow generator <NUM> includes a first blower <NUM> and a duct <NUM>. First blower <NUM> allows air to flow into processing area <NUM> while operating. First blower <NUM> is attached to second wall <NUM>. While operating, first blower <NUM> allows air to flow from accommodation space <NUM> into processing area <NUM>.

Duct <NUM> has a duct shape and forms a flow path through which air flows. Duct <NUM> is provided in processing area <NUM>. Duct <NUM> is attached to second wall <NUM>. Duct <NUM> feeds the air supplied from first blower <NUM> into processing area <NUM> as an air flow flowing from below to upward.

Duct <NUM> includes an inlet <NUM>, an upstream portion 42P, a reverse portion 42R, a downstream portion 42Q, and an outlet <NUM>. Inlet <NUM>, upstream portion 42P, reverse portion 42R, downstream portion 42Q, and outlet <NUM> are provided side by side in that order from an upstream side to a downstream side of the air flow in duct <NUM>.

Inlet <NUM> is open at one end of duct <NUM>. Inlet <NUM> is overlapped with an opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided in second wall <NUM>. Accommodation space <NUM> and a space in duct <NUM> communicate with each other through opening <NUM> and inlet <NUM>. First blower <NUM> is connected to inlet <NUM>.

Inlet <NUM> is provided at a position higher than outlet <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. Inlet <NUM> is provided at a position higher than first opening <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. Inlet <NUM> is provided at a position lower than second opening <NUM> in the Z-axis direction.

Upstream portion 42P extends in the Z-axis direction along second wall <NUM>. Upstream portion 42P extends downward from inlet <NUM>. Upstream portion 42P may have a tapered shape such that a flow path area of the air decreases downward. Reverse portion 42R is connected to a lower end of upstream portion 42P. Reverse portion 42R is provided so as to be reversed by <NUM>° from upstream portion 42P while being curved in a direction toward first wall <NUM> in the X-axis direction. Downstream portion 42Q is connected to an upper end of reverse portion 42R. Downstream portion 42Q extends upward from reverse portion 42R. A length of downstream portion 42Q in the Z-axis direction is smaller than a length of upstream portion 42P in the Z-axis direction.

Outlet <NUM> is open at the other end of duct <NUM>. Outlet <NUM> is provided at an upper end of downstream portion 42Q.

Outlet <NUM> is provided at a position lower than second opening <NUM>. An opening surface of outlet <NUM> faces an opening surface of second opening <NUM> in the Z-axis direction.

Outlet <NUM> may be provided at a position as high as first opening <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. This case corresponds to a case where the opening surface of outlet <NUM> is at a height between the upper end and the lower end of the opening surface of first opening <NUM> (in <FIG>, Ha ≤ h ≤ Hb). Outlet <NUM> may be provided at a position lower than first opening <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. This case corresponds to a case where the opening surface of outlet <NUM> is at a position lower than the lower end of the opening surface of first opening <NUM> (in <FIG>, h < Ha).

Outlet <NUM> is preferably provided at a position overlapping first opening <NUM> in a Y-axis direction.

The air supplied from first blower <NUM> flows into duct <NUM> through inlet <NUM>. The air flowing into duct <NUM> flows from above to below through upstream portion 42P. The air flow flowing from above to below is reversed to the air flow flowing from below to upward in reverse portion 42R. After flowing from below to above in downstream portion 42Q, the air is sent into processing area <NUM> as an air flow flowing from below to upward through outlet <NUM>.

Processing machine <NUM> further includes a dust collector <NUM>, a second blower <NUM>, and a dust collecting duct <NUM>.

Dust collector <NUM> is provided in the external space of processing area <NUM>. Dust collector <NUM> is connected to second opening <NUM> through dust collecting duct <NUM>.

While operating, second blower <NUM> supplies air from inside of processing area <NUM> to dust collector <NUM> through second opening <NUM>. Second blower <NUM> is incorporated in dust collector <NUM>. Second blower <NUM> may be provided in second opening <NUM> or may be provided on a path of dust collecting duct <NUM>.

Next, functions and effects provided by processing machine <NUM> according to the embodiment will be described.

At the processing point of workpiece W, the material powder changes into steam, the steam is cooled, and thus fume of fine particulate (for example, particles of less than or equal to <NUM>) is generated in processing area <NUM>. Further, when the material powder is refilled to material powder supply device <NUM> (material powder tank <NUM>), the material powder (for example, powder of about <NUM>) may fly in accommodation space <NUM>. These particulates are required to be efficiently discharged from inside of processing area <NUM> or inside of accommodation space <NUM> for health reasons of the user or the like.

Therefore, in processing machine <NUM> according to the embodiment, the fume generated in processing area <NUM> and the material powder flying in accommodation space <NUM> are collected in dust collector <NUM> through dust collecting duct <NUM>.

Here, the flow generator <NUM> generates an air flow flowing from below to upward along second wall <NUM> (an air flow indicated by an outlined arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) in processing area <NUM>. As a result, an air flow along the horizontal direction (an air flow indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) that the air flowing into processing area <NUM> through first opening <NUM> flows from first wall <NUM> provided with first opening <NUM> toward second wall <NUM> through which the flow (an air flow indicated by an arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) that the air flowing from first wall <NUM> toward second wall <NUM> flows from below to upward by being guided by the flow can be generated.

The fume generated at the processing point of workpiece W is collected near second wall <NUM> by the air flow along the horizontal direction from first wall <NUM> toward second wall <NUM>. The fume collected near second wall <NUM> is further discharged to outside of processing area <NUM> through second opening <NUM> by an upward air flow along second wall <NUM>. Therefore, the fume generated in processing area <NUM> due to the AM processing can be efficiently discharged to outside.

Second opening <NUM> is provided in ceiling <NUM>. In this configuration, the ceiling is located ahead of the upward air flow along second wall <NUM>, and thus the fume in processing area <NUM> can be more efficiently discharged through second opening <NUM>.

Further, in a case where outlet <NUM> is provided at a position as high as first opening <NUM> or at a position lower than first opening <NUM>, the air flow along the horizontal direction from first wall <NUM> toward second wall <NUM> can more reliably collide with the flow. As a result, an upward air flow along second wall <NUM> is likely to occur, and thus the fume in processing area <NUM> can be more efficiently discharged to outside.

The flow generator <NUM> generates the flow by allowing air to flow into processing area <NUM> from accommodation space <NUM> along with the operation of first blower <NUM>. Thus, the material powder flying in accommodation space <NUM> is also guided into processing area <NUM> through duct <NUM> and then discharged to outside by the flow fed from outlet <NUM>. As a result, not only the fume generated in processing area <NUM> but also the material powder flying in accommodation space <NUM> are discharged to outside by the flow generator <NUM>, and thus a particulate discharge mechanism in processing machine <NUM> can have a simple configuration.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the first opening in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the modification, processing machine <NUM> further includes a rectifying mechanism <NUM>. Rectifying mechanism <NUM> is provided with first opening <NUM>. Rectifying mechanism <NUM> changes the air flowing into processing area <NUM> into an air flow along the horizontal direction.

Rectifying mechanism <NUM> includes a block body <NUM>. Block body <NUM> is provided with a plurality of first openings <NUM>. The plurality of first openings <NUM> is arranged in the vertical direction. The first openings <NUM> extend in a slit shape along the Y-axis direction.

In this configuration, the air flowing into processing area <NUM> through first opening <NUM> easily reaches the flow along second wall <NUM>, and thus the particulates can be more efficiently discharged to outside.

<FIG> is a block diagram related to control of the first blower and the second blower. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, processing machine <NUM> further includes a control unit <NUM>. Control unit <NUM> is a control panel that is provided in processing machine <NUM> and controls various operations in processing machine <NUM>. Control unit <NUM> controls first blower <NUM> and second blower <NUM>.

Control unit <NUM> includes a blow controller <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, and a processing controller <NUM>. Blow controller <NUM> controls operations of first blower <NUM> and second blower <NUM>. Storage <NUM> stores a processing program (numerical control program) created by the user of processing machine <NUM>. Processing controller <NUM> executes the processing program stored in storage <NUM> in accordance with an instruction from the user.

Blow controller <NUM> determines whether the AM processing for the workpiece is performed on the basis of the processing program executed in processing controller <NUM>.

Material powder supply device <NUM> further includes a refill detector <NUM>. Refill detector <NUM> detects refilling of the material powder to material powder supply device <NUM> (material powder tank <NUM>). For example, refill detector <NUM> is provided at the refill port for the material powder in material powder tank <NUM>, and includes a sensor capable of detecting the material powder charged to the refill port.

An openable and closable lid member is provided in the refill port of material powder tank <NUM>. In this case, refill detector <NUM> may include a sensor capable of detecting that the lid member is opened.

Upon receipt of a signal from refill detector <NUM>, blow controller <NUM> determines whether material powder supply device <NUM> is refilled with the material powder.

Control unit <NUM> operates first blower <NUM> and second blower <NUM> while the AM processing for the workpiece is performed. Control unit <NUM> operates first blower <NUM> and second blower <NUM> regardless of whether the material powder is refilled to material powder supply device <NUM> while the AM processing for the workpiece is performed.

Control unit <NUM> operates first blower <NUM> and stops second blower <NUM> while the AM processing for the workpiece is not performed and the material powder is refilled to material powder supply device <NUM>.

While the AM processing for the workpiece is not performed and the material powder is refilled to material powder supply device <NUM>, only first blower <NUM> is operated to supply air from accommodation space <NUM> into processing area <NUM>, and thus the material powder flying in accommodation space <NUM> is fed into processing area <NUM>. When the AM processing for the workpiece is performed, the material powder flying in accommodation space <NUM> and the fume generated in processing area <NUM> are discharged to outside by operating both first blower <NUM> and second blower <NUM> discharge. This makes it possible to clean the atmosphere in accommodation space <NUM> and processing area <NUM> at an appropriate timing and suppress energy consumption in the blowers.

To summarize a structure of processing machine <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, processing machine <NUM> according to the embodiment is a processing machine that performs the AM processing for a workpiece with a molten material. Processing machine <NUM> includes first cover <NUM> having first wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM> that face each other in the horizontal direction and forming processing area <NUM> between first wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM>. First wall <NUM> is provided with first opening <NUM> allowing air as a gas to flow into processing area <NUM>. Processing machine <NUM> further includes a flow generator <NUM> that generates an air flow flowing from below to upward along second wall <NUM>. First cover <NUM> is provided with second opening <NUM> that allows air to flow out from processing area <NUM>.

Processing machine <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above can efficiently discharge particulates (fume) generated due to the AM processing for the workpiece from processing area <NUM>.

The AM processing performed by the processing machine of the present invention may adopt, for example, a directional energy deposition method in which a wire is fed to a workpiece instead of the material powder in the embodiment. The AM processing performed by the processing machine of the present invention may adopt a selective laser melting method or thermal spraying.

It should be understood that the embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description but by the claims.

The present invention is applied to a processing machine that performs additive manufacturing processing.

Claim 1:
A processing machine (<NUM>) suitable for performing additive manufacturing processing for a workpiece (W) with a molten material, the processing machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a first cover (<NUM>) having a first wall (<NUM>) and a second wall (<NUM>) that face each other in a horizontal direction and defining a processing area (<NUM>) between the first wall (<NUM>) and the second wall (<NUM>),
the first wall (<NUM>) being provided with a first opening (<NUM>) allowing a gas to flow into the processing area (<NUM>),
the processing machine (<NUM>) further comprising a flow generator (<NUM>) configured to generate a gas flow flowing from below to upward along the second wall (<NUM>),
the first cover (<NUM>) being provided with a second opening (<NUM>) allowing the gas to flow out from the processing area (<NUM>),
the processing machine (<NUM>) further comprising a second cover (<NUM>) defining an accommodation space (<NUM>) and accommodating, in the accommodation space (<NUM>), a material powder supply device (<NUM>) configured to supply a powder material toward the processing area (<NUM>),
the flow generator (<NUM>) including:
a first blower (<NUM>) configured to supply a gas from the accommodation space (<NUM>) into the processing area (<NUM>); and
a duct (<NUM>) configured to feed the gas supplied from the accommodation space (<NUM>) into the processing area (<NUM>) as a gas flow flowing from below to upward,
the processing area (<NUM>) and the accommodation space (<NUM>) being separated by the second wall (<NUM>),
the second wall (<NUM>) being provided with a third opening (<NUM>),
the duct (<NUM>) including an inlet (<NUM>) and an outlet (<NUM>), the inlet (<NUM>) being open at one end of the duct (<NUM>), the outlet (<NUM>) being open at the other end of the duct (<NUM>), and
the inlet (<NUM>) being overlapped with the third opening (<NUM>), an opening surface of the outlet (<NUM>) facing an opening surface of the second opening (<NUM>) in a vertical direction.