Powder supply management system for laser forming device

A powder supply management system for a laser forming device, comprising:

• a hopper for discharging powder;
• a first powder dividing unit connected to the hopper and configured to divide the powder discharged from the hopper into a first portion and a second portion;
• and
• a discharge monitoring unit configured to calculate an amount of the second portion of the powder divided in the first powder dividing unit,
• wherein the first powder dividing unit includes:
• a plurality of first slitters disposed side-by-side to define a first passage space having a first inlet connected to the hopper and a first outlet;
• at least one second slitter laterally adjacent to the first slitters to define a second passage space having a second inlet connected to the hopper and a second outlet;
• a first slitter guide covering side surfaces of outermost ones of the first slitters and the second slitter;
• a first guide tube connected to the first outlet and configured to guide the first portion of the powder in the first passage space toward the laser forming device;
• and
• a second guide tube connected to the second outlet and configured to guide the second portion of the powder in the second passage space toward the discharge monitoring unit,
• wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are connected to each other such that the powder discharged from the hopper is able to enter both the first passage space and the second passage space, and
• wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are separated from each other in different discharge directions such that the first passage space and the second passage space are configured to guide the powder in different discharge directions.