Powder feeding device

A powder feeding device configured to fill a saggar with powder by compressing the powder thereinto, the powder feeding device comprising:

• a pressing plate configured to compress the powder in the saggar;
• and
• a pressing mechanism configured to press the pressing plate toward the powder in the saggar,
• wherein
• the pressing plate comprises:
• a compression plate including a pressing surface that compresses the powder by contacting the powder;
• and
• a plurality of slit plates disposed on the pressing surface and extending downward from the pressing surface,
• the slit plates are arranged radially as the powder feeding device with the saggar placed therein is viewed from above,
• when the saggar is placed in the powder feeding device, distances between the slit plates and a sidewall of the saggar are substantially equal,
• when the saggar is placed in the powder feeding device, the distances between the slit plates and the sidewall of the saggar is 30 mm or less, and
• each of the slit plates comprises a chamfered or rounded taper having an angle of 20 degrees or more at a lower end thereof.