Abstract: When air is supplied by an air pressure regulation part to bellows 211 through 213 of finger joint motion facilitation parts 110j (where j=1, . . . , 5), the bellows 211 through 213 expand approximately in the shape of circular arcs, since annular grooves on the side of the bellows 211 through 213 opposing a joint are elastically restrained by elastic members 241 through 243. Due to this, the bellows 211 through 213 cooperate, and exert force in the rotational direction to flex the first through the third joints of a finger from their extended states. Next, when air is exhausted from the bellows by the air pressure regulation part, the bellows 211 through 213 contract. Due to this, the bellows 211 through 213 cooperate, and exert force in the rotational direction to extend the first through the third joints of a finger from their flexed states. The forces generated in this manner are transmitted to the joints by transmission members 231 through 234.

Abstract: A layered manufacturing method for forming a desired three-dimensional object by using a powder as a raw material. The method forms a desired solid body, which is employed in a layered manufacturing device, including a stage member having stage surface; a transparent member having an optical window to cover the stage surface to form an enclosed region together with the stage surface; and an exhaust system for exhausting gasses in the enclosed region. The optical window is positioned at a vertical upper direction when the enclosed region is formed.

Abstract: A layered manufacturing method for forming a desired three-dimensional object by using a powder as a raw material. The method forms a desired solid body, which is employed in a layered manufacturing device, including a stage member having stage surface; a transparent member having an optical window to cover the stage surface to form an enclosed region together with the stage surface; and an exhaust system for exhausting gasses in the enclosed region. The optical window is positioned at a vertical upper direction when the enclosed region is formed.

Abstract: When air is supplied by an air pressure regulation part to bellows 211 through 213 of finger joint motion facilitation parts 110j (where j=1, . . . , 5), the bellows 211 through 213 expand approximately in the shape of circular arcs, since annular grooves on the side of the bellows 211 through 213 opposing a joint are elastically restrained by elastic members 241 through 243. Due to this, the bellows 211 through 213 cooperate, and exert force in the rotational direction to flex the first through the third joints of a finger from their extended states. Next, when air is exhausted from the bellows by the air pressure regulation part, the bellows 211 through 213 contract. Due to this, the bellows 211 through 213 cooperate, and exert force in the rotational direction to extend the first through the third joints of a finger from their flexed states. The forces generated in this manner are transmitted to the joints by transmission members 231 through 234.

Abstract: After preparing a plurality of flat plate material members by compressing material powder, a region of an initial flat plate material member corresponding to a designed cross sectional shape is irradiated with irradiated light (laser light) L, to form an initial cross sectional element that is hardened after being melted. The surface of the initial cross sectional element is then leveled. Next, the next flat plate material member is arranged on the surface of an already manufactured section having a leveled one side surface. Irradiated light is then irradiated to a region of the new flat plate material member corresponding to the designed cross sectional shape at the layer position of the new flat plate material member, and a layer cross sectional member is formed by hardening after melting, and integrated with an already formed section. The surface of the layered cross sectional element is then leveled.