A system for fabricating a three dimensional article of manufacture in a layer-by-layer manner comprising: a build module including a vertically displaceable build platform for receiving layers of powder during the fabrication of the three dimensional article of manufacture, the build module having a lateral side; a powder storage module located at least partially below the build module, the powder storage module having a lateral side and defining an internal volume for holding powder and includes a powder outlet that receives powder from the internal volume; a powder tank; a powder transport conduit configured to receive powder from a lower end of the powder storage module and to transport the powder to the powder tank; a vertical powder transport module that is laterally offset from the lateral sides of the build module and the powder storage module and including a lower end for receiving powder from the powder tank and an upper end having a laterally extending outlet; a fixed hopper positioned above the build module, an upper portion of the hopper receiving powder from the laterally extending outlet of the vertical powder transport module, the hopper extending downwardly to a dispensing end, the dispensing end positioned above the build module proximate to the lateral side; and a powder coater that moves laterally across the build module for depositing layers of powder upon the build platform, the powder coater receives powder by positioning under the dispensing end of the fixed hopper; characterized in that the powder transport conduit is a sloping vibrating chute that slopes downwardly and laterally from the powder outlet to the powder tank; and wherein the system further comprises a vacuum chamber containing the build module, the storage module, sloping powder transport conduit, the vertical powder transport module, the fixed hopper, and the powder coater. a build module including a vertically displaceable build platform for receiving layers of powder during the fabrication of the three dimensional article of manufacture, the build module having a lateral side; a powder storage module located at least partially below the build module, the powder storage module having a lateral side and defining an internal volume for holding powder and includes a powder outlet that receives powder from the internal volume; a powder tank; a powder transport conduit configured to receive powder from a lower end of the powder storage module and to transport the powder to the powder tank; a vertical powder transport module that is laterally offset from the lateral sides of the build module and the powder storage module and including a lower end for receiving powder from the powder tank and an upper end having a laterally extending outlet; a fixed hopper positioned above the build module, an upper portion of the hopper receiving powder from the laterally extending outlet of the vertical powder transport module, the hopper extending downwardly to a dispensing end, the dispensing end positioned above the build module proximate to the lateral side; and a powder coater that moves laterally across the build module for depositing layers of powder upon the build platform, the powder coater receives powder by positioning under the dispensing end of the fixed hopper; characterized in that the powder transport conduit is a sloping vibrating chute that slopes downwardly and laterally from the powder outlet to the powder tank; and wherein the system further comprises a vacuum chamber containing the build module, the storage module, sloping powder transport conduit, the vertical powder transport module, the fixed hopper, and the powder coater.