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 . <EOS>