An additive manufacturing system comprising: a build plate having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis ; a powder spreading unit having a plurality of recoater blades configured to spread powder onto the build plate , at least one of the plurality of recoater blades extending at least partially along the lateral axis and being configured to move relative to the build plate along the longitudinal axis ; and at least one vibration mechanism coupled to one or more of the build plate and the at least one of the plurality of recoater blades , the at least one vibration mechanism being configured for vibratory compaction of the powder spread on the build plate , and including an array of vibration mechanisms coupled to the at least one of the plurality of recoater blades , extending at least in a direction of the lateral axis , or coupled to the build plate , extending along one or more of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis , wherein the plurality of recoater blades includes a first recoater blade and a second recoater blade , the first recoater blade having a first serration pattern on an end nearest the powder on the build plate , and the second recoater blade having a second serration pattern on an end nearest the powder on the build plate , wherein the first serration pattern and the second serration pattern is different from one another, wherein at least one serration of the first serration pattern is arranged at a first angle relative to a reference plane that extends normal from the build plate and at least one serration of the second serration pattern is arranged at a second angle relative to the reference plane , the first angle being different than the second angle, to move powder particles of the powder in a direction transverse to a travel direction of the powder spreading unit. a build plate having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis ; a powder spreading unit having a plurality of recoater blades configured to spread powder onto the build plate , at least one of the plurality of recoater blades extending at least partially along the lateral axis and being configured to move relative to the build plate along the longitudinal axis ; and at least one vibration mechanism coupled to one or more of the build plate and the at least one of the plurality of recoater blades , the at least one vibration mechanism being configured for vibratory compaction of the powder spread on the build plate , and including an array of vibration mechanisms coupled to the at least one of the plurality of recoater blades , extending at least in a direction of the lateral axis , or coupled to the build plate , extending along one or more of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis , wherein the plurality of recoater blades includes a first recoater blade and a second recoater blade , the first recoater blade having a first serration pattern on an end nearest the powder on the build plate , and the second recoater blade having a second serration pattern on an end nearest the powder on the build plate , wherein the first serration pattern and the second serration pattern is different from one another, wherein at least one serration of the first serration pattern is arranged at a first angle relative to a reference plane that extends normal from the build plate and at least one serration of the second serration pattern is arranged at a second angle relative to the reference plane , the first angle being different than the second angle, to move powder particles of the powder in a direction transverse to a travel direction of the powder spreading unit. <EOS>