Patent ID: 7034246

Claim:
An apparatus for use with a selective laser sintering device, the device including a powder feed source with a first interior volume and a first feed piston slidably engaged with the source and being capable of movement between a first position toward a first end of the source and a second position toward a second end of the source, a powder to be moved from the first volume when the first feed piston moves in a direction from the first position toward the second position, the apparatus comprising: a spacer having a second interior volume and adapted to fit into the first volume; a second feed piston having a circumference and slidably engaged with the spacer and being capable of movement between a third position toward a first end of the spacer and a fourth position toward a second end of the spacer when the first feed piston moves between the first position and the second position, the powder to be moved from the second volume when the second feed piston moves in a direction from the third position to the fourth position; and a seal around the circumference.