Patent ID: 7879393

Claim:
A process for applying a particle material to a assembly platform for the creation of a three dimensional rapid prototype, comprising the steps of: a. applying the particle material to the assembly platform, for the creation of a three dimensional rapid prototype by a layer by layer deposition method, in advance of a moving blade that is mounted on an end of an arm; b. moving the blade, the blade including: 1) a front edge and 2) a rear edge essentially aligned vertically with respect to the front edge, the edges facing a surface to be coated rounded by radii, wherein the moving blade creates a zone that includes: 1) a homogenization zone in front of the blade, 2) a compression zone between the front radius of the blade and the assembly platform, and 3) a smoothing zone between the front and rear radii of the blade and the assembly platform; c. vibrating the blade in an oscillating rotary motion about an axis in which the blade is rotatably mounted, wherein the vibration of the blade causing the particles to be fluidized and creating a roll of the particles in front of the blade, further wherein a proportion of the particle material is drawn through the compression zone during the movement over the assembly platform and during reversal of the blade providing an even layer of particle material on the assembly platform; d. passing the blade over the assembly platform; e. lowering the assembly platform; and f. repeating steps a-e until the three dimensional rapid prototype is complete.