Patent ID: 7048530

Claim:
A device for applying a thin layer of powder on support means ( 14 ) in a process for applying successive layers of a powder that are each several tens to several hundreds of microns thick, the device comprising: means ( 12 ) for storing said powder, means ( 16 ) for screeding said powder with a screed ( 30 ) comprising a shoe ( 36 ) with a working surface ( 50 ), means ( 28 ) for guiding said screed in translation along a direction of movement F, wherein the shoe ( 36 ) is movable in rotation and comprises means ( 32 , 34 ) for inclining the shoe to at least two positions, the first position in which the working surface ( 50 ) is parallel to the support means ( 14 ) for the layers for engaging a predetermined volume of powder and the second position in which this working surface ( 50 ) is inclined at an angle α relative to said support means, and wherein said shoe is arranged and adapted to move while in said first position from said means ( 12 ) for storing said powder to said support means ( 14 ) with a front surface of said shoe pushing said powder towards said support means and wherein said shoe is arranged and adapted to incline to said second position from said first position upon reaching said support means to apply a thin layer of said powder on said support means.