Build material escapement assembly and additive manufacturing systems including same

An additive manufacturing system comprising:

• a supply platform for supplying build material to the additive manufacturing system;
• a build area for receiving the build material;
• a recoat assembly comprising:
• a base member movable in a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction;
• a build material spreading member coupled to the base member;
• and
• a build material escapement assembly comprising:
• a retaining plate for coupling the build material escapement assembly to the additive manufacturing system;
• a base having a plurality of ports, the base being disposed beneath the retaining plate;
• a diaphragm disposed around an outer perimeter of the base, the diaphragm being coupled to the base;
• a retractable plate disposed below the diaphragm;
• a top plate coupled to the retractable plate through the diaphragm;
• and
• a plurality of connectors coupled to the plurality of ports of the base;
• wherein the base, the diaphragm, the retractable plate, and the top plate define a cavity, and the top plate is movable between a retracted position by applying negative pressure to the cavity and an extended position by applying positive pressure to the cavity via the plurality of connectors.