A powder application apparatus (10', 10") for use in a device for manufacturing work pieces by exposing powder layers to electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, comprising: - a first powder storage provided in a first part of the powder application apparatus (10', 10") and configured to receive and store raw material powder, - a first powder supply channel provided in a second part of the powder application apparatus (10', 10") and configured to discharge raw material powder from the first powder storage onto a carrier located below the apparatus (10', 10"), and - a first channel opening/closing element provided in the first powder supply channel and configured to be moved between a first position in which the first channel opening/closing element allows the discharge of raw material powder from the first powder storage onto the carrier, and a second position in which the first channel opening/closing element prevents the discharge of raw material powder from the first powder storage onto the carrier, wherein the first channel opening/closing element is configured to be moved between the first and the second position by means of an external mechanical force acting on the first channel opening/closing element, the external mechanical force being caused by abutting the first channel opening/closing element against a stopper (28a, 28b) of the device for manufacturing work pieces when moving the powder application apparatus (10', 10") over the carrier, wherein, in one of the first and the second position, the first channel opening/closing element projects from a side surface of a housing of the powder application apparatus (10', 10"), and wherein, in the other one of the first and the second position, the first channel opening/closing element does not project from the side surface of the housing of the powder application apparatus (10', 10"), or projects less or further from the side surface of the housing of the powder application apparatus (10', 10"). - a first powder storage provided in a first part of the powder application apparatus (10', 10") and configured to receive and store raw material powder, - a first powder supply channel provided in a second part of the powder application apparatus (10', 10") and configured to discharge raw material powder from the first powder storage onto a carrier located below the apparatus (10', 10"), and - a first channel opening/closing element provided in the first powder supply channel and configured to be moved between a first position in which the first channel opening/closing element allows the discharge of raw material powder from the first powder storage onto the carrier, and a second position in which the first channel opening/closing element prevents the discharge of raw material powder from the first powder storage onto the carrier, wherein the first channel opening/closing element is configured to be moved between the first and the second position by means of an external mechanical force acting on the first channel opening/closing element, the external mechanical force being caused by abutting the first channel opening/closing element against a stopper (28a, 28b) of the device for manufacturing work pieces when moving the powder application apparatus (10', 10") over the carrier, wherein, in one of the first and the second position, the first channel opening/closing element projects from a side surface of a housing of the powder application apparatus (10', 10"), and wherein, in the other one of the first and the second position, the first channel opening/closing element does not project from the side surface of the housing of the powder application apparatus (10', 10"), or projects less or further from the side surface of the housing of the powder application apparatus (10', 10").