An additive manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a support surface configured to support one or more build platforms thereon during a build process; whereby said support surface provides a planar work surface for one or more build platforms to rest thereon and includes a plurality of openings formed therein to provide a grated surface and permit unused powder to drop through the openings and into a collection chamber; at least one build platform positionable or positioned on said support surface; said at least one build platform is a plate-like structure that provides a planar build surface configured to receive powder and permit a directed energy source to form a containment wall and a part inside of the containment wall thereon; a powder dispenser disposed above the support surface, the powder dispenser configured to dispense powder, and movable laterally over the support surface; wherein the powder dispenser is carried by a first rail to permit the powder dispenser to traverse the support surface, wherein the first rail is carried by a support to permit vertical movement of the first rail relative to the support; a scraper moveable over the at least one build platform supported on the support surface and configured to scrape powder dispensed thereon by the powder dispenser, so as to provide a layer increment of powder above the at least one build platform, wherein the scraper is carried by a second rail to permit the scraper to traverse the support surface, wherein the second rail is carried by a support to permit vertical movement of the second rail relative to the support; and a directed energy source configured to melt and fuse the layer increment of powder in predetermined pattern. a support surface configured to support one or more build platforms thereon during a build process; whereby said support surface provides a planar work surface for one or more build platforms to rest thereon and includes a plurality of openings formed therein to provide a grated surface and permit unused powder to drop through the openings and into a collection chamber; at least one build platform positionable or positioned on said support surface; said at least one build platform is a plate-like structure that provides a planar build surface configured to receive powder and permit a directed energy source to form a containment wall and a part inside of the containment wall thereon; a powder dispenser disposed above the support surface, the powder dispenser configured to dispense powder, and movable laterally over the support surface; wherein the powder dispenser is carried by a first rail to permit the powder dispenser to traverse the support surface, wherein the first rail is carried by a support to permit vertical movement of the first rail relative to the support; a scraper moveable over the at least one build platform supported on the support surface and configured to scrape powder dispensed thereon by the powder dispenser, so as to provide a layer increment of powder above the at least one build platform, wherein the scraper is carried by a second rail to permit the scraper to traverse the support surface, wherein the second rail is carried by a support to permit vertical movement of the second rail relative to the support; and a directed energy source configured to melt and fuse the layer increment of powder in predetermined pattern.