An apparatus for supplying a powder comprising: a powder reservoir ; a first sweep strip ; a second sweep strip ; and a powder distribution system comprising: an inlet for receiving powder from the powder reservoir; an outlet for supplying powder received from the inlet, the outlet being located between the first sweep strip and the second sweep strip ; a housing portion in fluid communication with the inlet ; a metering roller rotatable around an axis within the housing, the axis extending in a first direction; and a fluidizing portion vertically positioned beneath the inlet and the metering roller and vertically positioned above a powder bed , wherein the fluidizing portion includes an overflow portion adjacent to the outlet for supplying powder to the outlet, wherein: the metering roller is configured to convey powder from the inlet to the fluidizing portion; wherein the powder is supplied to the fluidizing portion by the metering roller , and the powder is fluidized in the fluidizing portion by a fluidizing gas; and the fluidized powder overflows from the overflow portion to the outlet between the first and second sweep strips. a powder reservoir ; a first sweep strip ; a second sweep strip ; and a powder distribution system comprising: an inlet for receiving powder from the powder reservoir; an outlet for supplying powder received from the inlet, the outlet being located between the first sweep strip and the second sweep strip ; a housing portion in fluid communication with the inlet ; a metering roller rotatable around an axis within the housing, the axis extending in a first direction; and a fluidizing portion vertically positioned beneath the inlet and the metering roller and vertically positioned above a powder bed , wherein the fluidizing portion includes an overflow portion adjacent to the outlet for supplying powder to the outlet, wherein: the metering roller is configured to convey powder from the inlet to the fluidizing portion; wherein the powder is supplied to the fluidizing portion by the metering roller , and the powder is fluidized in the fluidizing portion by a fluidizing gas; and the fluidized powder overflows from the overflow portion to the outlet between the first and second sweep strips. an inlet for receiving powder from the powder reservoir; an outlet for supplying powder received from the inlet, the outlet being located between the first sweep strip and the second sweep strip ; a housing portion in fluid communication with the inlet ; a metering roller rotatable around an axis within the housing, the axis extending in a first direction; and a fluidizing portion vertically positioned beneath the inlet and the metering roller and vertically positioned above a powder bed , wherein the fluidizing portion includes an overflow portion adjacent to the outlet for supplying powder to the outlet, wherein: the metering roller is configured to convey powder from the inlet to the fluidizing portion; wherein the powder is supplied to the fluidizing portion by the metering roller , and the powder is fluidized in the fluidizing portion by a fluidizing gas; and the fluidized powder overflows from the overflow portion to the outlet between the first and second sweep strips. the metering roller is configured to convey powder from the inlet to the fluidizing portion; wherein the powder is supplied to the fluidizing portion by the metering roller , and the powder is fluidized in the fluidizing portion by a fluidizing gas; and the fluidized powder overflows from the overflow portion to the outlet between the first and second sweep strips. <EOS>