A method of producing a metallic powder material, the method comprising: supplying feed materials to a melting hearth ; melting the feed materials in the melting hearth with a heat source , thereby producing a molten material ; passing at least a portion of the molten material from the melting hearth directly or indirectly to an atomizing hearth ; heating the molten material in the atomizing hearth with a second heat source ; passing at least a portion of the molten material from the atomizing hearth in a molten state through a transfer unit to an atomizing nozzle; and forming a droplet spray of the molten material with the atomizing nozzle, whereafter at least a portion of the droplet spray is solidified to provide a metallic powder material which is received by a collector ; and wherein the transfer unit is coupled to and is disconnectable from the atomizing hearth , the transfer unit comprising: an inlet adjacent the atomizing hearth and an outlet adjacent the atomizing nozzle; a melt container region receiving molten material from the atomizing hearth , wherein one or more electrically conductive coils positioned at the inlet is adapted to selectively heat material within the melt container region; and a passage comprising fluidly cooled walls communicating with the melt container region and the atomizing nozzle, wherein molten material passes from the melt container region to the atomizing nozzle through the passage , and wherein one or more electrically conductive coils is positioned at the outlet and is adapted to selectively heat material within the passage. supplying feed materials to a melting hearth ; melting the feed materials in the melting hearth with a heat source , thereby producing a molten material ; passing at least a portion of the molten material from the melting hearth directly or indirectly to an atomizing hearth ; heating the molten material in the atomizing hearth with a second heat source ; passing at least a portion of the molten material from the atomizing hearth in a molten state through a transfer unit to an atomizing nozzle; and forming a droplet spray of the molten material with the atomizing nozzle, whereafter at least a portion of the droplet spray is solidified to provide a metallic powder material which is received by a collector ; and wherein the transfer unit is coupled to and is disconnectable from the atomizing hearth , the transfer unit comprising: an inlet adjacent the atomizing hearth and an outlet adjacent the atomizing nozzle; a melt container region receiving molten material from the atomizing hearth , wherein one or more electrically conductive coils positioned at the inlet is adapted to selectively heat material within the melt container region; and a passage comprising fluidly cooled walls communicating with the melt container region and the atomizing nozzle, wherein molten material passes from the melt container region to the atomizing nozzle through the passage , and wherein one or more electrically conductive coils is positioned at the outlet and is adapted to selectively heat material within the passage. an inlet adjacent the atomizing hearth and an outlet adjacent the atomizing nozzle; a melt container region receiving molten material from the atomizing hearth , wherein one or more electrically conductive coils positioned at the inlet is adapted to selectively heat material within the melt container region; and a passage comprising fluidly cooled walls communicating with the melt container region and the atomizing nozzle, wherein molten material passes from the melt container region to the atomizing nozzle through the passage , and wherein one or more electrically conductive coils is positioned at the outlet and is adapted to selectively heat material within the passage. <EOS>