Flow directing system and method for additive manufacturing system

An additive manufacturing system, comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber;
• a build platform disposed in the chamber;
• a powder application device configured to translate relative to the build platform and deposit a bed of powder material on the build platform;
• an upper gas inlet disposed in a first side wall of the chamber above the build platform, wherein the upper gas inlet is configured to supply an upper gas flow in a first direction parallel to the build platform;
• a lower gas inlet in the chamber configured to supply a lower gas flow in a second direction toward the powder application device, wherein the powder application device comprises a flow directing element configured to receive the lower gas flow and redirect the lower gas flow in the first direction parallel to the build platform;
• one or more gas delivery devices fluidly coupled to the upper and lower gas inlets and configured to regulate one or more flow characteristics of the upper and lower gas flows;
• and
• a gas outlet disposed in a second side wall of the chamber, wherein the gas outlet is configured to discharge the upper and lower gas flows from the chamber.