distribution means with the mixture then being guided as a fiber stream into the clearance 7 via the forming outlet 4 within the forming zone 6 a continuously active suction flow is generated via the suction device 16 with the suction flow on the one hand collecting the fibers entering into the clearance 7 and on the other hand generating a secondary air flow from the surroundings on the inflow side 10 in the guiding of the fibers within the clearance 7 the fibers of the fiber stream in the region of the inflow side 10 run through a longer free section until being laid down on the laydown belt 8 by way of contrast the fibers on the opposing outflow side 11 are guided on a shorter free section thus the fibers guided in the region of the inflow side 10 receive a higher residence time in order to execute the transition from a vertically oriented movement to a horizontally oriented movement thus the fibers can be laid down by the influence of a secondary air flow on the inflow side with a slight pre orientation in material flow direction this turns out to be particularly advantageous in particular in the formation of a uniform fiber layer 23 depending on the fiber type and fiber mixtures it turns out that the distance s e on the inflow side 10 for formation.