Established methods of rapid prototyping by sintering polymeric powders have
predominantly focused on the use of lasers to selectively heat the polymeric particles
together to form fused layers. Although effective, this route requires the laser to draw in
the entire cross section of the slice and this limits the speed of the process, particularly for
the production of thick walled parts. The use of IR radiant lamps to fuse an entire layer
simultaneously has been explored by several groups and is now the basis of at least one
commercially available process (Speed Part). An alternative route, developed by the
Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing Group (RPMG) at DeMonfort University, where
areas of the powder bed are selectively treated to promote absorption by particular IR
radiation will be described in this paper. The advantages of this approach and the
limitations which must be overcome through further research will be fully discussed.Mechanical Engineerin
