BAE Systems PLC
Sintering particulate material

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for selectively sintering particulate material, the method comprising: providing a layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a radiation absorbent material over a selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; providing an amount of a material that comprises a plurality of elongate elements (16) over at least part of the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material; and providing radiation (8) across the selected surface portion of the layer (6) of particulate material so as to sinter a portion of the material of the layer (6) including causing the plurality of elongate elements (16) to become embedded in the sintered portion of material.