The High Speed Sintering process is currently being developed by the Rapid Manufacturing Research group at Loughborough University by Dr Neil Hopkinson. The remit of the project was to develop a polymer sintering process which would have higher production rates than other SLS systems thus becoming suitable for larger batch production work. The concept of Additive Layer Production is one that is generating much interest from the manufacturing sector and will no doubt drive research forward.

The HSS system works by using print heads to print a specialy created radiations absorbing material onto the polymer powder bed. The area is then exposed to an infra-red energy source causing the area to heat up and sinter the powder.  Although still under development the process is displaying potential to become a production level sintering system of the future.