Infrared radiation deflector for apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of three-dimensional objects

Abstract

An infrared radiation deflector () for an elongate infrared lamp (), the radiation deflector () comprising opposing first and second elongate side walls (__); at least one end support () connecting the ends of the side walls (__); an upper opening () and a lower opening () arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector (); and a mounting point () provided at the/each end support () for mounting the infrared lamp () and defining between them a lamp axis location (); wherein the first and second elongate side walls (__) comprise a first elongate mirror (_) and a second elongate mirror (_) extending parallel to the lamp axis location () and along at least a lower internal portion of the respective first and second side walls (__); wherein the lamp axis location () extends along and between the first mirror (_) and the second mirror (_), the first and second mirror (__) each having a concave surface with respect to the lamp axis location (); and wherein the first mirror (_) is an upward deflecting mirror and further arranged to be concave with respect to the upper opening () for redirecting at least a portion of direct lamp radiation through the upper opening ().