Preferential heating of wax

A method for removing wax from a complexly shaped product or part, the product or part comprising a mixture of wax and structural parts, the method comprising:

• irradiating the product or part from above using an infra-red light source, the infra-red light source being selected such that the wax has a higher heat absorption than the structural parts;
• melting, using said irradiation, an exposed wax surface, thereby causing melted wax of said surface to run off the product;
• and
• sequentially exposing subsequent layers of wax as previous layers run off, and causing said subsequent layers to melt and run off, thereby ensuring the melting occurs layer by layer before heat due to said irradiation reaches an interior of the product.

A method of manufacturing an oven for removal of wax from green structure of a part or product, the method comprising:

• determining a wavelength or wavelength range at which said wax absorbs heat more strongly than said green structure;
• providing a light source that irradiates at said determined wavelength or wavelength range;
• providing a support structure for said product or part, to allow for placement of said product or part to be irradiated by said light source;
• providing said support structure with mobility to rotate or tip said product or part during said irradiation.