High power electron beams can concentrate great energy over a small area. Electrons emitted from a heated cathode in a vacuum can be focused magnetically or electrostatically and accelerated towards a target by a substantial voltage. The kinetic energy generated by such an electron gun is converted to useful heating effect when the high-speed electrons collide with the target to be heated. By controlling the power of the beam and its focused diameter at the point of impact, power densities of a very high order can be generated.The design considerations affecting the production of such intense beams of electrons are discussed and the advantages of this form of concentrated heating over conventional methods such as induction, radiant, resistance, arc or flame technique are enumerated. The variety of uses to which this form of heating, with its characteristics of precision and controllability, can be put, are outlined.A 5 kW. Electron Bombardment Furnace for the melting of metals, designed and built in this labortoray is described.