Abstract: A powder reinforcing machine for the manufacture of stiffening or reinforcing articles applyable to shoe uppers or articles of clothing or the like, for reinforcing, stiffening or even decorating thereof. The machine utilizes an annular rotating belt supported over an arcuate array of heater segments, once the powder has been deposited on the belt by deposition means. The belt is intermittently advanced over the heating segments to sequentially fuse the powder thereon. The belt is drawn onto the heater segments by a vacuum system disposed within the heater segments, once the belt has stopped rotating. The belt is released from the heater segment surface by an air blast from the same conduits used by the vacuum system, once belt rotation is to begin again.