an apparatus for heat staking utilizes an infrared lamp to direct radiant energy onto a plastic part to heat and so soften it prior to the staking punch impacting the part . the apparatus comprises an energy directing means for concentrating the infrared energy onto the part , and a moveable carriage for moving the punch toward and away from the part . one embodiment of the energy concentrating means is a reflector , wherein the reflector includes a central aperture for admission of the part , and wherein the reflector comprises different curved sections for concentrating the energy over the surface of the part . in an alternate embodiment , the energy directing means comprises fiber optic cables for directing the infrared energy to the surface of the part .