Abstract: An imaging device includes an ejector head configured to eject a material, a platen having a first surface configured to receive material ejected by the ejector head and support an object formed with the ejected material, a vibrator configured to vibrate, and a controller operatively connected to the vibrator. The controller is configured to operate the vibrator to vibrate and loosen material adhering to the first surface of the platen to enable the object to be removed from the platen.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer automatically removes parts formed on a platen in the printer. The printer includes a platen having a surface and a planar member disposed upon the surface of the platen. The printer further includes an actuator configured to deform the planar member and an ejector head having at least one ejector configured to eject material onto the planar member. The printer further includes a controller operatively connected to the actuator and the ejector head. The controller is configured to operate the ejector head to eject material onto the planar member to form a three-dimensional object, and to operate the actuator to deform the planar member and release the three-dimensional object from the planar member.

Abstract: A method of operating a three-dimensional object printer has been developed. The method receives image data corresponding to at least one three-dimensional object. The method generates image data corresponding to at least one member that extends from the at least one three-dimensional object corresponding to the received image data. The method operates an ejector head of the three-dimensional object printer with a controller referencing the received image data and the generated image data to eject drops of a build material onto a platen to form the at least one three-dimensional object and the at least one member extending from the at least one three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object operates a platen configured to facilitate the release of objects produced by a three-dimensional object printer. The method includes moving a first plate and a second plate to form a platen, the first plate having a plurality of parallel members and the second plate having a plurality of parallel members, the first plate and the second plate being moved to interlock the plurality of parallel members of the first plate with the plurality of parallel members of the second plate to form the platen, at least one of the first plate and the second plate being independently movable. At least one of the first plate and second plate is moved to release a three-dimensional object formed by the printer from the platen.

Abstract: A printer is configured to clean material from rails on which a cart rolls. The printer includes an ejector head configured to eject a material in a print zone, a first cylindrical member extending through the print zone, an actuator operatively coupled to the first cylindrical member and configured to axially rotate the first cylindrical member, a platform configured to move in a process direction along a surface of the first cylindrical member and receive material ejected by the ejector head in the print zone, and a first cleaner positioned to engage the surface of the first cylindrical member as the first cylindrical member is rotated by the actuator to remove material accumulated on the surface of the first cylindrical member.

Abstract: A cart that helps eliminate contaminants from a printing system with a rail support track includes a platform, a first bearing, and a first blade. The first bearing is operatively connected to the platform, and is positioned and configured to roll along a first cylindrical rail of a rail support track of a printing system to enable the platform to move along the first cylindrical rail. The first blade has a leading edge oriented at an acute angle relative to a curved surface of the first cylindrical rail, and is configured to engage the curved surface to remove contaminant as the cart moves along the first cylindrical rail.

Abstract: A method of operating a three-dimensional object printer has been developed. The method receives image data corresponding to at least one three-dimensional object. The method generates image data corresponding to at least one member that extends from the at least one three-dimensional object corresponding to the received image data. The method operates an ejector head of the three-dimensional object printer with a controller referencing the received image data and the generated image data to eject drops of a build material onto a platen to form the at least one three-dimensional object and the at least one member extending from the at least one three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A cart that helps eliminate contaminants from a printing system with a rail support track includes a platform, a first bearing, and a first blade. The first bearing is operatively connected to the platform, and is positioned and configured to roll along a first cylindrical rail of a rail support track of a printing system to enable the platform to move along the first cylindrical rail. The first blade has a leading edge oriented at an acute angle relative to a curved surface of the first cylindrical rail, and is configured to engage the curved surface to remove contaminant as the cart moves along the first cylindrical rail.

Abstract: A printer is configured to clean material from rails on which a cart rolls. The printer includes an ejector head configured to eject a material in a print zone, a first cylindrical member extending through the print zone, an actuator operatively coupled to the first cylindrical member and configured to axially rotate the first cylindrical member, a platform configured to move in a process direction along a surface of the first cylindrical member and receive material ejected by the ejector head in the print zone, and a first cleaner positioned to engage the surface of the first cylindrical member as the first cylindrical member is rotated by the actuator to remove material accumulated on the surface of the first cylindrical member.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer automatically removes parts formed on a platen in the printer. The printer includes a platen having a surface and a planar member disposed upon the surface of the platen. The printer further includes an actuator configured to deform the planar member and an ejector head having at least one ejector configured to eject material onto the planar member. The printer further includes a controller operatively connected to the actuator and the ejector head. The controller is configured to operate the ejector head to eject material onto the planar member to form a three-dimensional object, and to operate the actuator to deform the planar member and release the three-dimensional object from the planar member.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an ejector head configured to eject a material, a platen having a first surface configured to receive material ejected by the ejector head and support an object formed with the ejected material, a vibrator configured to vibrate, and a controller operatively connected to the vibrator. The controller is configured to operate the vibrator to vibrate and loosen material adhering to the first surface of the platen to enable the object to be removed from the platen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object operates a platen configured to facilitate the release of objects produced by a three-dimensional object printer. The method includes moving a first plate and a second plate to form a platen, the first plate having a plurality of parallel members and the second plate having a plurality of parallel members, the first plate and the second plate being moved to interlock the plurality of parallel members of the first plate with the plurality of parallel members of the second plate to form the platen, at least one of the first plate and the second plate being independently movable. At least one of the first plate and second plate is moved to release a three-dimensional object formed by the printer from the platen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.

Abstract: A carrier bead collection assembly in a xerographic printer is disclosed. The carrier bead collection assembly may include a tray defining a cavity for retention of carrier beads, wherein the tray is located below a slot in a media transport surface in the xerographic printer and is removable so that it may be cleaned, and a magnet that is disposed beneath the tray, wherein the magnet attracts carrier beads that reside on the media transport surface such that as a result of the attraction, the carrier beads come to rest in the tray.

Abstract: A carrier bead collection assembly in a xerographic printer is disclosed. The carrier bead collection assembly may include a tray defining a cavity for retention of carrier beads, wherein the tray is located below a slot in a media transport surface in the xerographic printer and is removable so that is may be cleaned, and a magnet that is disposed beneath the tray, wherein the magnet attracts carrier beads that reside on the media transport surface such that as a result of the attraction, the carrier beads come to rest in the tray.

Abstract: A method for operating a cleaning device having a preclean charging device for improved cleaning latitude on an imageable surface, including: moving imageable surface in a process direction through a cleaning zone, selecting a portion of the imageable surface moving through the cleaning zone; providing an initial pre-clean current to the selected portion of the imageable surface; and during the moving step, changing, the preclean current to the selected portion of the imageable surface.

Abstract: A surface-treating apparatus has a dual-purpose surface-treating blade assembly that includes a blade holder for holding and loading a blade member, and a one-piece blade member having a first edge mounted to the blade holder and a second edge for contacting and treating a surface. The one-piece blade member has a mid-portion for applying a first edge-loading force to lightly contact and remove random spots from a central imaging region of the surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The dual-purpose blade assembly also includes a first shim device and a second shim device assembled respectively to the first end portion and to the second end portion of the blade member for stiffening such end portions and increasing a magnitude of each of a second and a third different edge-loading forces at such end portions relative to the first edge-loading force.

Abstract: A system for shielding sensors from airborne particulate matter in the environment of an electrostatic image reproduction device at least includes: a moving surface; at least one sensor; and a shield having at least one shield window, the shield adapted to be placed between the moving surface and the sensor, and the shield at least partially encloses a subsystem of the image reproduction device; wherein the movement of the surface, and the shield and the shield window cooperate to move air through the shield window past the sensor toward the moving surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, including; a housing defining a chamber storing at least a supply of toner therein; a donor member spaced from the surface and adapted to transport toner from the chamber of the housing to a development zone adjacent the surface; a plurality of electrodes longitudinally disposed on the donor member; and a commutator brush contacting the electrodes along a portion of the circumference of the donor member, said commutator brush including means for generating pneumatic force to move said commutator brush into contact with the electrodes.