Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing erasable relief images including providing a face surface formed of a temperature sensitive shape memory material. The face surface may be selectively heated to cause the shape memory material to displace and form a predetermined relief image. Alternatively, the shape memory material may be selectively engaged with die elements to form a predetermined relief image. The relief image may be erased by heating the face surface to thereby cause the shape memory material to return to a uniform surface contour, or to soften the shape material sufficiently for it to be engaged and compressed to a predetermined uniform configuration by an erasing element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for pad printing inked images onto injection-molded pieces, while they are still in the mold, using a robotics device and an ink transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A roller for an image forming apparatus comprises: a core body having a shaft positioned in the center thereof, the core body being formed by solidifying a fluid around an outer circumference of the shaft; and a surface layer formed on a surface of said core body, the surface layer being made of hard rubber and having a uniform thickness over the surface of the core body. A mold for the roller, comprises: an inner surface whose section is the same as a section of the core body; a pair of half-split bodies, one end wall of each half-split body having a recess for clamping the shaft, other end wall of each half-split body having a injecting hole for injecting a core body forming fluid therefrom; and a stopper body serving as an aligning member having a through hole in the middle thereof for inserting the shaft thereinto, the stopper body further projecting a stopper on an outer circumference thereof for fitting the stopper into the injecting hole.