Abstract: A method of selective deposition-based additive manufacturing includes conveying a layer (28) of material to previously built layers (22) of material. A determination is made as to whether at least one of the conveyed layers (28) of material and a top previously built layer (22) of material contains an unsupported portion (302). When at least one of the conveyed layer (28) of material and the top previously built layer (22) of material contains an unsupported portion, a first set of steps (306, 408, 506) are used to transfer the conveyed layer (28) of material to the top previously built layer (22) of material. When neither of the conveyed layer (28) of material and the top previously built layer (22) of material contains an unsupported portion, a second set of steps (304, 406, 504) are used to transfer the conveyed layer (28) of material to the top previously built layer (22) of material.

Abstract: An electrostatic-based layer-wise manufacturing system (e.g., 200; 200-1; 250; 282; 300) decouples a layer imaging process from a layer transfusion process. The layer imaging process is performed in a first batch process that is independent from the layer transfusion process that is performed in a second batch process.

Abstract: A method of selective deposition-based additive manufacturing includes conveying a layer (28) of material to previously built layers (22) of material. A determination is made as to whether at least one of the conveyed layers (28) of material and a top previously built layer (22) of material contains an unsupported portion (302). When at least one of the conveyed layer (28) of material and the top previously built layer (22) of material contains an unsupported portion, a first set of steps (306, 408, 506) are used to transfer the conveyed layer (28) of material to the top previously built layer (22) of material. When neither of the conveyed layer (28) of material and the top previously built layer (22) of material contains an unsupported portion, a second set of steps (304, 406, 504) are used to transfer the conveyed layer (28) of material to the top previously built layer (22) of material.

Abstract: In a method of producing a 3D part using an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, a plurality of layers of a powder-based material are developed using at least one electrophotography (EP) engine. The developed layers are transferred to a transfer medium. The layers on the transfer medium are dried by heating the layers without fully fusing the powder-based material to itself using a dryer. This reduces a water content of the layers. The dried layers are heated on the transfer medium to at least a fusion temperature, at which the power-based material fuses together, using a pre-transfusion heater. The dried layers are then transfused together on a build platform using a transfusion assembly to build the part in a layer-by-layer manner.

Abstract: An electrostatic-based layer-wise manufacturing system (e.g., 200; 200-1; 250; 282; 300) decouples a layer imaging process from a layer transfusion process.

Abstract: A method for making a three-dimensional (3D) part with an electrostatographic based additive manufacturing system includes developing a first layer of a powder material using at least one electrostatographic engine, supporting the developed first layer on a transfer medium, adjusting a first layer thermal profile of the developed first layer with a first thermal flux device, adding thermal energy to a part thermal profile that includes a bonding region of previously accumulated layers of the 3D part, transfusing the developed first layer on the bonding region of the previously accumulated layers of the 3D part, and removing thermal energy from the part thermal profile. A transfusion temperature at a start of the transfusing step can be equal to or greater than a transfusion threshold temperature, where the transfusion temperature is an average of the first layer thermal profile and the part thermal profile in the bonding region.

Abstract: In a method of producing a 3D part using an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, a plurality of layers of a powder-based material are developed using at least one electrophotography (EP) engine. The developed layers are transferred to a transfer medium. The layers on the transfer medium are dried by heating the layers without fully fusing the powder-based material to itself using a dryer. This reduces a water content of the layers. The dried layers are heated on the transfer medium to at least a fusion temperature, at which the power-based material fuses together, using a pre-transfusion heater. The dried layers are then transfused together on a build platform using a transfusion assembly to build the part in a layer-by-layer manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusing a heat curable toner to a carrier sheet having said toner thereon. In the method, the toner is sandwiched between said carrier sheet and a movable fuser belt and heated to a first temperature by a first means, which first temperature is above a first glass transformation temperature of the toner. The toner is kept at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time by a second means, which elevated temperature is above the first glass transformation temperature, thereby raising the glass transformation temperature of the toner to a second glass transformation temperature. The apparatus has at least a first endless fuser belt, first heating means for heating the toner to a first temperature, second heating means located downstream of said first heating means for keeping the toner at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time and control means for controlling the first and second heating means.

Abstract: A booklet is produced including an outer sheet and an inner sheet folded and nested together. A print image having a thickness is printed where it is between the two sheets when they nest together. A cut length is calculated using the thicknesses of the sheets and the thickness of the print image, so that when the sheets are folded and the inner sheet is nested into the outer sheet, the edges of the inner sheet will not protrude beyond the edges of the outer sheet. The inner sheet is cut to the calculated cut length either before or after printing. The cut inner sheet and the outer sheet are folded and nested together to produce the booklet.

Abstract: The invention describes a method to control differential gloss of halftone areas produced using substantially clear or low-pigmented toner. It is an objective of this invention to provide a method which allows to produce digital watermarks on paper without being limited in the gloss properties of the toner, the paper or and selected fusing technology. The present invention relates to a method producing clear, low density or highdensity watermarks using Glossmark technology using low-pigmented toner or clear toner. Glossmark technology is for controlling the differential gloss of an image using the steps selecting a first halftone image having a first anisotropic structure, selecting a second halftone image having a second structure different from that of the first halftone, applying the first halftone to at least some portion of the halftone image and applying the second halftone to another portion of the halftone image.

Abstract: Methods for operating a development station are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of: applying a first force at a first end of an auger and a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by the developer and the replenishment toner. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative auger to rotate the alternative auger against the drag and wherein the auger has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative auger.

Abstract: A booklet with a cover sheet and a plurality of inner sheets is produced. The cover sheet is folded to begin the booklet. One at a time, the inner sheets are selectively printed, folded, and nested into the booklet. When each inner sheet is nested in the booklet, an edge of the inner sheet protrudes beyond an edge of the cover sheet. The protruding edge of the inner sheet is cut flush with the corresponding edge of the cover sheet.

Abstract: A booklet is produced. Selectively-printed sheets are cut to length, inner sheets being shorter, and stacked on a ramp set at an adjustable angle to a sheet support. This aligns the fold axes of all the sheets so they can be fastened and folded. Gravity is used to hold the sheets in place on the ramp and sheet support.

Abstract: Electrographic printing wherein raised information, with a distinct tactile feel, can be printed by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing standard size marking particles; and in an area of the formed print image, where desired tactile feel, raised information is to be formed, selectively forming such tactile feel, raised information utilizing marking particles of a substantially larger size than the standard size marking particles of the desired print image.

Abstract: Methods for operating a development station are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of: applying a first force at a first end of an auger and a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by the developer and the replenishment toner. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative auger to rotate the alternative auger against the drag and wherein the auger has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative auger.

Abstract: A booklet is produced. Selectively-printed sheets are cut to length, inner sheets being shorter, and stacked on a ramp set at an adjustable angle to a sheet support. This aligns the fold axes of all the sheets so they can be fastened and folded. Gravity is used to hold the sheets in place on the ramp and sheet support.

Abstract: A booklet with a cover sheet and a plurality of inner sheets is produced. The cover sheet is folded to begin the booklet. One at a time, the inner sheets are selectively printed, folded, and nested into the booklet. When each inner sheet is nested in the booklet, an edge of the inner sheet protrudes beyond an edge of the cover sheet. The protruding edge of the inner sheet is cut flush with the corresponding edge of the cover sheet.

Abstract: A booklet is produced including an outer sheet and an inner sheet folded and nested together. A print image having a thickness is printed where it is between the two sheets when they nest together. A cut length is calculated using the thicknesses of the sheets and the thickness of the print image, so that when the sheets are folded and the inner sheet is nested into the outer sheet, the edges of the inner sheet will not protrude beyond the edges of the outer sheet. The inner sheet is cut to the calculated cut length either before or after printing. The cut inner sheet and the outer sheet are folded and nested together to produce the booklet.

Abstract: A method of producing a booklet including an outer sheet and an inner sheet nested together. A processor calculates a cut length in a specific direction of the inner sheet using the thicknesses of the sheets, so that when the sheets are folded and the inner sheet is nested into the outer sheet, the edges of the inner sheet will not protrude beyond the edges of the outer sheet. A cutting device automatically cuts the inner sheet to the calculated cut length to define a fold axis. A print engine prints an image on the inner sheet after cutting the inner sheet. The inner sheet is automatically folded along its fold axis after printing. The outer sheet is automatically folded along its fold axis. The inner and outer sheets are automatically nested together to produce the booklet.

Abstract: A toner composition for fixing onto a receiver in conjunction with non-contact fuser capable of fusing one or more layers of toner on the receiver such that one or more toner layers reach a fusing temperature above a glass transition temperature. One or more cooling finish rollers are located downstream from the non-contact fuser to lower the toner temperature.