Abstract: A mandrel comprising a surface effective for electroforming an article thereon, wherein a portion of the mandrel has a contoured surface effective for facilitating axial movement away from the mandrel of the article formed thereon when the article experiences circumferential motion relative to the mandrel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a chuck apparatus for holding and shaping a hollow, flexible, endless substrate during dip coating comprising: (a) a hollow, flexible bladder adapted to be disposed within the substrate; and (b) a first spindle and a second spindle which are partially disposed within the bladder, the second spindle being movable to press the bladder against the substrate and to shape the bladder and the substrate into an elongated shape.

Abstract: A method of separating an electroformed metal substrate from a mandrel includes establishing a parting gap between the electroformed metal substrate and the mandrel, attaching the electroformed metal substrate at a parabolic end of the mandrel to a parting fixture, and introducing a fluid through the parting fixture into an opening of the mandrel to effect separation of the electroformed metal substrate from the mandrel. The parting fixture includes a parabolically shaped outer cup with a fluid inlet tube extending through the bottom thereof. The parting fixture also preferably includes an inner cup for containing the fluid introduced through the fluid inlet tube and a vacuum device to effect attachment of the electroformed metal substrate to the parting fixture.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for parting an electroformed article from a mandrel including: (a) solidifying a liquid that is disposed between a parting device and the article, thereby joining the parting device to the article via the solidified liquid; and (b) moving the parting device in a direction of separation of the article from the mandrel while the parting device is joined to the article via the solidified liquid to assist in separation of the article from the mandrel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for separating an electroformed article from a mandrel wherein the article is more attracted to a magnetic force than the mandrel comprising employing the magnetic force on the article in separating the article and the mandrel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coating method for a substrate having an end region comprising: (a) rubbing a nonwetting material across the end region to adhere the nonwetting material to the end region; and (b) contacting a portion of the substrate including the end region with a coating composition, whereby the coating composition adheres to the substrate surface free of the nonwetting material and the nonwetting material minimizes adherence of the coating composition to the end region.

Abstract: A flexible belt assembly is prepared by positioning an edge of a belt-shaped substrate in proximity to a metal filled gasket within a groove of a support flange. An electromagnetic force is applied to the gasket to soften the metal to cause conforming of the shape of the gasket to the edge and to the groove. The flexible belt assembly is disassembled by applying a magnetic force to loosen the conforming compression fit.

Abstract: A process for treating a predetermined portion of a coating on a photoreceptor to remove at least part of the coating involves directing a source of high energy irradiation at the coating in the presence of at least one fluid medium to remove at least part of the coating from the predetermined portion of the coating. The source of high energy irradiation is preferably a laser beam, ultrasonic energy, or a source of high intensity heat. The at least one fluid medium is preferably at least one gas jet, liquid jet or a liquid solvent.

Abstract: An at least partially hollow electroforming mandrel containing therein means for adjustably altering the diameter of the mandrel. The mandrel assists in creating a parting gap between the mandrel and the electroformed article, thereby facilitating separation of the two components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating a mandrel having a tapered end portion from an article formed thereon comprising: (a) providing the mandrel having an opening in the tapered end portion; (b) plugging at least a substantial portion of the opening with a member which presents a deposition surface for the formation of the article; (c) forming the article having a tapered end portion on the mandrel, including on the deposition surface of the member; and (d) pushing the member against the inside surface of the tapered end portion of the article to move the article away from the mandrel, thereby forming a gap between the article and the mandrel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for parting an electrodeposited article comprised of a first surface region and a second surface region from a mandrel, wherein the method comprises: (a) positioning the article and the mandrel in a metal deposition solution; (b) forming a plurality of metal dendrites on the second surface region wherein the first surface region is free of metal dendrites; and (c) separating the article and the mandrel.

Abstract: Acetic acid, an environmentally compatible solvent, is used in a method for removing excess coating material from an electrostatographic imaging member substrate. The method involves covering the substrate so that the excess coating material remains exposed, and then contacting acetic acid on at least part of a substrate containing the excess coating layer until the excess coating material is removed from at least part of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for separating an electroformed article from a mandrel comprising: (a) masking a portion of a mandrel with a mask comprising an electrically nonconductive outer surface; (b) electroforming an article on the mandrel wherein the electroforming material is deposited on the mandrel surface but fails to adhere to the nonconductive outer surface of the mask, whereby the end of the electroformed article is adjacent to the mask; and (c) removing the article from the mandrel by either: (i) pushing the mask against the end of the article to effect movement of the article in the direction of separation; or (ii) removing the mandrel while keeping the mask stationary, whereby the end of the article pushes against the mask during withdrawal of the mandrel.