Abstract: Examples of an inlet to enable a forced air flow to enter a build material container in a 3D additive manufacturing system are described. In one case, the inlet has a structure having an inner face and an outer face forming at least one aperture through the structure through which forced air flows in use. The inlet has a longitudinal axis and the inner face and outer face are non-aligned along at least one axis which passes through each of inner face and the outer face and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An additive-manufacturing build-material container comprises a reservoir to hold build material, a build-material outlet structure to allow build material to exit the reservoir through an outlet opening in a top portion of the reservoir, a longitudinal collection unit (313a) to collect build material from the bottom and guide the build material to the outlet opening at the top, and bottom-venting structure to admit vent gas into a bottom portion of the reservoir. The bottom-venting structure may include a vent tube to admit venting gas into the bottom portion of the reservoir. A concentric collection tube structure may be employed including the longitudinal collection tube nested within a vent tube (333A, 354A). The concentric collection tube structure may be mounted along the central axis of the reservoir.

Abstract: In an example, a data unit includes a mounting to removably mount the data unit on a receiving portion of an additive manufacturing build material container, a data source to provide data comprising a plurality of additive manufacturing parameters and a communications interface to communicate with a reader of an additive manufacturing build material processing apparatus. The communications interface is to transmit data from the data source to the additive manufacturing build material processing apparatus.

Abstract: In an example, a data unit includes a data unit mounting having a circuitry region, a registration portion, and a retaining feature. Circuitry comprising a data source to provide at least one additive manufacturing parameter is arranged on the circuitry region of the mounting. The data unit mounting is to be removably mounted on a receiving portion of an additive manufacturing build material component, such that the registration portion is to be received in a corresponding guide portion of the receiving portion of the additive manufacturing build material component, and the retaining feature is prevent removal of the data unit from the receiving portion unless deformed. Deformation of the retaining feature to effect removal of the data unit from the receiving portion may be a permanent deformation.

Abstract: There is provided a build material source container for use in a material management station of a three dimensional, 3D, printer. The source container defines a substantially enclosed space for holding build material and has an aperture for build material ingress and egress. At least part of the build material source container is formed from an electrically conductive material. The conductive material portion of the build material source container is connectable to Earth to discharge static electricity generated within the build material source container.

Abstract: A media-sheet stacking system for stacking media sheets on a device output tray comprises a kicker to advance a media sheet along the output tray by pushing a trailing edge of the media sheet as it exits the device, and a movable element arranged to face the output tray across a space that receives media sheets exiting the device. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the movable element in the direction of advance of the media sheet along the output tray.

Abstract: A handoff mechanism for use with a media stacker of a media production apparatus comprises a plurality of kicker units (101) arranged across a width of the handoff mechanism. A common drive mechanism (103) is provided to move the plurality of kicker units (101) between a closed position and an open position. Each kicker unit (101), when in the closed position during use, applies a pressure to any media sheets that are already stacked in a stacker tray (105) while a new media sheet is being fed to the stacker tray. The pressure provided by each kicker unit (101) is independent of the pressure provided by the other kicker units (101).

Abstract: A build material container for use in 3D printing includes a reservoir to hold build material and a build material outlet structure. The container also includes a throughput structure to allow air to enter into the reservoir through the throughput opening, wherein said throughput opening provides access to build material in and out of the reservoir.

Abstract: A media-sheet stacking system (10) for stacking media sheets on a device output tray (OT) comprises a kicker (25) to advance a media sheet along the output tray by pushing a trailing edge of the media sheet as it exits the device, and a movable element (32a) arranged to face the output tray across a space that receives media sheets exiting the device. A drive mechanism (33) is provided to drive the movable element in the direction of advance of the media sheet along the output tray.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a print zone and a media handling system for advancing media through a media path and through the print zone, wherein the media handling system comprises a first media driving arrangement positioned downstream of the print zone in the direction of advance of the media, and a second media driving arrangement positioned downstream of the first arrangement, the second media driving arrangement being operable to cause the tension of the media in a deformation zone between the two driving arrangements to be lower than the tension of the media in the print zone.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing build material container comprises a reservoir to hold build material and a build material outlet structure. The container also includes a throughput structure to allow air to enter into the reservoir through the throughput opening, wherein said throughput opening provides access to build material in and out of the reservoir.

Abstract: A media-sheet stacking system (10) for stacking media sheets on a device output tray (OT) comprises a kicker (25) to advance a media sheet along the output tray by pushing a trailing edge of the media sheet as it exits the device, and a movable element (32a) arranged to face the output tray across a space that receives media sheets exiting the device. A drive mechanism (33) is provided to drive the movable element in the direction of advance of the media sheet along the output tray.

Abstract: A handoff mechanism for use with a media stacker of a media production apparatus comprises a plurality of kicker units (101) arranged across a width of the handoff mechanism. A common drive mechanism (103) is provided to move the plurality of kicker units (101) between a closed position and an open position. Each kicker unit (101), when in the closed position during use, applies a pressure to any media sheets that are already stacked in a stacker tray (105) while a new media sheet is being fed to the stacker tray. The pressure provided by each kicker unit (101) is independent of the pressure provided by the other kicker units.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a print zone and a media handling system for advancing media through a media path and through the print zone, wherein the media handling system comprises a first media driving arrangement positioned downstream of the print zone in the direction of advance of the media, and a second media driving arrangement positioned downstream of the first arrangement, the second media driving arrangement being operable to cause the tension of the media in a deformation zone between the two driving arrangements to be lower than the tension of the media in the print zone.

Abstract: A pickup arm for print media arranged to engage a roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, a cutter device usable therewith and a method are disclosed. The image forming apparatus, cutter device and method include a cutter housing, a pair of rotary cutting wheels, a cutter guide, and a gear assembly. The pair of rotary cutting wheels pass through a cutting region to cut media transported along a media transport path.

Abstract: In one example, a bistable cover assembly includes a cover, a base, an intermediate part; and pre-tensioned spring, the spring being attached to the base and the intermediate part such that the spring biases the intermediate part into two stable positions, the cover interfacing with the intermediate part and being closed in a first of the two stable positions and open in a second of the two stable positions. A method for assembling a cover assembly is also described.

Abstract: A pickup arm for print media arranged to engage a roller.

Abstract: In one example, a bistable cover assembly includes a cover, a base, an intermediate part; and pre-tensioned spring, the spring being attached to the base and the intermediate part such that the spring biases the intermediate part into two stable positions, the cover interfacing with the intermediate part and being closed in a first of the two stable positions and open in a second of the two stable positions. A method for assembling a cover assembly is also described.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, a cutter device usable therewith and a method are disclosed. The image forming apparatus, cutter device and method include a cutter housing, a pair of rotary cutting wheels, a cutter guide, and a gear assembly. The pair of rotary cutting wheels pass through a cutting region to cut media transported along a media transport path.