Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are exposed to a solvent using a solvent application station to make the build material tacky, without affecting the support material. Then, the intermediate transfer surface moves past a transfuse station (the transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers after exposure to the solvent) and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen.

Abstract: An object surface treatment system facilitates the treatment of articles of manufacture before they are printed. The system includes a chamber having walls and a lid configured to close the chamber, a flexible member mounted to the lid of the chamber, a vacuum source operatively connected to an interior volume of the chamber, and a plurality of actuators. A controller is configured to operate the actuators and vacuum source to move the applicator to apply a chemical to the flexible member, move the lid to close the chamber, produce a vacuum within the chamber and move a portion of the surface of the flexible member into engagement with a surface of an object within the chamber, cease operation of the vacuum source to enable the flexible member to return to a position adjacent the lid, and remove the lid from the chamber for removal of the object from the chamber.

Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are exposed to a solvent using a solvent application station to make the build material tacky, without affecting the support material. Then, the intermediate transfer surface moves past a transfuse station (the transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers after exposure to the solvent) and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen.

Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are exposed to a solvent using a solvent application station to make the build material tacky, without affecting the support material. Then, the intermediate transfer surface moves past a transfuse station (the transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers after exposure to the solvent) and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen.

Abstract: A 3-D printer includes a development station positioned to electrostatically transfer layers of material to an intermediate transfer surface, and a transfer station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface. The transfer station is positioned to receive the layers as the intermediate transfer surface moves past the transfer station. Also, a platen is included that moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the material to the platen each time the platen contacts one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A fusing station is positioned to apply light to each layer, after each layer is transferred from the transfer station to the platen. The fusing station selectively applies the light to sinter a portion of the material within the layer.

Abstract: An object surface treatment system facilitates the treatment of articles of manufacture before they are printed. The system includes a chamber having walls and a lid configured to close the chamber, a flexible member mounted to the lid of the chamber, a vacuum source operatively connected to an interior volume of the chamber, and a plurality of actuators. A controller is configured to operate the actuators and vacuum source to move the applicator to apply a chemical to the flexible member, move the lid to close the chamber, produce a vacuum within the chamber and move a portion of the surface of the flexible member into engagement with a surface of an object within the chamber, cease operation of the vacuum source to enable the flexible member to return to a position adjacent the lid, and remove the lid from the chamber for removal of the object from the chamber.

Abstract: In 3-D printing a platen moves toward an intermediate transfer belt (ITB) to have a sheet positioned on the platen contact the ITB to electrostatically transfer a layer of different materials to the sheet, and then the platen moves to a heater to join the layer to the sheet. This processing is repeated to have the sheet repeatedly contact the ITB (with intervening heating at the heater) to successively form layers of the materials on the sheet. The sheet having the layers thereon moves to a rinsing station, where a liquid is applied to dissolve the sheet and leave a freestanding stack of the layers. The freestanding stack is fed to a platform to successively form a 3-D structure of freestanding stacks of the layers. Light and/or heat are applied to the 3-D structure to bond the freestanding stacks to one another on the platform.

Abstract: In 3-D printing a platen moves toward an intermediate transfer belt (ITB) to have a sheet positioned on the platen contact the ITB to electrostatically transfer a layer of different materials to the sheet, and then the platen moves to a stabilization station to join the layer to the sheet. This processing is repeated to have the sheet repeatedly contact the ITB (with intervening stabilization at the stabilization station) to successively form layers of the materials on the sheet. The freestanding stack is fed to a platform to successively form a 3-D structure of freestanding stacks of the layers. Heat and/or pressure and/or light are applied to the 3-D structure to bond the freestanding stacks to one another through the sheets of collapsible media on the platform.

Abstract: A 3-D printer includes a development station positioned to electrostatically transfer layers of material to an intermediate transfer surface, and a transfer station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface. The transfer station is positioned to receive the layers as the intermediate transfer surface moves past the transfer station. Also, a platen is included that moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the material to the platen each time the platen contacts one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A fusing station is positioned to apply light to each layer, after each layer is transferred from the transfer station to the platen. The fusing station selectively applies the light to sinter a portion of the material within the layer.

Abstract: Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are exposed to a solvent using a solvent application station to make the build material tacky, without affecting the support material. Then, the intermediate transfer surface moves past a transfuse station (the transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers after exposure to the solvent) and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen.

Abstract: In 3-D printing a platen moves toward an intermediate transfer belt (ITB) to have a sheet positioned on the platen contact the ITB to electrostatically transfer a layer of different materials to the sheet, and then the platen moves to a heater to join the layer to the sheet. This processing is repeated to have the sheet repeatedly contact the ITB (with intervening heating at the heater) to successively form layers of the materials on the sheet. The sheet having the layers thereon moves to a rinsing station, where a liquid is applied to dissolve the sheet and leave a freestanding stack of the layers. The freestanding stack is fed to a platform to successively form a 3-D structure of freestanding stacks of the layers. Light and/or heat are applied to the 3-D structure to bond the freestanding stacks to one another on the platform.

Abstract: In 3-D printing a platen moves toward an intermediate transfer belt (ITB) to have a sheet positioned on the platen contact the ITB to electrostatically transfer a layer of different materials to the sheet, and then the platen moves to a stabilization station to join the layer to the sheet. This processing is repeated to have the sheet repeatedly contact the ITB (with intervening stabilization at the stabilization station) to successively form layers of the materials on the sheet. The freestanding stack is fed to a platform to successively form a 3-D structure of freestanding stacks of the layers. Heat and/or pressure and/or light are applied to the 3-D structure to bond the freestanding stacks to one another through the sheets of collapsible media on the platform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for managing the triboelectric charge potential of a two-component xerographic developer over a wide range of variables. In particular, the present embodiments uses the addition of second and third carrier particles to a developer comprising toner particles and first carrier particles to adjust the tribo electric charge potential of the developer. Various parameters (system responses), including Vmag, laser power, relative humidity, toner and carrier age, and image scan data, are used to determine the requisite amounts of the second and third carrier to achieve a desired shift in tribo electric charge potential of the developer.

Abstract: A method for printer stability enhancement in a multiple printer printing system includes determining a first printer stress state of a first printer in a printing system, wherein the first printer is assigned a first printing role. A second printer stress state of a second printer in the printing system is also determined, wherein the second printer is assigned a second printing role that is different from the first printing role. The first printer stress state is compared to the second printer stress state, and the first printing role is reassigned to the second printer and the second printing role is reassigned to the first printer if the first printer stress state is different than the second printer stress state. A printing system implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of cleaning electrodes (such as wires) is used in a toner-based electrostatic printing device. The electrodes produce an environment containing charged toner particles to assist in electrostatic printing. The method automatically monitors at least two printing parameters that are unrelated to signals and voltages provided to the electrodes (using a processor of the electrostatic printing device). Further, this method also uses the processor automatically infers a toner contamination of the electrodes from the printing parameters. This allows the processor to automatically adjust the printing the used by the electrostatic printing device during electrostatic printing to maintain the contamination of the electrodes below a threshold.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of cleaning electrodes (such as wires) is used in a toner-based electrostatic printing device. The electrodes produce an environment containing charged toner particles to assist in electrostatic printing. The method automatically monitors at least two printing parameters that are unrelated to signals and voltages provided to the electrodes (using a processor of the electrostatic printing device). Further, this method also uses the processor automatically infers a toner contamination of the electrodes from the printing parameters. This allows the processor to automatically adjust the printing the used by the electrostatic printing device during electrostatic printing to maintain the contamination of the electrodes below a threshold.

Abstract: A method for printer stability enhancement in a multiple printer printing system includes determining a first printer stress state of a first printer in a printing system, wherein the first printer is assigned a first printing role. A second printer stress state of a second printer in the printing system is also determined, wherein the second printer is assigned a second printing role that is different from the first printing role. The first printer stress state is compared to the second printer stress state, and the first printing role is reassigned to the second printer and the second printing role is reassigned to the first printer if the first printer stress state is different than the second printer stress state. A printing system implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of changing a color developer in a developer housing of xerographic marking system are disclosed, and may include supplying a chart divided into a plurality of color family sections or quadrants, selecting a new color to be installed in a developer housing corresponding to the color family section, purging old toner from the developer housing until a concentration of old toner is reduced to about 0.1% to 6.0% from its nominal concentration, installing a container of a new color developer in the developer housing, and running the marking system until the required concentration of the new color developer is attained.

Abstract: A system and method for producing toner associated with a selectable gloss level is provided. The method includes holding a first toner formed of particles, associated with a relatively low gloss level, and having two particle properties, each having a first and second characteristic, respectively, and holding a second toner formed of particles, associated with a relatively high gloss level, and having the two particle properties, each having a third and fourth characteristic, respectively. The first and third and the second and fourth characteristics are substantially the same. The first and second toners are transported and a ratio of their respective volumes is determined so that when blended a third toner is produced which is associated with a selected gloss level that is in-between the low and high gloss levels. The transporting is controlled in accordance with the determined ratio.

Abstract: This is a system for changing a color in a xerographic marking system from an old color to a new color within the same color family. The prior art systems for changing color required that the entire color housing or hardware be replaced; this was very costly since these housings are very expensive. The present system involves removing the old color, selecting a new color in the same family of color, purging this old color from the color housing until a low concentration of old color remains, then installing a new color container and running the color system with the new color until the desired color is obtained. The new color is continuously measured by a spectrophotometer until the spectrophotometer indicates that the desired new color is produced.