Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for purging charged powder particles from a mixture of ferromagnetic carrier particles and said powder particles. One example embodiment may include a powder purging apparatus comprising a support surface comprising a first side for supporting said carrier particles; a plurality of magnets, arranged on a second side of said support surface for generating magnetic fields at said first side to attract said carrier particles for forming a magnetic brush of said carrier particles, said magnetic fields and said support surface moveable relative to each other; an attracting surface facing said first side and spaced apart therefrom; and a field generator adapted for generating an electrical field between said attracting surface and said support surface for attracting said powder particles away from the carrier particles and towards said attracting surface, wherein said magnetic brush of carrier particles is spaced apart from said attracting surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for purging charged powder particles from a mixture of said powder particles and ferromagnetic carrier particles. Purging is effected by moving the carrier particles relative to a first side of a support surface which supports said carrier particles, while attracting the powder particles towards an attracting surface which is spaced apart from said support surface and at a different potential than said support surface. The movement of the carrier particles is driven by moving the support surface relative to a plurality of magnets which are arranged on a second side of the support surface opposite to said first side, for attracting the carrier particles to said first side.