Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a 3D object. The apparatus may be comprised of a charged powder transferring system, a first charged powder layer generating device, a second charged powder layer generating device, a powder layer consolidation station, and an object build platform. In operation of the apparatus, a portion of a powder transferring surface of the flexible web traverses a directional change member during cyclic motion, and exceeds a radius of curvature defining a delamination threshold between the powder transferring surface and a first fused slice of the object. The apparatus may include an oven operable to fuse a stack of delaminated fused slices on a support substrate into a fused stack comprising fused second powder material and fused first powder material forming at least a portion of the object. A method of fabricating a 3D object is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an object, comprising depositing a first layer of first object material on a support substrate electrode; applying a conductive agent material onto the first layer; depositing a first layer of charged powder on an intermediate substrate; conveying the first layer of charged powder on the intermediate substrate proximate to the first layer of first object material; and applying a transferring electric field to cause transfer of the first layer of charged powder from the intermediate substrate onto the first layer on the support substrate electrode, to form a first powder layer on the first layer on the support substrate electrode. Multiple powder layers may be deposited on the first layer. The method may be further comprised of fusing the powder layer(s) to form a first fused layer on the support substrate electrode. A related object fabrication apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an object, comprising depositing a first layer of first object material on a support substrate electrode; applying a conductive agent material onto the first layer; depositing a first layer of charged powder on an intermediate substrate; conveying the first layer of charged powder on the intermediate substrate proximate to the first layer of first object material; and applying a transferring electric field to cause transfer of the first layer of charged powder from the intermediate substrate onto the first layer on the support substrate electrode, to form a first powder layer on the first layer on the support substrate electrode. Multiple powder layers may be deposited on the first layer. The method may be further comprised of fusing the powder layer(s) to form a first fused layer on the support substrate electrode. A related object fabrication apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a part, comprising a substrate for holding the part during forming; a transport web; a web delivery system; a powder generation system configured to deposit a portion of powder on a portion of the web delivered by the delivery system; a sintering station configured to sinter the portion of powder on the delivered portion of the transport web; and a transfer station configured to transfer the sintered portion of the powder from the transport web to a partially formed portion of the part and join the sintered portion of the powder to the partially formed part. Additionally, a method for making a part comprising depositing a first portion of a powder on a transport web substrate; sintering the first portion of powder on the web substrate; and joining the sintered portion of the powder to the support substrate to form a first layer of the part.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an object, comprising depositing a first layer of first object material on a support substrate electrode; applying a conductive agent material onto the first layer; depositing a first layer of charged powder on an intermediate substrate; conveying the first layer of charged powder on the intermediate substrate proximate to the first layer of first object material; and applying a transferring electric field to cause transfer of the first layer of charged powder from the intermediate substrate onto the first layer on the support substrate electrode, to form a first powder layer on the first layer on the support substrate electrode. Multiple powder layers may be deposited on the first layer. The method may be further comprised of fusing the powder layer(s) to form a first fused layer on the support substrate electrode. A related object fabrication apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an object, comprising depositing a first layer of first object material on a support substrate electrode; applying a conductive agent material onto the first layer; depositing a first layer of charged powder on an intermediate substrate; conveying the first layer of charged powder on the intermediate substrate proximate to the first layer of first object material; and applying a transferring electric field to cause transfer of the first layer of charged powder from the intermediate substrate onto the first layer on the support substrate electrode, to form a first powder layer on the first layer on the support substrate electrode. Multiple powder layers may be deposited on the first layer. The method may be further comprised of fusing the powder layer(s) to form a first fused layer on the support substrate electrode. A related object fabrication apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a part, comprising a substrate for holding the part during forming; a transport web; a web delivery system; a powder generation system configured to deposit a portion of powder on a portion of the web delivered by the delivery system; a sintering station configured to sinter the portion of powder on the delivered portion of the transport web; and a transfer station configured to transfer the sintered portion of the powder from the transport web to a partially formed portion of the part and join the sintered portion of the powder to the partially formed part. Additionally, a method for making a part comprising depositing a first portion of a powder on a transport web substrate; sintering the first portion of powder on the web substrate; and joining the sintered portion of the powder to the support substrate to form a first layer of the part.

Abstract: An ink jet device selectively ejects droplets of non-marking liquid ink into cells of a printing member in a desired latent negative image pattern. Certain cells of the printing member are filled with pigmented ink to create a desired image. An electrical bias is applied for fractionating pigment in the pigmented ink from liquid and transferring an image-wise pigmented ink pattern from the printing member to a receiving member, leaving behind a substantial portion of liquid. The receiver can be an intermediate member whereby the image-wise ink pattern is transferred from the intermediate member to a final receiver, while such receiver is in operative association with said intermediate member.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having an imaging member having an external surface and a series of substantially equal sized cells located over such surface. The printing apparatus includes an ink jet device for selectively ejecting droplets of ink, having marking particles and liquid, into the cells of said imaging member in a desired image-wise ink pattern, a mechanism for filling the cells of said imaging member with a dielectric fluid after said ink jet device ejects droplets of ink into said cells, and transfer mechanism including a device for fractionating the marking particles in the ink from the liquid and transferring the image-wise marking particle pattern to a receiver member.

Abstract: An ink jet device selectively ejects droplets of non-marking liquid ink into cells of a printing member in a desired latent negative image pattern. Certain cells of the printing member are filled with pigmented ink to create a desired image. An electrical bias is applied for fractionating pigment in the pigmented ink from liquid and transferring an image-wise pigmented ink pattern from the printing member to a receiving member, leaving behind a substantial portion of liquid. The receiver can be an intermediate member whereby the image-wise ink pattern is transferred from the intermediate member to a final receiver, while such receiver is in operative association with said intermediate member.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having an imaging member having an external surface and a series of substantially equal sized cells located over such surface. The printing apparatus includes an ink jet device for selectively ejecting droplets of ink, having marking particles and liquid, into the cells of said imaging member in a desired image-wise ink pattern, a mechanism for filling the cells of said imaging member with a dielectric fluid after said ink jet device ejects droplets of ink into said cells, and transfer mechanism including a device for fractionating the marking particles in the ink from the liquid and transferring the image-wise marking particle pattern to a receiver member.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus of imparting various gloss levels to toner images. The method comprises the steps of:fixing toner to a receiver in a fixing system, wherein said fixed toner possesses residual stress; andpost-treating said fixed toner to at least partially relax said residual stress of said fixed toner.This invention also provides a fixing apparatus comprising:a fixing system for fixing toner to a receiver wherein said fixed toner possesses residual stress; and a post-treatment element capable of at least partially relaxing said residual stress of said fixed toner.

Abstract: This invention provides a roller mask for use as part of a transfer roller in an electrostatographic machine consisting of a dimensionally stable base, polymeric material adhered to the base, and means for mounting the base onto a roller core.