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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.