A device and production method, in which a workpiece is built up gradually in layers. To build up the workpiece, preformed layers, which are individually formed on a layer support using an electrophotographic printing process are transferred one at a time from the layer support to the workpiece. For this purpose, the layer is transferred to the workpiece in a printing operation, the layer being preferably laid on the workpiece by a die. In one embodiment, a plurality of workpieces are built up simultaneously and a plurality of preformed layers are transferred simultaneously to different respective workpieces. In another embodiment, the layer is formed on the layer support, which is preferably a film or paper, prior to being transferred.

The printing machine (1) comprises: a supporting structure (11); a thermal transfer assembly (20) movable in a predetermined horizontal direction (21) and comprising a rotatable motorized transfer roller (30) and heating means (70, 71) associated to the transfer roller (30), wherein the transfer roller (30) and the associated heating means (70, 71) are movable vertically towards and away from a path of the articles (A) to be printed; and supply means (2; 12-16, 33-40) arranged to advance a printing ribbon (N) which on a side facing the articles (A) carries at predetermined intervals images formed of a thermally transferable ink. The thermal transfer assembly (20) further comprises first and second deviation rollers (35, 36) whose axes of rotation are horizontal and substantially parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation (x) of the transfer roller (30). The deviation rollers (35, 36) are arranged one upstream and the other downstream of the transfer roller (30) on the path of the printing ribbon (N) and are displaceable vertically towards and away from said path of the articles (A). The printing machine (1) further comprises first and second motor means (43, 44) associated each with a respective deviation roller (35, 36), said first and second motor means (43, 44) being controllable independently of one another, whereby each of the deviation rollers (35, 36) is selectively displaceable vertically independently of the other one.

The printing machine (1) comprises: a supporting structure (11); a thermal transfer assembly (20) movable in a predetermined horizontal direction (21) and comprising a rotatable motorized transfer roller (30) and heating means (70, 71) associated to the transfer roller (30), wherein the transfer roller (30) and the associated heating means (70, 71) are movable vertically towards and away from a path of the articles (A) to be printed; and supply means (2; 12-16, 33-40) arranged to advance a printing ribbon (N) which on a side facing the articles (A) carries at predetermined intervals images formed of a thermally transferable ink. The thermal transfer assembly (20) further comprises first and second deviation rollers (35, 36) whose axes of rotation are horizontal and substantially parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation (x) of the transfer roller (30). The deviation rollers (35, 36) are arranged one upstream and the other downstream of the transfer roller (30) on the path of the printing ribbon (N) and are displaceable vertically towards and away from said path of the articles (A). The printing machine (1) further comprises first and second motor means (43, 44) associated each with a respective deviation roller (35, 36), said first and second motor means (43, 44) being controllable independently of one another, whereby each of the deviation rollers (35, 36) is selectively displaceable vertically independently of the other one.

An image forming apparatus includes a first transport unit, a second transport unit, a cover, a flap, a drive unit for moving the flap, a first sensor for detecting opening and closing of the cover, a second sensor for detecting a position of a sheet, and a controller. The controller switches the drive unit to move the flap to the second position, upon determining it is necessary to move the flap to the second position, subsequent to determining that the cover is opened based on a detection result by the first sensor. The controller switches the drive unit to move the flap from the second position to the first position, upon determining, based on a detection result by the second sensor, that a leading edge of the sheet reaches a position downstream, in a sheet transport direction, of a swing end portion of the flap at the second position.

A cooling device for cooling a recording material on which a toner image is fixed includes: a rotatable feeding belt configured to feed the recording material by rotation; a rotatable member configured to nip and feed the recording material in cooperation with the feeding belt; and a heat sink contacting an inner peripheral surface of the feeding belt. The feeding belt contains a fluorine-containing resin additive.

An ink film construction comprising: (a) a printing substrate; and (b) at least one ink film, fixedly adhered to a top surface of the printing substrate, the ink film having an upper film surface distal to the top surface of the substrate, wherein a surface concentration of nitrogen at the upper film surface exceeds a bulk concentration of nitrogen within the film, the bulk concentration measured at a depth of at least 30 nanometers below the upper film surface, and wherein a ratio of the surface concentration to the bulk concentration is at least 1.1 to 1.

An ink film construction comprising: (a) a printing substrate; and (b) at least one ink film, fixedly adhered to a top surface of the printing substrate, the ink film having an upper film surface distal to the top surface of the substrate, wherein a surface concentration of nitrogen at the upper film surface exceeds a bulk concentration of nitrogen within the film, the bulk concentration measured at a depth of at least 30 nanometers below the upper film surface, and wherein a ratio of the surface concentration to the bulk concentration is at least 1.1 to 1.

An image forming apparatus includes: an attachment table to which an object is attached; a transfer unit that transfers an image onto the object; and a transport unit that transports the attachment table along a transport path that has a transport start position on one side relative to the transfer unit and has a transport end position on a same side as the transport start position relative to the transfer unit, the transport path extending beyond the transfer unit and the attachment table being transported so as to turn back at a position beyond the transfer unit.

An image forming apparatus includes: an attachment table to which an object is attached; a transfer unit that transfers an image onto the object; and a transport unit that transports the attachment table along a transport path that has a transport start position on one side relative to the transfer unit and has a transport end position on a same side as the transport start position relative to the transfer unit, the transport path extending beyond the transfer unit and the attachment table being transported so as to turn back at a position beyond the transfer unit.

An electrostatic image developing toner includes toner particles, layered compound particles, and inorganic particles. The content of titanium in the electrostatic image developing toner is 0.1 ppm or more and less than 1,500 ppm.