Patent classifications
G03G15/24
Additive manufacturing using density feedback control
A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system includes providing a bitslice stack having a plurality of bitslices and printing a plurality of successive layers of the three-dimensional part with the additive manufacturing system based on the bitslices in the bitslice stack. The method includes measuring density of the three-dimensional part under construction near an intermediate build surface after one or more of the successive layers are printed. The method includes determining differences across the intermediate build surface of the measured density to a targeted density to identify one or more density error regions across the intermediate build surface, wherein the density error regions comprise low density regions, and modifying the bitslice stack to compensate for the one or more density error regions.
Electrostatic 3-D printer using addressable UV crosslinking
A 3-D printer includes a development station positioned to electrostatically transfer layers of material to an intermediate transfer surface, and a transfuse station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface. The transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers as the intermediate transfer surface moves past the transfuse 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 transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A curing station is positioned to apply ultraviolet light to each layer, after each layer is transferred from the transfuse station to the platen. The curing station selectively applies the ultraviolet light to crosslink polymers only in a portion of the material within the layer.
Electrostatic 3-D printer using addressable UV crosslinking
A 3-D printer includes a development station positioned to electrostatically transfer layers of material to an intermediate transfer surface, and a transfuse station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface. The transfuse station is positioned to receive the layers as the intermediate transfer surface moves past the transfuse 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 transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A curing station is positioned to apply ultraviolet light to each layer, after each layer is transferred from the transfuse station to the platen. The curing station selectively applies the ultraviolet light to crosslink polymers only in a portion of the material within the layer.
Discharging method for latent image bearer and image forming apparatus
A discharging method used in an image forming apparatus includes discharging, with an exposure device, an exposure range of the latent image bearer, and discharging, with a discharger, an area of the latent image bearer outside the exposure range and inside a developing range in a main scanning direction. The exposure range is inside the developing range in the main scanning direction. The discharging with the exposure device and the discharging with the discharger are performed when a rotation of the latent image bearer is stopped after a toner image is transferred from the latent image bearer.
Discharging method for latent image bearer and image forming apparatus
A discharging method used in an image forming apparatus includes discharging, with an exposure device, an exposure range of the latent image bearer, and discharging, with a discharger, an area of the latent image bearer outside the exposure range and inside a developing range in a main scanning direction. The exposure range is inside the developing range in the main scanning direction. The discharging with the exposure device and the discharging with the discharger are performed when a rotation of the latent image bearer is stopped after a toner image is transferred from the latent image bearer.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
The image forming apparatus includes the control unit that causes a supply operation that forms a predetermined toner image and supplies toner of the predetermined toner image to a contact portion between the cleaning member and the photosensitive member at a non-image forming time. During at least a period in which toner of the predetermined toner image on the photosensitive member passes through the transfer unit during the supply operation, the control unit causes application of a pass-through voltage that is a voltage having the same polarity as the normal charge polarity of the toner and whose absolute value is less than an electric potential of a portion that is exposed by the exposure device of the photosensitive member, or that is a voltage with a reverse polarity to the normal charge polarity of the toner to be applied from the transfer power supply to the transfer member.
Part material for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing
A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having a copolymer (including acrylonitrile units, butadiene units, and aromatic units), a charge control agent, and a heat absorber. The part material is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner.
Registration and overlay error correction of electrophotographically formed elements in an additive manufacturing system
In a method for printing a three-dimensional (3D) parts with an additive manufacturing system, a developed layer of an electrically charged powder material is produced on a transfer medium using an electrophotographic (EP) engine. The transfer medium and the developed layer are fed in a feed direction. A position of the developed layer on the transfer medium is detected using a first sensor having a first output that indicates the position. A position of a moveable build platform is adjusted relative to the transfer medium to reduce one or more overlay errors between the developed layer and an intermediate build surface of a three-dimensional structure retained on the moveable build platform based on the first output. The developed layer is transferred to the intermediate build surface using a pressing element.
Layer transfusion with transfixing for additive manufacturing
An additive manufacturing system comprising a transfer medium configured to receive the layers from a imaging engine, a heater configured to heat the layers on the transfer medium, and a layer transfusion assembly that includes a build platform, and is configured to transfuse the heated layers onto the build platform in a layer-by-layer manner to print a three-dimensional part.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus performs skew correction by bringing a leading end of a conveyed sheet in contact with a registration roller pair being in a stopped state and by forming a first loop with a loop roller pair, and thereafter, refeeds the sheet to an image former by adjusting timing. In a case of feeding a sheet with a length equal to or longer than a prescribed length, after having formed the first loop, the image forming apparatus forms a second loop in a loop accommodator that is disposed on an upstream side than the loop roller pair and accommodates a formed loop.