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.

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.

An additive manufacturing system for forming 3D parts includes a platen, a gantry, at least one print head, and a retention device. The gantry is configured to move the platen along a vertical axis. The at least one print head is configured to extrude part and/or support material onto a sheet substrate that is positioned on a support surface of the platen. The retention device includes a frame that is configured to press two or more edge portions of the sheet substrate against the support surface of the platen when the retention device is in a lowered position relative to the platen or support surface.

An additive manufacturing method produces a 3D part utilizes electrophotography-based additive manufacturing and molding processes. A layered structure having a cavity is printed on a build platform using at least one electrophotographic (EP) engine to develop imaged layers of powder material, and a transfusion assembly to stack and fuse the imaged layers on the build platform. Molding material is deposited into the cavity as the layered structure is printed, using a deposition unit. The molding material solidifies to form at least a portion of the 3D part, which may also include portions formed from imaged powder material.

A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material and a charge control agent. 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.

An image forming apparatus (1) includes image bearing members (31), transfer members (52), and a power supply section (57). The image bearing members (31) each bear one of toner images in different colors from one another. The transfer members (52) are located opposite to the image bearing members (31). The power supply section (57) charges the transfer members (52). Through the above, the toner images on the respective image bearing members (31) are transferred to a moving transfer target (51). The power supply section (57) includes a power supply device (58 or 58a) connected to at least two of the transfer members (52). The transfer members (52) connected to the power supply device (58 or 58a) are each located at a position shifted upstream or downstream of a corresponding one of the image bearing members (31) in a moving direction (X) of the transfer target (51).

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.

A platen assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, which includes a platen plate that is preferably secured to a gantry mechanism of the additive manufacturing system, and having a top surface, and one or more magnets secured to the platen plate and configured to generate one or more magnetic fields at the top surface of the platen plate. The platen gantry is configured to magnetically couple interchangeable and replaceable build sheets to the top surface of the platen plate due to the one or more generated magnetic fields, and where the magnetically-coupled build sheets are configured to receive the printed layers from the printing mechanism.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to printing systems and methods that may include an ink composition including electrically charged ink particles dispersed in a hydrocarbon liquid and a multilayer film. The multilayer film may include a polymeric core layer; and one or more printing layers adjacent to the polymeric core layer. The one or more printing layers may include at least 50 wt. % of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having acid and acrylate functional groups. The ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having acid and acrylate functional groups may include from 0.5 wt. % to 4 wt. % methacrylic or acrylic acid; from 0.5 wt. % to 4 wt. % acrylate, from 7 wt. % to 40 wt. % vinyl acetate; and the balance ethylene, based on the total weight of the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having acid and acrylate functional groups.

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.