A powder film forming method includes the steps of: filling an opening with a powder, the opening being formed in a screen plate; and forming the powder film by generating an electric potential difference between the screen plate and a substrate so as to cause the powder, which is filling the opening, to move to the substrate.

Methods and apparatus for contacting printing via electrostatic force. In one example, an apparatus for contact printing using an ink includes a substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a group of microstructures disposed on the conductive layer. Each microstructure includes a group of conductive porous medium extending from the conductive layer. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the microstructures and configured to electrically insulate the microstructures from the ink during use. The conductive layer is configured to apply a voltage on the group of microstructures to facilitate the loading and dispensing of ink.

Methods and apparatus for contacting printing via electrostatic force. In one example, an apparatus for contact printing using an ink includes a substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a group of microstructures disposed on the conductive layer. Each microstructure includes a group of conductive porous medium extending from the conductive layer. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the microstructures and configured to electrically insulate the microstructures from the ink during use. The conductive layer is configured to apply a voltage on the group of microstructures to facilitate the loading and dispensing of ink.

An apparatus and method for magnetizing a magnetizable ink. The apparatus can include a first pair of first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a first gap. The first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a second pair of third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a second gap. The third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a third pair of fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a third gap. The fifth and sixth magnetic array can have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The cylindrical magnetic arrays can be positioned to receive a moving web substrate through the first, second, and third gaps.

An apparatus and method for magnetizing a magnetizable ink. The apparatus can include a first pair of first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a first gap. The first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a second pair of third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a second gap. The third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a third pair of fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a third gap. The fifth and sixth magnetic array can have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The cylindrical magnetic arrays can be positioned to receive a moving web substrate through the first, second, and third gaps.

Methods and apparatus for contacting printing via electrostatic force. In one example, an apparatus for contact printing using an ink includes a substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a group of microstructures disposed on the conductive layer. Each microstructure includes a group of conductive porous medium extending from the conductive layer. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the microstructures and configured to electrically insulate the microstructures from the ink during use. The conductive layer is configured to apply a voltage on the group of microstructures to facilitate the loading and dispensing of ink.

Methods and apparatus for contacting printing via electrostatic force. In one example, an apparatus for contact printing using an ink includes a substrate, a conductive layer disposed on the substrate, and a group of microstructures disposed on the conductive layer. Each microstructure includes a group of conductive porous medium extending from the conductive layer. The apparatus also includes a dielectric layer conformally disposed on the microstructures and configured to electrically insulate the microstructures from the ink during use. The conductive layer is configured to apply a voltage on the group of microstructures to facilitate the loading and dispensing of ink.

An apparatus and method for magnetizing a magnetizable ink. The apparatus can include a first pair of first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a first gap. The first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a second pair of third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a second gap. The third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a third pair of fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a third gap. The fifth and sixth magnetic array can have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The cylindrical magnetic arrays can be positioned to receive a moving web substrate through the first, second, and third gaps.

An apparatus and method for magnetizing a magnetizable ink. The apparatus can include a first pair of first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a first gap. The first and second cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a second pair of third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a second gap. The third and fourth cylindrical magnetic arrays can each have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The apparatus can include a third pair of fifth and sixth cylindrical magnetic arrays defining a third gap. The fifth and sixth magnetic array can have alternately spaced magnetized sections that are spaced apart axially by flux conducting elements. The cylindrical magnetic arrays can be positioned to receive a moving web substrate through the first, second, and third gaps.

A powder film forming method includes the steps of: filling an opening with a powder, the opening being formed in a screen plate; and forming the powder film by generating an electric potential difference between the screen plate and a substrate so as to cause the powder, which is filling the opening, to move to the substrate.