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.

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.

The object of this invention is to transfer, fix and polish images produced by: toner laser printers or inkjet printers, flexographic technology, silkscreen technology, offset technology, printed on reel support (A), on the plastic or metal surface of three-dimensional objects (16), thanks to which it is possible to detach images from the reel support (A) and subsequently transfer them to the surface of said plastic or metal objects (16) by a thermomechanical (1, 10) action.

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.

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 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.

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.

An adhesion apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form, through an electrophotographic process, an adhesive image of a powder adhesive on a sheet that is conveyed; and a control unit configured to control the image forming unit to use a first pattern in a first conveyance period, and use a second pattern different from the first pattern in a second conveyance period following the first conveyance period, as a formation pattern in an adhering section corresponding to part of a width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet.