An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a photo-interrupter, and a separation mechanism. The developing roller is movable between a contact position and a separated position. The photo-interrupter includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The separation mechanism includes a cam configured to move the developing roller between the contact position and the separated position. The cam includes a phase detection wall extending in a circumference direction. The phase detection wall has a first slit and a second slit. The first slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the separated position. The second slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the contact position. A size of the first slit in the circumferential direction is different from that of the second slit.

Apparatus and associated methods are provided for digitally controlled powder deposition. The apparatus comprises a supply chamber configured to maintain a reservoir of powder in a fluidised state, and one or more dispenser elements. The supply chamber is further configured to direct a flow of the fluidised powder from the reservoir to an orifice, causing it to be dispensed from the orifice.

A method of fabricating an object, comprising direct depositing a first layer of first object material on a support substrate electrode; applying a conductive agent material onto the first layer; direct depositing a first layer of charged powder onto the first layer on the support substrate electrode, to form a first powder layer on the first layer on the support substrate electrode. Multiple powder layers may be direct deposited on the first layer. The method may be further comprised of fusing the powder layer(s) to form a first fused layer on the support substrate electrode. A related object fabrication apparatus is also disclosed.

An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a photo-interrupter, and a separation mechanism. The developing roller is movable between a contact position and a separated position. The photo-interrupter includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The separation mechanism includes a cam configured to move the developing roller between the contact position and the separated position. The cam includes a phase detection wall extending in a circumference direction. The phase detection wall has a first slit and a second slit. The first slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the separated position. The second slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the contact position. A size of the first slit in the circumferential direction is different from that of the second slit.

A powder coating apparatus includes: a transport device that transports an object to be coated; an applying unit disposed to be opposed to a surface to be coated of the transported object to be coated and applying a charged thermosetting powder coating material onto the surface to be coated of the object to be coated, that includes an applying section including a cylindrical or columnar applying member that is disposed to be separated from the surface to be coated of the object to be coated, and a supplying section including a cylindrical or columnar supplying member that supplies the powder coating material onto the surface of the applying member; a voltage applying device; and a heating device.