An apparatus for use in a selective toner electrophotographic process (STEP) additive manufacturing system, the apparatus includes a radiant heat source configured to emit radiation of a first band of wavelengths in the region of a transfuse roller nip; and a pyrometer configured to receive and measure radiation emitted from the region of the transfuse roller nip; wherein the radiation measured by the pyrometer comprises a second band of wavelengths different from the first band of wavelengths emitted by the radiant heat source. The radiant heat source is typically one or more laser light emitters.

A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having an electrophotography engine, a transfer medium, and a layer transfusion assembly includes providing a part material to the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material compositionally comprising a charge control agent, and a thermoplastic material having a heat deflection temperature greater than about 150° C., and has a powder form. The method includes triboelectrically charging the part material to a Q/M ratio having a negative charge or a positive charge, and a magnitude ranging from about 5 micro-Coulombs/gram to about 50 micro-Coulombs/gram and developing layers of the three-dimensional part from the charged part material with the electrophotography engine. The method includes electrostatically attracting the developed layers from the electrophotography engine to the transfer medium and moving the attracted layers to the layer transfusion assembly with the transfer medium, wherein the layer transfusion assembly comprises a nip roller. The method includes transfusing the moved layers to previously-printed layers of the three-dimensional part with by moving the attracted layers about a nip of a nip roller using heat and pressure over time.

In an example, a method includes collecting (102) print agent from a print agent reservoir to form a print agent layer on a first print agent transfer member (204). The print agent layer may be transferred (104) directly from the first print agent transfer member to a second print agent transfer member (206), where the print agent layer may be heated (106). The print agent layer may be applied (108) directly from the second print agent transfer member to a substrate.

In an example, a method includes collecting (102) print agent from a print agent reservoir to form a print agent layer on a first print agent transfer member (204). The print agent layer may be transferred (104) directly from the first print agent transfer member to a second print agent transfer member (206), where the print agent layer may be heated (106). The print agent layer may be applied (108) directly from the second print agent transfer member to a substrate.

A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer, a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer to be discharged from the flexible container, and an urging member 21 for urging a developer accommodating bag toward the frame for accommodating the developer accommodating bag 16. By this, it is possible to satisfactorily effect discharge of the developer from the flexible developer accommodating bag 16.

An image forming apparatus includes an acquisition interface, a developer, and a transferring and fixing device. The acquisition interface acquires image data. The developer supplies toner to an image carrier to form any one of a toner image according to the image data and a toner image of a certain shape pre-determined regardless of the image data. The transferring and fixing device forms an image represented by the image data on an image forming target medium by irradiating a surface of the medium having another surface adjacent to the toner image with light having at least a certain value of a transmittance with respect to the medium to transfer and simultaneously fix some or all of the toner image on the other surface of the medium by the light that is transmitted through the surface of the medium. The toner is melted by the light.

An electrophotographic component includes a substrate and an optional cushioning layer disposed on the substrate. The optional cushioning layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicones, fluorosilicones and fluoroelastomers. An optional release layer is disposed on the substrate and if present, on the optional cushioning layer. The optional release layer comprises a fluoropolymer. The substrate, the optional cushioning layer, the optional release layer, or any combination thereof, comprise a plurality of fluorinated boron nitride nanosheets. The electrophotographic component comprises at least one layer selected from the optional cushioning layer and the optional release layer.

A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer, a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer to be discharged from the flexible container, and an urging member 21 for urging a developer accommodating bag toward the frame for accommodating the developer accommodating bag 16. By this, it is possible to satisfactorily effect discharge of the developer from the flexible developer accommodating bag 16.

A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer, a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer to be discharged from the flexible container, and an urging member 21 for urging a developer accommodating bag toward the frame for accommodating the developer accommodating bag 16. By this, it is possible to satisfactorily effect discharge of the developer from the flexible developer accommodating bag 16.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a transfer member for an image forming device for which the transfer properties for recording media having recesses and protrusions on the surface, such as embossed paper, are superior. The transfer member for an image forming device is characterized by including a base material layer and a coating layer formed from an inorganic/organic hybrid material provided on the surface of the base material layer, the thickness of the coating layer being 10 ?m or less, and the micro hardness of the coating layer surface being 140 mN/mm2 or greater when measured by a method complying with ISO 14577-1 using a Berkovich indenter with a pressing depth of 0.05 ?m.