ELECTROSTATIC 3-D PRINTER USING ADDRESSABLE UV CROSSLINKING

摘要

A 3-D printer includes a development station (114) positioned to electrostatically transfer layers (102) of material to an intermediate transfer surface (110), and a transfuse station (130) 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 (118) 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 (142) 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.