Lexmark International, Inc.

3d Systems, Inc.

Ahren Michael Hoy

Michael David Maul

Trey Dustin Gilliam

Turner Ashby Cathey

Alexander J Geyling

Brian Lester Boettcher

Brian Lee Hawes

Joshua Carl Poterjoy

Christopher David Strack

Jose Paul Sacoto Aguilar

An additive manufacturing system for producing a three-dimensional article includes a print engine, a post-fabrication powder removal apparatus, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The post fabrication removal apparatus includes a rotary frame defining an internal receptacle cavity, a plurality of clamps coupled to a corresponding plurality of actuators, a clamping plate coupled to a lift apparatus, and an agitation device mounted to the clamping plate. The controller is configured to perform the following steps: (1) Operate the transport mechanism to transport the build box to the internal receptacle cavity. (2) Operate the plurality of actuators to engage the build box with the plurality of clamps to secure the build box to the rotary frame. (3) Operate the rotary frame to rotate the build box until unfused powder begins to exit the build box. (4) Operate the agitation device to facilitate pouring of the unfused powder from the build box.

Efficient bulk unfused powder removal system and method

A cleaner assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a cleaner blade having a pair of longitudinal ends and a cleaning edge that extends between the pair of longitudinal ends for contacting a surface of a photoconductive drum to remove toner from the surface of the photoconductive drum. An end seal is positioned at one of the pair of longitudinal ends of the cleaner blade. The end seal includes a front side positioned to contact the surface of the photoconductive drum and a rear side opposite the front side. A tab extends from the end seal across the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade for preventing a longitudinal end section of the cleaning edge of the cleaner blade from contacting the surface of the photoconductive drum. The tab does not obstruct the front side of the end seal.

Cleaner assembly for removing waste toner in an electrophotographic image forming device

A cleaner assembly according to one embodiment includes a cleaner blade that extends upward in a cantilevered manner and that includes a cleaning edge for contacting a surface to remove toner from the surface. A waste toner sump is positioned adjacent to a rear side of the cleaner blade for storing toner removed from the surface by the cleaner blade. A film seal extends in a cantilevered manner toward the rear side of the cleaner blade and contacts the rear side of the cleaner blade along a longitudinal length of the cleaner blade. A foam seal is positioned between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the wall below the contact between the rear side of the cleaner blade and the film seal. The foam seal extends along the longitudinal length of the cleaner blade.

Cleaner blade sealing in an electrophotographic image forming device

An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a charge roll and a bracket that extends along an axial length of the charge roll. First and second bearing retainers are positioned on a first axial end and a second axial end of the bracket, respectively. First and second bearings are pivotally mounted to the first and second bearing retainers, respectively. Each of the first and second bearings has a charge roll opening that supports a respective axial end of a shaft of the charge roll. First and second biasing members act on the first and second bearings, respectively. The first and second biasing members bias the charge roll toward an operative position for charging a photoconductive drum. A direction of force from the first biasing member on the first bearing and from the second biasing member on the second bearing is toward the bracket.

Charge roll mounting assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Ahren Michael Hoy