Xerox Corporation

Ronald E Jansen

William G Herbert

Peter J Schmitt

Henry G Grey

Robert P Altavela

John H Lennon

Patricia Bischoping

Lawrence Kotowicz

Joseph C Mammino

Donald S Sypula

Steven J Grammatica

Mark S Thomas

David J Hogle

David H Pan

John Stephen Facci

Andrew R Melnyk

This invention relates to an electroforming device and a process used to electroform a metal layer on an inner surface of a female mandrel. The electrolytic solution flows only through an electrolytic solution passageway that defines the inner surface as the walls of the passageway. The mandrel may include more than one electrolytic solution passageway, or multiple mandrels may be used in a sequential order to mass produce the electroforms.

Electroforming process

There is disclosed an apparatus for depositing metal on a member comprising: (a) a first electrode comprising a first corrugated side; (b) a second electrode having the same polarity as the first electrode and comprising a second corrugated side, wherein the second corrugated side is disposed opposite the first corrugated side, and spaced therefrom; (c) a channel defined by the first corrugated side and the second corrugated side for movement of the member therebetween, wherein the channel has a plurality of alternating expansive areas and constrictive areas; and (d) a conveyor device for transporting the member through the channel.

Apparatus for electrodeposition

An electroforming/electrodeposition process and apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, a channel defined by the first and second electrodes and at least one electrically nonconductive or poorly conductive shield disposed adjacent at least one electrode. The shield(s) define(s) a region of the channel wherein the surface of a mandrel placed in that region experiences substantially uniform current density. The apparatus may contain additional electroforming/electrodeposition and/or other steps and may be arranged in a carousel apparatus with one or more mandrels to permit continuous operation of the apparatus.

Electroforming semi-step carousel, and process for using the same

An apparatus for depositing metal which provides a brushless electrical current continuity between a member, such as an electroforming mandrel or an electroplating rack, and a current source, comprising: (a) an electrode; (b) a member, spaced apart from the electrode, wherein the member defines a space that is partially or fully filled with a first conductive liquid in electrical contact with the member; (c) a second conductive liquid electrically isolated from the electrode; and (d) connecting means for electrically connecting the first conductive liquid and the second conductive liquid.

Brushless electrodeposition apparatus

An apparatus is disclosed for depositing metal on a mandrel which provides a brushless electrical current continuity between the mandrel and a current source, comprising: (a) a metal deposition vessel; (b) an electrode disposed in the vessel; (c) a mandrel disposed in the vessel, spaced apart from the electrode; (d) an electrically conductive liquid disposed in the vessel; (e) an electrolytic solution disposed in the tank; (f) a layer of a substantially electrically nonconductive material disposed between the electrolytic solution and the conductive liquid; and (g) connecting means for electrically connecting the mandrel and the conductive liquid, coupled to the mandrel.

Brushless electroforming apparatus

An endless metal belt resistant to failure due to stress induced by bending contains an internal stress gradient of radially outward increasing compressive stress which opposes external stress applied to the belt. The belt can be made by an electroforming process.

Selectively stressed endless belts

An endless metal belt resistant to failure due to stress induced by bending contains an internal stress gradient of radially outward increasing compressive stress which opposes external stress applied to the belt. The belt can be made by an electroforming process. While electroforming, at least one operating parameter selected from bath temperature, current density, agitation, and stress reducer concentration is adjusted to cause the internal stress to gradually increase, compressively, from the radially inner surface of the belt to the radially outer surface of the belt. The internal stress preferably increases at a substantially constant rate and may range from about 160,000 psi tensile at the inner surface to about 120,000 psi compressive at the outer surface.

Process for preparing selectively stressed endless belts

Polymer films are formed by electrocodeposition of solutions containing a dispersion of charged particles of a first polymer and charged particles of a second polymer. Microheterogeneous films are obtained having micro-domains of a minor component polymer dispersed in the major component polymer. Processes for preparing dispersions for electrocodeposition are also provided In a first process, two polymers are dissolved in a common solvent and then dispersed as small charged particles in another solvent which is a precipitant for both polymers. In another process, a dispersion of a first polymer is prepared by adding a solution of the first polymer to a dispersant solvent, and then a solution of a second polymer is dispersed in the dispersion of the first polymer. In another process, a solution of the second polymer is added to a dispersion of the first polymer which contains only a single non-solvent for the second polymer. In yet another process, a dispersion of the first polymer in a first solvent system is mixed directly with a dispersion of a second polymer in a second solvent system, resulting in a dispersion of the first and second polymers in a resulting solvent system of the first and second solvent systems. In yet another process, a block copolymer composed of two blocks is dissolved in a solvent, and then dispersed in a non-solvent to form the dispersion.

Electrocodeposition of polymer blends for photoreceptor substrates

A process for preparing a multilayered belt includes providing a mandrel having an outer electroforming surface or an inner electroforming surface; and sequentially electrodepositing both a polymer layer and a conductive layer on the electroforming surface of the mandrel to form a multilayered belt.

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Palm City, FL, United States of America

Ronald E Jansen