Freeform fabrication apparatus for rapid prototyping. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes ion-generating equipment (19) for sequentially creating latent ion images of layers of an object to be fabricated. Developing apparatus is provided for adhering at least one object building substance to the sequential latent ion images to create a series of laminae. Thereafter, the series of laminae (35) are assembled to fabricate the object (34).

Apparatus and method of fabricating 3-dimensional objects by means of electrophotography, ionography or a similar process

The present invention provides an electrostatic chuck device with a strong chucking force for use in an ion injection apparatus, an etching apparatus, a sputtering apparatus, an CVD apparatus, etc, which require electrostatic chucking The chuck device is capable of easily loading/unloading an object to be chucked and providing sure grounding for a semiconductor wafer To this purpose, three-phase AC voltages of 1 Hz or less with different phases are applied, and contact pins with pointed tips are provided

Electrostatic chuck device

An apparatus in which a document is printed in at least two different colors. Ions are projected onto the surface of a receiving member to record at least two electrostatic latent images thereon. Each of the electrostatic latent images recorded on the receiving member is developed with different color marking particles. The different color marking particles are transferred substantially simultaneously from the receiving member to the document to print the desired information thereon.

Color printing machine

An electrostatic print head system is disclosed which comprises an ion modulated electrostatic print head, a means for supplying unheated dehumidified air having a relative humidity of less than about 20 percent at or near ambient temperature, and a means for directing the dehumidified air at, near or through the print head. The print head may comprise a modulated aperture board having a plurality of selectively controlled apertures therein and an ion generator for providing ions for electrostatic projection through the apertures. The electrostatic print head system may be used for forming latent electrostatic images and employed in an electrostatic printer which further comprises a means for developing the latent electrostatic images.

Electrostatic printing utilizing dehumidified air

A printhead for electrostatic printing comprises a membrane, made of a non-crystalline ceramic material, defining a first surface and a second surface, and defining a plurality of apertures therein. A plurality of addressable segmented electrodes are disposed on the first surface around substantially the periphery of an aperture on the first surface, each segment of the addressable segmented electrodes being isolated from each other segment. A conductive layer is disposed on the second surface around substantially the periphery of at least one aperture on the second surface. The ceramic membrane facilitates the incorporation of active electronic devices on the printhead.

Ceramic printhead for direct electrostatic printing

An ion generator for the formation of electrostatic images, including two electrodes (32, 34) at opposite faces of a solid dielectric member (31), using a threshold multiplexing principle for the drive circuit. This apparatus provides a drive signal to each electrode to generate ions in an air region adjacent one of the electrodes, which ions are extracted for electrostatic imaging. Two drive signals each consisting of a sinusoidal alternating potential, out of phase by 180o, intermittently induce the production and extraction of ions. Other time-varying potentials of like electrical characteristics may be used, providing a number of operating advantages. The ion generator produces ions only during print periods, and requires reduced power to achieve given ion outputs. The control electrode (33) may be partially encapsulated to limit the discharge region. Drive circuitry such as low source impedance gated oscillators, or other low impedance drivers, reduce capacitive "cross-talk" in a multielectrode device.

Richard A Fotland

Papers

Electrostatic imaging device.