3D printing of complex structures by selective deposition is currently dominated by inkjet technologies. Dry toner systems, despite their high productivity and maturity in 2D digital printing, have only been used indirectly for Additive Manufacture of objects above the micro scale. Although electrophotography (EP) promises increased deposition efficiency and a means of utilizing materials not amenable to liquid ink formulations; this potential cannot be achieved using conventional electrostatic transfer methods.This paper reviews the problems associated with conventional transfer in multilayer printing (including height limitation and defect exaggeration) and demonstrates alternative transfer principles which promise to unlock the potential of Additive Manufacturing by EP.
Jason B. Jones, Greg J. Gibbons, David I. Wimpenny, "Transfer Methods toward Additive Manufacturing by Electrophotography" in Proc. IS&T Int'l Conf. on Digital Printing Technologies and Digital Fabrication (NIP27), 2011, pp 180 - 184, https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2169-4451.2011.27.1.art00046_1