Electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system with reciprocating operation

An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part, the additive manufacturing system comprising:

• a photoconductor component having a surface;
• first and second development stations located along opposing sides of the photoconductor component, and configured to develop layers on the surface of the photoconductor component;
• a transfer component configured to receive the developed layers from the surface of the photoconductor component;
• a controller configured to rotate the photoconductor component in opposing first and second rotational directions, and to rotate the transfer component in first and second counter rotational directions that are respectively synchronized with and counter to the first and second rotational directions of the photoconductor component;
• a first heater located along a first side of the transfer component, the first heater being configured to heat a first portion of the developed layers on the transfer component while the transfer component rotates in the first counter rotational direction;
• a second heater along a second side of the transfer component that is opposite of the first side of the transfer component, the second heater being configured to heat a second portion of the developed layers on the transfer component while the transfer component rotates in the second counter rotational direction;
• and
• a platen configured to receive the heated layers from the transfer component to print the three-dimensional part from at least a portion of the received heated layers.

A method for printing a three-dimensional part and a support structure, the method comprising:

• developing a layer of the support structure from a first development station onto a surface of a photoconductor component while the photoconductor component is rotating in a first rotational direction;
• transferring the developed layer of the support structure from the surface of the photoconductor component to a transfer component while the transfer component is rotating in a first counter rotational direction that is synchronized with and counter to the first rotational direction of the photoconductor component;
• heating the developed layer of the support structure on the transfer component while the transfer component is rotating in the first counter rotational direction;
• transferring the heated layer of the support structure from the rotatable transfer component to a platen;
• developing a layer of the three-dimensional part from a second development station onto the surface of the photoconductor component while the photoconductor component is rotating in a second rotational direction that is opposite of the first rotational direction;
• transferring the developed layer of the three-dimensional part from the surface of the photoconductor component to the transfer component while the transfer component is rotating in a second counter rotational direction that is synchronized with and counter to the second rotational direction of the photoconductor component;
• heating the developed layer of the three-dimensional part on the transfer component while the transfer component is rotating in the second counter rotational direction;
• and
• transferring the heated layer of the three-dimensional part from the transfer component onto the layer of the support structure previously transferred to the platen.