Consumables Basics - Cartridge Toner

Cartridge classification and structural features

First, the cartridge classification

Cartridges are the most important consumables for laser printers. Laser printer cartridges can be divided into the following three categories by combination:

Integrated cartridge: Photoconductor drum (drum), drum (development roller) and toner cartridge are integrated cartridges. This type of cartridge does not allow the user to add toner in principle because of the design structure, but as the technology is updated, such toner cartridges can also be added with toner.

Dual-body toner cartridge: refers to the cartridge as two separate parts: one for the photosensitive drum and the other for the drum and toner cartridge. When users run out of toner, they only need to replace the drum and toner cartridge instead of replacing the photosensitive drum.

Three-body cartridge: refers to the cartridge as three separate parts: photosensitive drum, drum, toner cartridge. When the user runs out of toner, he only needs to replace the toner cartridge. Some manufacturers call it toner separation technology.

For two-body and three-body cartridges, they also need to be replaced when their service life is reached. The photoconductive drum coated with a photosensitive material of a metal selenium alloy has been approved by most laser printer manufacturers due to its superior performance and reliability. HP, Xerox, Lexmark, Shida and other manufacturers of laser printers have selected toner cartridges.

Second, the cartridge maintenance

1. Do not expose the cartridge directly to sunlight or other strong light sources;

2. Do not replace the toner cartridge under strong light, and complete the installation as soon as possible;

3, cartridge light barrier shielding the external light source to protect the cartridge, do not open the photosensitive drum light barrier;

4, do not touch the surface of the drum;

5, do not put the cartridge in a hot, humid place;

6. Make sure the cartridge is clear of the monitor, hard drive, floppy disk drive, or any magnetic material.

Third, the structure of the cartridge

1. Photoconductor drum: The photoconductor drum is the heart of a one-piece toner cartridge. All other components are distributed around the photoreceptor drum, playing a different role centered on the drum. In the imaging process, the photosensitive drum is charged and laser irradiated, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface to form a visible toner image.

2, magnetic roller: the development roller, is one of the components that have the greatest impact on image density. It is responsible for sucking toner out of the silo and rubbing it with carbon powder to charge the toner. Due to the effect of the developing bias on the magnetic roller, the charged toner “jumps”.

3, scraping knife: scraper knife is installed under the magnetic stick, is responsible for controlling the thickness of the magnetic roller layer adsorbed on the magnetic roller, and to help frictional toner charged.

4, the silo: the so-called silo is used to install toner warehouse, some of the silo has a stirrer to ensure the smooth supply of toner.

5, waste toner warehouse: used to store waste powder warehouse. The toner image formed on the surface of the drum cannot be transferred to the print medium 100%, leaving a part of the surface of the drum. Before the next image formation, the scraping blade scrapes it and collects it in the waste toner box.

6. Cleaning blade: It is responsible for removing the toner remaining on the drum after image transfer.

7, conductive rod: Some powder cartridge silo outlet has a carbon sensor rod, such as C3900A/C4092A, etc., for sensing the amount of carbon germanium, when the toner is not enough, the gap between the magnetic roller and the conductive rod, The machine will show that toner is running out and the TONERLOW signal appears.

8, charge roller: responsible for charging and discharging the photosensitive drum.

Toner characteristics and technical parameters

First, technical parameters

The quality of the printed document is mainly determined by the printer's properties, the physical and mechanical properties of the cartridge, and the quality of the carbon powder. The effects of the toner composition on the image quality mainly include the following aspects:

Resin - the main imaging material that constitutes the main component of carbon powder;

Carbon black, the main imaging substance, has the function of adjusting the color depth, which is usually called blackness.

Magnetic Iron Oxide - In the magnetic force of the magnetic roller, it can carry the carbon powder adsorbed on the magnetic roller.

Charge Control Particles - The amount of charge after the toner has been controlled gives the toner a uniform charge.

Lubricants (Silicon Grains) - Lubricates and controls triboelectric charge.

Hot-melt plastics (plasticizers)—Controls the melting point of the carbon powder and carries the carbon powder in the molten state. The enamel penetrates the paper fibers to form a final, firm image.

Second, toner use matters needing attention

Use environment: temperature 10 ~ 35 °C, humidity 20 ~ 80%.

Print media: Do not use paper that is wrinkled, wet, deformed, or extremely thick (especially business card type thick paper). Too thick and hard paper can quickly damage the drum, resulting in a drop in print quality and even damage that cannot be repaired.

The toner must be shaken before use, and then put it for a while.

Toner parameters:

Darkness ≥1.3 (High quality copy blackness: 1.2-1.4, international blackness is 1.0)

Bottom ash ≤ 0.9 page consumption ≤ 60mg

Particle size 6-8um

---Printing supplies network