3.7 Given a scenario, install & replace printer consumables Flashcards
What happens in the laser printer’s Processing stage?
(This is the 1st step of laser printer’s imaging process)
Printer’s formatter board converts data to bitmap in printer memory for printing
The formatter board is a circuit board that handles the processing of print data. It converts the data sent from the computer into a format the printer can understand
What happens in the laser printer’s Charging stage?
(This is the 2nd step of laser printer’s imaging process)
The imaging drum is prepared by the Primary Charge Roller (PCR)
The PCR is a metal roller covered with rubber that is powered by a high voltage supply. It applies a consistent negative electrical charge of -600V across the surface of the drum
What happens in the laser printer’s exposing stage?
(This is the 3rd step of laser printer’s imaging process)
Laser light neutralizes the drum’s charge to form the print image
This process results in a pattern of charged and uncharged dots on the drum, forming an electrostatic image of the document to be printed.
What happens in the laser printer’s developing stage?
(This is the 4th step of laser printer’s imaging process)
Toner is applied to the exposed areas of the photosensitive drum
The photosensitive drum is a cylindrical drum coated with a material that becomes conductive when exposed to light. It creates a latent image by selectively holding toner on charged areas, which is then transferred to paper during printing.
What is the laser printer’s laser toner?
Powder used to create text & images on paper
4 components included within a laser printer’s toner cartridge?
- Imaging drum
- Primary Charge Roller (PCR)
- Developer roller
- Toner hopper
What happens in the laser printer’s transferring stage?
(This is the 5th step of laser printer’s imaging process)
Toner is moved from the drum onto the paper
When paper reaches the registration roller, signaling starts the image development process. Paper passes between the imaging drum and the transfer roller, attracting toner. Exiting the transfer assembly, a static eliminator strip removes remaining charge to prevent sticking or curling in the fuser unit.
Purpose of the laser printer’s pickup components?
i.e. pickup roller, separation pad, feed roller, separation roller
Start the paper feed process
What does the laser printer’s pickup roller do?
Rotates once to lift a sheet of paper from the stack in the tray
What does the laser printer’s feed & separation roller assembly consist of?
Rollers that move the paper into the printer
It ensures only 1 sheet is fed at a time by separating the top sheet from the rest of the stack
How do automatic trays differ from manual trays in laser printers?
Use rollers to pick up paper automatically
Laser printers may have manual &/or automatic trays
How do manual trays differ from automatic trays in laser printers?
Uses a separation pad for paper feeding
Laser printers may have manual &/or automatic trays
This typically requires manual intervention to insert paper into the printer
What happens in the laser printer’s Fusing stage?
(This is the 6th step of laser printer’s imaging process)
Paper passes into the fuser assembly
The fuser unit melts toner onto paper by pressing it between a hot metal roller, containing a heat lamp, and a silicon rubber pressure roller. The heat roller has a Teflon coating to prevent toner adhesion.
What happens in the laser printer’s Cleaning stage?
(This is the 7th step of laser printer’s imaging process)
Photosensitive drum is cleaned
This removes any remaining particles with a cleaning blade, roller, or brush on the drum’s surface. Residual electrical charge is eliminated with a discharge lamp or the PCR.
How many times must the early stages of the laser printer cycle be repeated to process a single page?
2-4 times, depending on the size of the paper
This is due to the circumference of the drum, which is smaller than a sheet of paper
What does a laser printer’s duplexing assembly do?
Flips paper to print on other side
If theres no duplexing assembly, the paper is sent out via exit rollers
Without an auto duplex unit, users can manually flip the paper stack. In manual duplex mode, the printer pauses after printing the first side of each sheet. Users must then return the printed pages to the same input paper tray without changing their orientation. They can then resume the print job.
How can a laser printer’s toner cartridge be optimized?
By gently rocking it from front-to-back
How many toner cartridges do color laser printers usually have?
4
Each for the different colors
How to replace a laser printer’s toner cartridge?
Open service panel, remove old cartridge, & insert new cartridge
The old cartridge should be placed in a bag to avoid toner shredding. Remember to gently rock the cartridge before installing it to distribute the toner evenly
How should a laser printer’s exterior be cleaned?
Using damp cloth
What can be used to wipe dust & toner away from a laser printer?
Soft cloth or a toner-safe vacuum
Why shouldn’t a compressed air blaster be used to clean a laser printer?
You risk blowing toner dust into the room, creating a health hazard
Do not use an ordinary domestic vacuum cleaner. Toner is conductie & can damage the motor. Toner is also so fine that it’ll pass through the dust collection bag & back into the room
What to do if toner is spilled on skin or clothes?
Wash it off with cold water
Using hot water can open the pores of your skin & allow toner particles to penetrate more easily
How should a laser printer’s rollers & electronic contacts be cleaned?
With IPA & non-scratch, lint-free, swabs
IPA = Isopropyl Alcohol Solution
Take care not to scratch a roller
What is a laser printer’s maintenance kit?
Set of replacement feed rollers, transfer rollers, & fuser unit
Replacement of the maintenance kit is prompted by the printer’s internal page count. When the printer reaches the specified count, it will display a “Maintenance Kit Replace” message on its status indicator.
What is printer calibration?
Process by which the printer determines how much toner to use
Most printers calibrate themselves automatically. If print output is not as expected, you can often invoke the calibration routine from the printer’s control panel or its software driver
Tradeoff with inkjet printers?
Cheap to buy but expensive to run
i.e. costly consumables like ink cartrides & high-grade paper
Why are inkjet printers less common than laser printers for office use?
They’re slower & often noisier
With the exception for low-volume, good-quality color printing
How do inkjet printers work?
by spraying tiny droplets of ink onto paper
This produces high-quality images, especially on treated paper. However, the prints can smear & fade.
2 types of inkjet print heads?
- Piezoelectric
- Thermal
How do Piezoelectric inkjet print heads work?
Uses electric charges to push ink out
How do thermal inkjet print heads work?
Uses heat to create ink bubbles that burst & spray ink
What Inkjet printer brand uses Piezolectric print heads?
Epson
These companies often license their technology to other vendors.
What Inkjet printer brand uses Thermal print heads?
- HP
- Canon
- Lexmark
These companies often license their technology to other vendors.
What is the tradeoff With thermal laser printer print heads?
Cheaper to produce, but its heating elements have a short lifespan
This is due to the heating elements
How do inkjet printers build up an image?
Line by line
How does an inkjet printer’s print head move back & forth over a paper?
Via carriage system
The carriage system is the mechanism that holds and moves the print head and ink cartridges back and forth across the paper during printing
2 ways a inkjet printer may apply ink to paper?
- When print head moves in 1 direction only
- When print head moves out & when it returns
How is an inkjet printer’s print head connected to the main circuit board?
Via ribbon cable
What does the inkjet printer’s Stepper Motor do?
This is part of the inkjet printer’s carriage system. The carriage system is the mechanism that holds and moves the print head and ink cartridges back and forth across the paper during printing
Drives the moment
What does the inkjet printer’s Pulley & Belt do?
This is part of the inkjet printer’s carriage system. The carriage system is the mechanism that holds and moves the print head and ink cartridges back and forth across the paper during printing
Transmits the motor’s movement to print head
What does the inkjet printer’s Guide Shaft do?
Keeps print head stable & aligned