The simple-looking cartridge contains the photoconductor drum that is the heart of the printing operation, but it also contains multiple components that have other important roles.
Chemical and electrical processes are carried out within the cartridge in order to faithfully reproduce on paper the images of the data you want to print.
In order to maximize image quality, it is important that the printer characteristics, the toner, and the photoconductor drum all match each other to the greatest degree possible.
1.After voltage is applied by the printer, the charging unit releases electricity to apply an equal charge to the entire surface of the photoconductor drum.
2.A laser projects the print data on the surface of the photoconductor drum, and then a chemical reaction takes place on the drum's surface. Since this projection process takes place repeatedly, with durability considerations in mind, the surface of the photoconductor drum is made with material that provides the optimum match with the wavelength of the laser of the printer itself.
- When there are flaws on the photoconductor drum, the surface is not properly exposed to the laser beam so characters are not cleanly reproduced.
3.The developer unit applies toner to the areas that were exposed to the laser. The uniform distribution of toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum is a key factor in printing beautiful images so it is important that the toner particles be evenly applied.
- If characteristics are not properly matched, there is toner that does not attach to the photoconductor drum so it flies around inside of the printer, thereby soiling the paper and damaging the printer itself.
- When toner builds up between gears, the paper cannot be properly advanced so paper jams result.
- When toner particles are not evenly applied, they can accumulate and overlap, thereby causing character edges to become uneven and small characters to be obscured when the toner is transferred to the paper.
The developer unit applies toner to the areas that were exposed to the laser. The uniform distribution of toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum is a key factor in printing beautiful images so it is important that the toner particles be evenly applied.
- When the paper passes under a photoconductor drum with toner applied, the image transfer roller applies an electrical charge to the back of the paper. This attracts the toner to the paper, thereby transferring it to the paper's surface.
The application of heat melts the toner on the paper and pressure fixes it to the paper. Toner characteristics and roller temperature are fine tuned to the optimum levels.
- When the characteristics are not suitably matched, the toner is not properly fixed to the paper so toner comes off on your fingers when viewing the printed materials.
- Toner can get on the hot roller, thereby smudging the characters printed.
- The above descriptions may differ depending on evaluation methods or conditions.
- It does not imply that the malfunctions mentioned above will occur with all non-Ricoh supplies.