Laser Toner Cartridges
Data to be printed is downloaded from a PC, server, or smart device to the printer. A hot wire passes a positive charge electrostatically to a photosensitive drum. A laser beam transfers the digital image from the computer directly onto the drum as it reflects off a moving mirror. Wherever the beam hits the drum, the charge is changed from positive to negative. Only the negatively charged areas attract toner particles. A roller full of positively charged microscopic particles coats the drum. Positively charged toner particles adhere to the negatively charged areas on the drum unit.
A positively charged sheet of paper is then passed close to the drum, attracting the negatively charged particles off the drum and onto the paper. The paper, now carrying the image, is passed between two heated rollers where heat and pressure from the rollers melt (fuse) the particles, which are mostly made up of plastic and pigment, to the paper. The image is now permanently fused to the surface of the paper. Without the application of heat, the unfused powder could be dusted off the page. Print technology based on laser toner cartridges is typically aimed at commercial users. These printers are usually more durable and capable of higher print volumes between maintenance calls than ink-based machines.
Read More on ink cartridges Here.
What is Inside Laser Toner Cartridges?
Rather than containing a liquid like ink, laser toner cartridges contain a dry mixture of powder. Laser toner cartridges may contain only black or may have cyan, magenta, yellow, and black units. Toner powder consists of ultra-finely ground plastic polymer particles or pigments (colouring agents) to produce an image on a page. A plastic protective strip called a seal runs along the main roller of the cartridge to seal the gap between the application rollers and a device called a doctor blade. The seal prevents the fine powder from spilling out of the cartridge prior to installation into a printer. The doctor blade controls the amount of powder dispensed onto a roller known as the developer roller, where the charging of the toner occurs. You will also see the photosensitive drum, a small diameter charge roller, and a hopper or container that holds the toner. A retractable flap covers the drum to protect it from light before it is installed.
Who Makes Laser Toner Cartridges?
The manufacturers of printers and copiers obviously make replacement consumables for the machines they manufacture. These are known as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) laser toner cartridges and are manufactured specifically to fit your device. OEM laser toner cartridges are, therefore, generally reliable and manufactured to strict quality standards. They have very low failure rates, produce high-quality prints, and come with some form of warranty. They are significantly more expensive than the other options available.
New compatible laser toner cartridges, made by third-party manufacturers using all new compatible parts, are also available. Some new compatible cartridges may offer good quality for a lower price than OEMs.
There is a plethora of compatible cartridges on the market, and it is often difficult to tell which ones are good, making it easy to inadvertently buy an inferior product. Find a reputable distributor and ask about the warranties on their products. New compatible laser toner cartridges are a good choice if you need to reduce your print costs.
Many manufacturers offer cartridge recycling programmes. The empty cartridges are returned to the manufacturer, taken apart, and inspected, and worn parts are replaced before the cartridge is refilled, tested, and then reintroduced into the market. Remanufactured units offer good value as they will generally cost a little less than a new compatible unit. The quality is usually good, and most will come with a warranty. They are viewed as environmentally friendly because the bulk of the old unit is recycled. Quality can vary greatly, so it is important to buy from a vendor that offers a warranty. The cheapest and lowest-quality option is using a refilled laser cartridge. A used cartridge is simply refilled. There is no inspection and worn parts are not replaced. The quality of the output and wide variances in the yield (number of prints produced) makes refilled units an extremely risky proposition. The internal mechanical components of laser printer cartridges are designed to last for the expected duration of one full hopper and maybe a little bit more. They are not designed for multiple refill cycles. Refilled units will almost invariably be unreliable and produce poor quality output and unsatisfactory yields. It is far better to buy an OEM, new compatible or remanufactured unit from a reputable vendor like Raydian.