Electrophotographic Process - Lexmark C54x Product Study Manual

Lexmark C54x/X54x Color Product Study Guide
C54x/X54x Electrophotographic Process
This color laser printer uses the Electrophotographic process (EP Process) to image toner onto the media
via a tandem (in-line) system. This system contains four color cartridge assemblies (cyan, yellow,
magenta, and black). The Electrophotographic Process steps are as follows:
•
Charge – Photoconductor Drum surface is charged with electricity from the Bias Charge Roll,
•
Expose – the laser (printhead) exposes the photoconductor with light and creates a Latent
Image on the surface,
•
Develop – while in contact with each other, toner from the Developer Roll adheres to the
latent image on the surface of the photoconductor. This happens because of a difference in
charge potential between the two surfaces,
st
•
1 Transfer – an electrical charge is sent to each of the four 1st Transfer Rolls inside the ITU
(Transfer Belt). Due to the difference in charge potential, toner is transferred from the
Photoconductor to the surface of the ITU as it passes each photoconductor.
nd
•
2 Transfer – the media passes in between the Transfer Roller and ITU surfaces. An
electrical charge is sent to the Transfer Roller to create a difference in charge potential.
Because of this difference in charge, toner is transferred from the ITU to the surface of the
media.
•
Fuse – Toner is bonded permanently to the media by heat and pressure.
•
Clean/Erase – The Photoconductor and ITU Belt surfaces are cleaned of residual toner.
This printer does not have erase lamps.
If a component fails, it is important to recognize at which step the failure took place. By knowing this, you
can determine the source of the problem. Understanding the EP Process is the key to troubleshooting
print quality problems.
The next few pages illustrate the various EP Process steps with a cross-sectional of an X54x printer. The
C54x printer has the same components, however, it does not have the Scanner Unit.
For Training Purposes Only 19
Rev 2.6
9/15/2009