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In other words,this processis a type of laser-activatedtemporary
engraving.
In theStarLaserPrinter8, twointerconnected unitsproducethecom-
pleteprintingprocess:the tonercartridgeand theprinterbody.
Thetonercartridge(Fig.l-l) containsthedrum,whichis therotating
surface. In the darknessof the toner cartridge,the drum holds a
negativechargeplacedon it by theprimarycoronawirein theprinter
(Fig.1-2). Shuttersonthebottomof thetonercartridgeassurethatno
unwantedlightpenetratesits interior.
Whentextor graphicsare sentby thecomputerto theprinter,a laser
beam is generatedby the semiconductor l aser diode. This beam is
focusedby specialscanningmirrorsthatturnthelightbeamintoa tool
that''writes" or "paints"on the surfaceof thedrum. The areasof the
drumtouchedby thelaserbeamlosetheirnegativechargeandcontain
a reverseimageof the informationsent from the computer. As the
drumrotates,it passesa developerunitthatis alsorotating,but in the
oppositedirection.The surfaceof thedeveloperunitis coveredwith
toner("ink")whichhasa negativecharge. Theneutralized portionsof
thedrum,containing theinformation tobeprinted,pickup negatively
chargedtonerfromthe developerunit.
Fig. 1-1
3
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