The Workings Of The Laser Printer (Neil Kilkenny)
Nov 6, 2010
Inkjet printers are fairly self explanatory. This piece of equipment creates an image on a piece of paper by using tine jets of ink. However, this is really an outdated technology. As modern technologies have advanced, they have led to the introduction of the prestigious laser printer. And the way this printer works is a bit more complicated.
It is rather interesting to see that with laser printing there are some basic scientific principles in practice. The first that we see is static electricity. Static electricity may make your hair stand up after jumping on a trampoline, or it may cause clothing from a dryer to stick together. This is simple a small electrical charge that has been built up on an insulated object.
The laser printer has made use of this temporary attraction by using it as a sort of fake glue. Some basic components of the printer are a drum, and a corona wire that has an electrical charge going through it. This drum slowly revolves, while a laser beam draws the images on it as a pattern of electrical charges. This is essentially an electrostatic image. I
n some laser printers, a light emitting diode is used rather than the laser to transfer the images. These are usually found in the less expensive versions of the laser printer.
After the pattern has been created on the drum, it is coated with a toner in the form of a fine powder. This toner will cling only to the negative discharged areas on the drum, and not the background. When the drum then rolls over a piece of paper, it is charged with the corona wire, allowing the pattern to be easily picked up and transferred to the paper. In another step, the paper is also discharged with another corona wire to keep it from sticking to the drum.
At the end of the printing process, the printed paper will pass through a pair of rollers which have been heated. This is commonly known as the fuser. As the paper with the loose toner powder passes through these hot rollers, the toner melts, creating the finished page as you receive it. Did you ever wonder why the paper is hot when it comes out of the printer? Now you know that this is from the fuser rollers.
The speed at which this process occurs is essential to its success. If the paper moves too slowly, it can either stick to the drum or burn up while under the heated rollers. If the drum does not roll fast enough or in sync with the laser, the images or print will not be transferred correctly.
Color printers are even more involved and represent a technically difficult process. We can truly develop an appreciation for those who have created these newer printers as we recognize the process in which they work. Laser printers have transformed the world of print, especially for consumers. They have allowed all of us to have quick access to professional quality print, improving our daily functions and creating more impressive documents.
About the AuthorI know of a site that is one of the UK's biggest suppliers of printers and printer consumables, with a best selling product being a Samsung A4 colour laser printer, with nearly 60 million worth of stock available for next day delivery, including 12 million worth of printer consumables..