Professional Documents
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Table of Contents
Handling Paper .
Photocopying Processes ....
Digital Processes ..
Process Control
Color Processes
Standard Components .
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Handling Paper
Overview
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For most machines, paper handling can be broken into six main procedures: feed, registration,
transport, duplexing, misfeed detection and finishing. Originals are handled in a similar, though
separate, fashion.
Paper handling begins at the paper sourcethis could be a paper tray, cassette, roll, or a single,
hand-fed sheet in the by-pass tray. The paper feed process ensures that the paper is positioned and
ready for use. It also feeds the paper into the main unit, and separates sheets of paper so that only
one sheet is fed at a time.
Registration ensures that each sheet is positioned properly for printing. Registration typically
addresses two issues: timing and skew. For timing, it synchronizes the image on the photoconductor
with the paper. It ensures that the leading edge of the paper matches the leading edge of the
developed image. Meanwhile, skew control ensures that the paper is lined up straight. It
compensates for slight rotations to the paper during paper feed.
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Handling Paper
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Paper Path
Paper transport is merely moving the paper. Paper is usually transported from paper feed to
registration, from paper separation to fusing, and from fusing to the finisher or output tray.
Not all machines are capable of double-sided printing; however, those that are must have some type
of duplex unit. The duplex process redirects the paper, allowing information to be printed on both
sides of a single sheet. For duplexing, paper can be handled either inside the main unit or using
external duplex units.
Misfeed detection uses a combination of sensors along the paper path to track the progress of each
sheet of paper. These sensors help detect paper jams, determining when and where a jam takes
place
Finally, after they are printed, the sheets can be stacked, sorted, directed to various output trays or
bins, stapled, punched, or otherwise processed. Finishing processes can take place inside the main
unit itself or can be handled by a finishing unit.
Paper Path
The paper path is, basically, the path that the paper travels from the paper source to the output tray.
Most machines have a branching paper paththe paper can come from more than one source, and
can be directed to more than one finishing process or output tray. Most paper paths can run through
all six processes. There are two basic designs for the paper path. Most machines use a variation of
these.
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Handling Paper
Paper Path
Vertical Path
Here, the paper is stored in the lower
portion of the machine. Each sheet is fed
from the paper source, transported
vertically up the machine, then fed to the
registration rollers and development
section. Sometimes a shorter, straight path
runs from the by-pass tray, this can be
used to handle paper stocks that cannot
run through the main paper path.
Duplexing is handled through either an
internal, horizontal duplexing unit or an
external, vertical duplexing unit.
The illustration shows the A265. Paper is
stored in paper trays or fed in the by-pass
tray. The copier uses an external duplexing
unit. Finished sheets can be routed to a
variety of output trays or to the finisher.
Note: in this machine even the
development unit and fusing unit are vertical. The horizontal path across the top of the machine is
merely to transport sheets to the finisher. Also, this copier does not provide a straight paper path
from the by-pass tray. This layout is used in many new copiers and multifunction products.
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Paper Path
Horizontal Path
Here the paper travels a generally
horizontal path from the paper
source to the finisher or output tray.
A straight, horizontal paper path
reduces the likelihood of paper
jams. It may also improve speed, or
to allow a wider variety of paper
stocksparticularly heavier paper
stocks.
In some color machines, a
development process called
tetradrive uses a horizontal path.
Four development units are placed
in a line. This provides quick, high
quality color printing.
Unfortunately, the horizontal paper path is not as compact as the vertical path. These machines tend
to be larger.
The illustration above shows the A294. Paper from the LCT follows a traditional, horizontal paper
path. However, paper from the main units trays follows a largely vertical transport path. (Pure
horizontal systems have become quite rare.) Also, unlike the A265, the copy processes are aligned
horizontally. This machine also includes a finisher and an internal, horizontal duplex unit.
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Paper Feed
Paper feed is the separation of a single sheet of paper from a paper sourceusually a stack of
paper in a cassette or trayand moving it into the machine.
frr1.jpg
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Paper Feed
There is a one-way bearing inside the feed roller so it can turn only
in one direction. The reverse roller turns in the opposite direction as
the feed roller. A slip clutch (torque limiter clutch) drives the reverse
roller, however, allowing it to turn in either direction depending on
the friction between the rollers. A spring keeps the reverse roller in
contact with the feed roller.
The direction that the reverse roller [A] turns depends on the
frictional forces acting on it. The slip clutch applies a constant
clockwise force (F1). When there is a single sheet of paper being
frr3.tif
driven between the rollers, the force of friction between the feed
roller [B] and the paper (F2) is greater than F1. So, the reverse
roller turns counterclockwise.
If two or more sheets are fed between the rollers, the forward force
on the second sheet (F3), becomes less than F1 because the low
coefficient of friction between the two sheets. So, the reverse roller
starts turning clockwise and drives the second sheet back to the
cassette.
frr2.tif
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Friction Pad
[A]
[B]
020117.tif
1>2>3
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Handling Paper
020118.tif
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Paper Feed
Friction roller
The paper separation mechanism for the friction roller uses
the same principles as the paper separation method for the
friction pad.
The two main components are the paper feed roller and the
friction roller. When the paper feed roller rotates, the top
sheet of paper is fed. The second sheet also tries to feed, but
as the friction force between the friction roller and the second
sheet is greater than that between the first and second
sheets, only the first sheet of paper is fed.
fricroll1.tif
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Separation Belt
The separation belt system (also called the
friction belt system) primarily feeds sheets from
the bottom of a stack. It is commonly employed in
automatic document feeders (ADFs) and in
duplexing systems.
The separation belt feed mechanism is similar to
the friction pad and friction roller systems; it
exploits the difference in friction resistance to
separate a single sheet of paper. However, unlike
these two systems, the separation belt does not
passively resist the passage of extra sheets of
paper; it turns against the movement of the paper
to feed back all but the bottom sheet.
The mechanism shown to the right is from the
DF62.
[B]
[A]
A610d506.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Separation Tab
The separation tab separation system is a
variation of the separation belt system. It is used
in slower feeding ADF units.
[C]
[D]
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Corner Separator
[B]
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Handling Paper
[C]
[A]
cor_sep.tif
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Paper Feed
Air Knife
The air knife paper feed process uses jets of air to
separate sheets of paper for paper feed. The air
knife method (also called air separation method)
is suitable for high speed copying and printing
systems because it reduces the feed roller marks
and paper deformation that can occur in high
speed feeding.
The duplex paper feed mechanism of model A112
(right) uses a combination of air knife and FRR
feed mechanisms. The air knife directs jets of air
at the bottom of the paper stack to separate the
sheets of paper. A vacuum fan holds the bottom
sheet against the transport belt. The separation
roller allows only the bottom sheet to feed.
airknife.tif
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Paper Cassette
A paper cassette is a removable paper tray. A
cassette is taken out of the machine to load paper
and then reinserted in a cassette holder or
cassette entrance.
cassett1.tif
cassett2.tif
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Paper Feed
Paper Tray
A paper tray is a non-removable drawer or bin that
is permanently built into or attached to the
machine. The capacity of paper trays varies
considerably; smaller trays typically hold 250 to
500 sheets of paper, but large capacity trays hold
a paper stock of 1000 or more sheets.
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500_sheet_tray.tif
1700_sheet_tray.tif
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
a195d602.wmf
[C]
a195d569.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
user must stop pushing the paper in when the bypass feed indicator goes out.
When the Start key is pressed, the by-pass feed
clutch [C] and the pick-up solenoid turn on to feed
the top sheet of paper.
When there is no paper on the by-pass feed table,
the paper end feeler [D] drops into the cutout in
the lower guide plate and the by-pass feed paper
end sensor [E] is deactivated.
[B]
[C]
[E]
[D]
a195d604.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Paper Roll
Wide format copiers and machines that use a
thermal printing process commonly feed paper
from a roll.
The illustration to the right shows the main
components of a roll feeding systemthe paper
feed rollers [A], the paper roll [B], the cutter unit
[C], and the paper leading edge sensor [D].
sr740-4.pcx
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Paper Feed
Cutter Operation
The illustration to the right shows the type of roll
paper cutter used by wide format copiers.
This cutter unit uses a sliding rotary cutting blade
[A] that is pulled past a fixed blade by a drive wire.
The rotary cutting blade allows the cutter unit to
cut paper in both directions. There are home
position switches [B] at both ends of the cutter
unit. The cutter motor turns off, stopping the
cutting action, when the rotary cutting blade knob
plate [C] turns off one of these switches.
Some smaller products such as thermal fax
machines and white-board printers use similar
cutters to cut roll thermal paper.
sr740-7.pcx
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
Switch Combination
The illustration to the right shows a paper size
detection mechanism commonly used with
cassettes and smaller paper trays.
A block of five microswitches [A] detects the paper
size. The switches are actuated by an actuator
plate [B] on the cassette or tray. (Generally, such
an actuator is set manually.) Each paper size has
its own unique switch combination and the CPU
determines the paper size by the combination.
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[B]
[A]
a229d614.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
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1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sensor
3
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
4
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
5
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
rt17dial.pcx
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
[B]
[A]
g020d025.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
[B]
[A]
a171d539.pcx
[C]
[E]
[E]
[D]
a171d621.pcx
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Paper Feed
[B]
[C]
[A]
g020d030.wmf
[A]
[C]
g020d534.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
[A]
[B]
[C]
endfeeler1.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
[A
[C]
[B]
[D]
endfeeler2.wmf
endfeeler3.pcx
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Handling Paper
Paper Feed
[B]
[A]
[C]
rollendsensor.wmf
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Handling Paper
Registration
Registration
Overview
There is often some slippage during paper feed. As a result, paper cannot be transported directly to
the image transfer or printing position, because the image position on the paper would not be stable.
After paper feed starts, its transport timing requires adjustment to match it with the imaging process
timing. This alignment is called image registration or just registration. Generally the registration
process also removes any skew that the paper may have acquired during paper feed.
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Handling Paper
Registration
[A]
[C]
[B]
a227d517.wmf
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Handling Paper
Registration
[C]
[B]
[A]
G020registration.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Transport
Paper Transport
Roller Transport
The illustration to the right shows a typical vertical
transport mechanism that is used in several
models.
Three sets of vertical transport rollers [A], driven
by the paper feed motor, and their opposing idle
rollers [B] are mounted in vertical guide plates [C].
They transport the paper from each feed unit to
the registration rollers.
[C]
[A]
[B]
vertrans.wmf
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Handling Paper
Paper Transport
belt_vac.wmf
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Handling Paper
Duplex
Duplex
Duplexing mechanisms can take many forms. However, they have the following things in common.
They all have some way of sending copies or prints to the duplex mechanism. This is usually
accomplished by a junction gate, which redirects the paper as it exits from the fusing unit.
There is a mechanism that turns the paper over (reverses it) so that it is ready to receive an image
on the reverse side. This can occur before the paper enters the duplex tray or after it exits the
duplex tray.
Duplexing systems in most machines also have the following mechanisms.
There is a tray to hold the sheets of paper to be duplexed. Usually, it is simply "called the duplex
tray.
There is a mechanism, usually called a jogger, to align the sheets of paper in the duplex tray.
There is a paper feed mechanism employing one of the standard paper separation techniques.
Duplex Tray
A duplex tray holds sheets for multi-copy duplexing. The following example illustrates the basic
operation of a commonly used duplex tray system.
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Handling Paper
Duplex
[A]
a195d577.wmf
[C]
[G]
[B]
[F]
[E]
a195d578.wmf
[D]
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Duplex
[C]
[A]
[G]
A195jog1.wmf
[D]
[B]
[F]
A195jog2.wmf
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Handling Paper
Duplex
10.5
mm
8.7
mm
A195jog3.wmf
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Handling Paper
Duplex
[B]
[A]
[C]
[D]
A171D546.wmf
[E]
[F]
[H]
[G]
A171D545.wmf
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Handling Paper
Duplex
Interleave Duplexing
Overview
Some digital machines have a lot of RAM and a large capacity hard disk that can store many pages.
This allows a different method of duplexing called interleave duplexing, in which sheets are not
stacked. Instead, in interleave duplexing, sheets are continuously fed through the machine and the
correct image is selected from memory or disk depending on which sheet and side is in the imaging
section.
This type of mechanism allows more than one page to be processed at once, and it increases the
productivity of duplex imaging, especially when making multiple duplex copies. Also, in the case of
making copies from paper originals, it decreases the cycling of and the wear on originals.
Example: Model A229
For paper lengths up to A4/Letter lengthwise, the top duplex speed is possible, with the duplex unit
processing three sheets of copy paper at the same time.
For paper longer than this, the duplex tray can still process two sheets of copy paper at once.
In case of single-set duplex copy job, the duplexing processes only one sheet of copy paper at a
time.
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Handling Paper
Duplex
Up to A4/Letter lengthwise
The duplex unit can process three sheets at of copy paper at once.
Example: A 14-page copy. The large numbers in the illustration show the order of pages. The small
numbers in circles show the order of sheets of copy paper (if shaded, this indicates the second side).
6
3
11
6
8
4
13
7
10
5
12
6
9
5
14
7
A229D550.WMF
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Handling Paper
Duplex
A229D545.WMF
A229D546.WMF
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Duplex
A229D547.WMF
6.
7.
8.
9.
The 1st sheet is fed out (1st and 2nd pages printed).
The 4th sheet is directed to the duplex unit.
The back of the 2nd sheet is printed (4th page).
The 5th sheet is fed.
A229D548.WMF
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Handling Paper
Duplex
10. The 2nd sheet is fed out (3rd and 4th pages printed).
11. The 5th sheet is printed (9th page) and directed to the
duplex unit.
12. The back of the 3rd sheet (6th page) is printed.
13. The 6th sheet is fed and printed (11th page).
A229D549.WMF
14. The 3rd sheet (5th and 6th pages) is fed out
15. The back of the 4th sheet (8th page) is printed.
16. The 7th sheet is fed and printed (13th page).
A229D583.WMF
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Duplex
18. The 4th and 5th sheets are fed out (pages 7 to 10).
19. The back of the 6th (12th page) and 7th (14th page)
sheets are printed.
20. The 6th and 7th sheets are fed out (pages 11 to 14).
A229D584.WMF
When copying on A3 or 11 x 17 paper, the process is similar, but only two sheets at a time can be
processed. For details, refer to the service manual for model A229.
For another example of interleave duplexing, refer to the service manual of the A687 duplex unit.
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Handling Paper
Misfeed Detection
Misfeed Detection
Office machines that print images on paper (copiers, fax, laser printers, etc.) have to detect paper
misfeeds and jams and take appropriate action. One or more sensors placed along the paper path
accomplish misfeed detection. Typically, photointerrupters with feeler actuators are used for misfeed
detection because they are unaffected by the reflectivity or transparency of the feed stock.
The number of misfeed detectors used depends on the length and complexity of the paper path. The
following timing chart, from model A226/A227, is an example of misfeed check timing in a low-end
machine.
0
(second)
Start Key
Main Motor
Paper Feed
Clutch
Registration
Sensor
Registration
Solenoid
1.2
PE
ON Check
Paper Length
Detection
2.9
6.7
OFF Check
3.5
6.7
12.4
Exit Sensor
ON Check
A227d519.wmf
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Misfeed Detection
This machine uses the registration sensor and the exit sensor to detect misfeeds. The CPU checks
each sensor twicefirst it does an ON check to confirm paper arrival and then it performs an OFF
check to confirm that the paper has passed the sensor.
Larger machines have more complex paper paths and transport paper at higher speeds. The
illustration on the following page shows the misfeed sensors along the paper path of model A112.
Model A112 uses 20 sensors to detect misfeeds. This is a high-speed machine (101 cpm) and,
therefore, paper transport timing is much more critical than in a low-speed machine. For that reason
the CPU does not just perform simple ON and OFF checks at points during the copy cycle. Instead,
for each sensor, it monitors two critical periods. For both the ON and OFF checks, the sensor may
change state within a period that is -93.6 ms and +117 ms from the standard check timing.
f5jam1.pcx
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Handling Paper
Misfeed Detection
f5jam1.pcx
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
Handling Originals
Most office machines that scan or copy paper documents are equipped with a document feeder.
These feeders are variously called automatic document feeders (ADF), auto reversing document
feeders (ARDF), or automatic document handlers (ADH); however, we will refer to them all as
document feeders in this section. While document feeders vary in mechanical and operational
details, they generally have to do the following basic tasks:
In this section, we will look at typical ways that these tasks are accomplished, and at specific
examples of each.
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
Document Feed
Document feed is a special case of paper feed, which was covered earlier in this chapter. Most
document feeders use one of three paper-feed methods. These are:
Separation Belt
The separation belt system is covered earlier in
this chapter. This system is also called the friction
belt system. This system is mainly used in
document feeders that feed sheets from the bottom
of the original stack.
The illustration to the right shows the feed system of
the DF61/DF64. For details on the feed mechanism
of this ADF, refer to the service manuals for the
DF61 and DF64 (used with model A133).
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
Separation Tab
The separation tab system is covered earlier in
this chapter. This system, which is also called the
friction tab system, is used in document feeders
when a straight paper feed path is required.
The illustration to the right shows the feed system
of the document feeder of model A084. For more
details, refer to the ARDF section of the service
manual for model A084.
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
[D]
[A]
[B]
[E]
[C]
[B]
[C]
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
[B]
[D]
[C]
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
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Handling Paper
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Handling Originals
Original Transport
This section deals with transporting the document after document feed.
Original Transport falls into two major classes based on the document scanning method. One type of
document feeder transports the document past fixed optics. In such document feeders the document
never stops; transport and feed-out occur as one continuous process. This will be the first
mechanism examined in this section.
The second type of document feeder positions the document on an exposure glass, where it is
scanned by moving optics. Such document feeders usually have several other transport functions.
We will look at belt transport, skew correction, document inversion, and feed-out as separate original
transport processes in such machines.
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
Transport Belt
Most document feeders use a roller driven belt to position documents on the exposure glass.
Example: Model A294
[B]
[A]
[C]
[E]
[D
Handling Paper
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Handling Originals
Skew Correction
Skew correction compensates for any misalignment (original skew) that occurs when the original is
transported to the exposure glass by the document feeder. The original is pushed against a scale,
after transport to the exposure glass, to align it properly.
Example: Model A294
The transport belt motor remains
energized to carry the original about 7
mm past the left scale [A] (see the
middle drawing). Then the motor stops
and reverses to feed the original back
against the left scale (see the bottom
drawing). This forces the original to hit
the left scale, which aligns the trailing
edge to minimize original skew on the [A]
exposure glass.
After a two-sided original has been
inverted to copy the 2nd side, it is fed
in from the inverter against the left
scale (see the bottom drawing; the top
two drawings do not apply in this mode).
If a thin original mode is available (and is selected), skew correction does not occur. This prevents
damage to the thin originals.
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Handling Originals
Original Inversion
Document feeders must invert (or turn over) documents to copy the reverse side orwith some
designsto return documents to their original order. Document feeders have various mechanisms
for inverting originals. Most involve routing the document around a roller (or rollers) using solenoidactuated gates. The example shown below is typical.
Example: Model A294
When the DF receives the original invert signal
from the copier, the transport belt motor, feed-out
motor, exit gate solenoid [A], and inverter gate
solenoid [B] turn on and the original is fed back to
the exposure glass through the inverter roller [C],
exit gate [D], inverter guide roller [E], inverter gate
[F], and inverter roller.
The transport belt motor turns in reverse shortly
after the leading edge of the original turns on the
inverter sensor [G], and feeds the original to the
left scale.
[F]
[B]
[E]
[G]
[D]
[A]
[C]
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Handling Originals
Original Exit
Document feeders switch gates within the exit/inverter section to direct documents to the exit tray.
Most document feeders have only one exit tray, which necessitates inverting the documents twice to
keep them in proper order. However, the example below has two exit trays one for duplex mode and
the other for normal mode; so, throughput can remain high with only a single inversion required in
duplex mode.
Example: Model A294
Single-sided Original Mode
The exit gate solenoid [A] remains off and the original
is fed out to the right exit tray. The transport belt
motor turns off after the exit sensor [B] turns off.
To stack the originals neatly on the exit tray, the feedout motor speed is reduced about 30 mm before the
trailing edge of the original turns off the exit sensor.
[A]
[B]
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Handling Paper
Handling Originals
[D]
[C]
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Handling Paper
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Those using fixed position trays or bins. These machines move the finished copies to the
appropriate bin after it exits the copier.
Those using moving bins. These move the trays to the copier exit at the appropriate time to
receive the copy as it exits the copier.
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Handling Paper
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Handling Paper
Wheel Drive
The bin drive mechanism moves the bins up
and down to receive copies or prints. This
movement is made by a wheel mechanism
that is explained in the following example.
Example: Model CS130
Basic Operation
- Sort Mode In this mode, all copies of the first
original are delivered to separate bins starting
from the top. The copies of the second original
are delivered to the same bins, but starting from
the bottom. The copies of the third original start
from the top and so on. At 250 milliseconds after
the copy has gone through the paper sensor, the
bin drive motor turns on to advance the bin one step.
- Stack Mode In this mode, all copies of the first original are delivered to the first bin, all copies of the
second original are delivered to the second bin, and so on. At 250 milliseconds after the last copy of the
original has gone through the paper sensor, the bin drive motor turns on to advance the bin one step.
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Handling Paper
The bin drive mechanism moves the bins up and down to receive
copies under the direction of the copier CPU. The main components in
this mechanism are the bin drive motor [A], two transfer wheels [B,B],
the wheel switch [C], and the bins themselves.
Pins on either side of each bin are inserted into slots called bin guides
[D,D]. The bins slide up and down in the bin guides. The bins sit on
each other with the lower bin resting on the 10th bin (the 10th bin is
permanently fixed in position). The upper and lower paper guides pivot
up and down depending on the height of the bin to be picked up or
released.
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Handling Paper
Basic Operation
When sort mode is selected, the bin drive motor
[A] energizes to rotate the helical wheels. The
helical wheels [B] rotate twice to move the top bin
to the transport roller position, then the first copy
is delivered to the top bin.
[C]
After the first copy of the first original has been fed
to the top bin, the bin drive motor moves the bins
up one step (the helical wheels rotate once) so
that the second copy of the first original will be
delivered to the next bin. The jogger plate [C]
squares the copies after each copy has been fed
to a bin. After the copies of the first original have
been delivered to each bin, the sorter stapler
maintains its status (the bin drive motor does not
rotate). The first copy of the second original is
delivered to the final bin that was used for the first
original, then the final bin descends one step. The
[A]
[B]
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Handling Paper
[A]
[A]
[B]
[C]
[D]
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Handling Paper
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Handling Paper
[D]
[E]
Up/Down Movement
The shift tray lift motor [A] controls the vertical position
of the shift tray [B] through gears and timing belts [C].
When the main switch is turned on, the tray is initialized
at the upper position. The tray is moved up until stack
height sensor 1 [D] is de-actuated.
As paper feeds into the tray the stack height feeler [E]
raises; when it actuates stack-height sensor 2 [F] the
shift tray lift motor lowers the shift tray. (Exact timing
and amount of movement depends on the mode. See
the SR810 service manual for more details.)
The shift tray rises until stack height sensor 1 is deactuated when the user takes the stack of paper from
the shift tray.
April
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[F]
[A]
[B]
[C]
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Handling Paper
Side-to-Side Movement
In sort/stack mode, the shift tray [A] moves from side to side to separate the sets of copies.
The horizontal position of the shift tray
is controlled by the shift motor [B] and
shift gear disk [C]. After one set of
copies is made and delivered to the
shift tray, the shift motor turns on,
driving the shift gear disk and the shaft
[D]. The shaft positions the end fence
[E], creating the side-to-side
movement.
When the shift gear disk has rotated
180 degrees (when the shift tray is
fully shifted across), the cut-out in the
shift gear disk turns on the shift tray
half-turn sensor [F] and the shift motor
stops. The next set of copies is then
delivered. The motor turns on,
repeating the same process and
moving the tray back to the previous
position.
[D]
[A]
[F]
[C]
[B]
[E]
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Handling Paper
Paper pre-stacking
This mechanism improves productivity in staple mode.
During stapling, the copier has to
wait. This mechanism reduces the
wait by holding the first two sheets of
a job while the previous job is still
being stapled. It only works during
the second and subsequent sets of a
multi-set copy job.
[A]
[B]
[E]
[F]
The pre-stack junction gate solenoid
[A] turns on about 230 ms after the
[D]
1st sheet of paper turns on the
[C]
entrance sensor, and this directs the
sheet to the pre-stack tray [B]. (This sheet cannot be fed to the stapler yet, because the first set is
still being stapled.) The pre-stack paper stopper solenoid [C] turns on about 680 ms after the 1st
sheet turns on the entrance sensor. The pre-stack paper stopper [D] then stops the paper.
The pre-stack junction gate solenoid turns off 450 ms after the trailing edge of the 1st sheet passes
through the entrance sensor, and the 2nd sheet is sent to the paper guide [E]. The pre-stack paper
stopper is released about 50 ms after the 2nd sheet turns on the pre-stack stopper sensor [F], and
the two sheets of copy paper are sent to the stapler tray. All sheets after the 2nd sheet go to the
stapler tray via the paper guide [E].
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Handling Paper
[A]
[B]
[C]
The stapler motor [A] moves the stapler [B] from side to
side. After the start key is pressed, the stapler moves from its home position to the stapling position.
If two-staple-position mode is selected, the stapler moves to the front stapling position first, then
moves to the rear stapling position. However, for the next copy set, it staples in the reverse order (at
the rear side first then at the front side).
After the job is completed, the stapler moves back to its home position. This is detected by the
stapler HP sensor [C].
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Handling Paper
[D]
Punch Unit
The punch unit makes 2 or 3 holes
(depending on the type of punch unit) at
the trailing edge of the paper.
The punch unit is driven by the punch
motor [A]. The punch motor turns on 78
ms after the trailing edge of the paper
passes through the entrance sensor [B],
and makes the punch holes.
The home position is detected by the
punch HP sensor [C]. When the cut-out in
the punch shaft gear disk [D] enters the
punch HP sensor, the punch motor stops.
April
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[C]
[A]
[B]
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Photocopying Processes
Overview
1
1. Scanning
An exposure lamp illuminates the original. Light reflected off the original is used to create the
image on a drum*. In analog machines, the light is reflected through a series of mirrors,
eventually striking the drum directly. For multi-copy runs, the original must be scanned for each
copy.
In digital machines, the reflected light is passed to a CCD or CIS, where it is converted into an
analog data signal. This data is further converted to a digital signal, processed, and stored in
memory. To print, the data is retrieved and sent to a laser diode. For multi-copy runs, the original
is scanned only once and stored to a hard disk.
*
SKRWRFRQGXFWRUGUXP
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Photocopying Processes
2. Charging
A charge is applied to the
photoconductor drum. There are a
variety of methods for this. Some
machines apply a positive charge,
others apply a negative. Most use a
non-contact corona wirethough
some use a contact, charge roller.
The drum holds the charge because
the photoconductive surface of the
drum has a high electrical
resistanceunless exposed to light.
Overview
7
4
6
3. Exposure
5
In an analog machine, the light
reflected off the original is redirected
to the drum. In a digital machine, the processed data from the scanned original is retrieved from
memory or from a hard disk and transferred to the drum by one or more laser beams. In both
cases, the areas exposed to light lose some or all of their charge. This writes an electrostatic
image on the drum.
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Photocopying Processes
Overview
4. Development
Toner is attracted to the latent image on the drum. The exact process varies depending on
whether the drum holds a positive or negative charge. Most analog machines are Write to
Whitethe toner is attracted to unexposed areas on the drum. Most digital machines are Write to
Blackthe toner is attracted to exposed areas.
5. Transfer
The image is transferred to paper. Some machines transfer the image directly from the drum.
Others use an intermediary transfer belt. Transfer belts are particularly common in color
machines. The four colors are layered onto the belt, and then the final image is transferred to the
paper in one step.
6. Separation
The paper can be separated from the drum (or image transfer belt) electrostatically or
mechanically. Charge coronas, discharge plates, pick-off pawls and sharply curved paper paths
are all used. Often a machine will combine two or more methods.
7. Cleaning
The remaining toner is cleaned off the drum. Most machines use a cleaning blade to wipe off the
excess toner. Some add a cleaning brush or cleaning roller to improve efficiency.
8. Quenching
Light from a lamp neutralizes the remaining charge on the drums surface.
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Photocopying Processes
9. Fusing
Heat and pressure are used to melt the toner and
attach it to the page. The hot roller [A] is usually
heated by one or more halogen lamps. The
pressure roller [B] may or may not be heated.
[A]
[B]
9
Charge
Overview
Charge refers to the application of a uniform electrostatic charge to a photoconductor in darkness. At
present, two kinds of electrostatic charge methods are widely used in Ricoh products. The most
common is the corona electrostatic charge method (non-contact type), which takes advantage of the
corona discharge produced when a high voltage is applied to a fine wire. The other is the
electrostatic charge roller method (contact type), which provides an electrostatic charge by applying a
high voltage to a roller and contacting the roller to the photoconductor.
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Photocopying Processes
Charge
Corona Charge
Corotron MethodPositive charge (Se)
A power pack applies several thousand volts of
electricity to a charge wire and a corona discharge is
generated from the charge wire. The corona discharge
ionizes air particles and the positive ions concentrate
around the charge casing and photoconductive surface
(Selenium). The photoconductor (insulator in darkness)
stops the positive ions. The positive ions induce a
negative electrostatic charge in the aluminum base,
retaining the electrostatic charge.
050101.pcx
[A]
[B]
[C
[D]
[E]
050102.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Charge
Scorotron Grid
Corona
output
Effect
of grid
050103.pcx
[A]
[A]: Grid
[B]: Power pack
[C]: Drum
[B]
[C]
chrggrid.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Charge
[A]
[B]
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Photocopying Processes
Charge
mo6.wmf
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Photocopying Processes
Charge
Steel Core
Inner Layer:
Epichlorohydrin
Rubber
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Photocopying Processes
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Exposure
Exposure
Overview
Exposure refers to a process where light is applied to a photoconductor to create a latent reverse
image in the form of a charge pattern on the surface of the photoconductive material. Depending
on the brightness of the image, the electric potential on the photoconducutors surface is attenuated;
thus, forming an electrostatic latent image
Ricoh products use three main exposure methodsflash exposure, strip exposure (sometimes
called slit exposure), and laser exposure. The analog methodsflash and strip exposureare
covered in this chapter. Strip exposure is further divided into exposure using moving optics and
exposure with fixed optics. Laser exposure is covered in the Digital Processes chapter
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Photocopying Processes
Exposure
Scanner Drive
Here we will look at a couple of examples
of scanner drive mechanisms in analog
machines.
The illustration to the right shows a typical
drive mechanism for an analog process
photocopier. (Model A095)
A dc servomotor is used as the scanner
drive motor [A]. Scanner drive speed
during scanning depends on the
reproduction ratio. For a 100% copy, the
scanning speed is 330mm/s.
The scanner drive motor drives the first
[B] and second scanners [C] using two
scanner drive wires via the timing belt [D]
and the scanner drive shaft [E]. The
second scanner speed is half of the first
scanner speed. The scanner drive wire is
not directly wound around the pulley on
the scanner drive motor.
scandrv1.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Exposure
The second scanner drive example (model A219) shows scanner drive using belts rather than wires.
A stepper motor [A] drives the scanners. The first scanner [B], which consists of the exposure lamp
and the first mirror, is connected to the first scanner belt [C]. The second scanner [D], which consists
of the second and third mirrors, is connected to the second scanner belt [E]. Both the scanners move
along the guide rod [F].
[H]
[F]
[D]
[C]
[A]
[G]
[B]
[E]
A219D522.wmf
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Photocopying Processes
Exposure
There are no scanner drive wires, and only one side of the scanner is supported (by a rod and guide
rail).
The pulley [G] drives both the first and second scanner belts. The 2nd scanner moves at half the
speed of the first scanner. This maintains the focal distance between the original and the lens during
scanning.
The scanner home position is detected by a home position sensor [H]. The scanner return position is
determined by counting the scanner motor drive pulses.
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Photocopying Processes
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105
Exposure
Lens Drive
For a copier to make reduced or enlarged
copies, the lens must be moved to achieve
the proper optical distance between the lens
and the drum surface for the selected
reproduction ratio.
There are many ways this can be done. The
illustration (from model A152) shows a typical
arrangement. In this case, a stepper motor
[A] changes the lens [B] position through the
lens drive wire [C].
The rotation of the lens drive pulley moves
the lens back and forth in discrete steps. The
home position of the lens is detected by the
home position sensor [D]. The main board
keeps track of the lens position based on the
number of pulses sent to the lens motor.
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lensdrv1.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Exposure
Mirror Positioning
[B]
A219D510.wmf
[A]
[C]
A171D567.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
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Exposure
Original document
Exposure image
ips138.wmf
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Photocopying Processes
Exposure
Flash Exposure
Flash exposure is an overall exposure method, which
projects the document image onto the photoconductor,
by exposing the entire document surface at once. As
this method does not require a scanning mechanism, it
enables high speed copying. However, it requires the
photoconductors surface to be flat and it requires an
optics cavity that is quite large compared to standard
scanner optics.
Example: Models A112/A201 (Big Bird)
[A]
[C]
[D]
[B]
IPS165.wmf
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Photocopying Processes
Exposure
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[C]
[B]
[A]
A171D572.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Exposure
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Photocopying Processes
FL_regulator.pcx
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112
Exposure
Halogen Lamp
The illustration to the right (from model
A110) shows a typical control circuit for
a halogen lamp used for exposure.
The main board sends lamp trigger
pulses to the ac drive board from
CN122-7. PC401 activates TRC401,
which provides ac power to the exposure lamp, at the trailing edge of each
trigger pulse.
The voltage applied to the exposure
lamp is also provided to the feedback
circuit. The feedback circuit steps
down (TR401), rectifies (DB401), and
smoothes (zener diodes and capacitors) the lamp voltage. The
CPU monitors the lowest point of the smoothed wave (feedback
signal), which is directly proportional to the actual lamp voltage.
The CPU changes the timing of the trigger pulses in response to
the feedback voltage. If the lamp voltage is too low, the CPU
sends the trigger pulses earlier so that more ac power is applied
to the exposure lamp. This feedback control is performed
instantly; so, the lamp voltage is always stable even under
fluctuating ac power conditions.
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explamp1.pcx
explamp2.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Development
Development
This section covers standard systems for latent image development that are commonly used in Ricoh
products. These development systems are divided into the dual-component development method
and the mono-component development method.
[C]
[D]
[A] [B]
[E]
magbrush.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
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114
Development
Features
Advantages
Achieves high speed development
Allows relatively wide scope in terms of accuracy
Disadvantages
The development section is complex and large
Deterioration of developer over time (difficult to achieve maintenance free operations)
Requires toner concentration control
Developer Composition
Carrier
Carrier consists of roughly spherical metallic particles ranging in size from 50 to 200 m. The
particles have a resin coating with specific characteristics which determine the polarity and strength
of the carriers triboelectric charge.
Toner
Several weight percent of toner (weight ratio) is mixed with the carrier. Toner particles have a
diameter of 5 to 20 m. Toner particles are made of a thermosetting carbon black resin in which an
electrostatic charge agent is mixed. The triboelectric characteristics ensure that the toner always
takes on a charge that is opposite to the carrier.
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Photocopying Processes
Development
Mono-Component Development
Overview
The monocomponent development process uses toner only with no carrier. Monocomponent
development systems are used mainly in small photocopiers with a low copy rate.
Advantages:
Development unit structure is simple and compact.
Toner density control is unnecessary.
Disadvantages:
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Photocopying Processes
Development
Basic Process
[B]
[A]
A027blackdev.pcx
[C]
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Development
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[B]
[A]
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Toner particles [D] receive a positive triboelectric charge as they move past the toner metering blade.
This charge is created by the rubbing action of the development roller, toner, and toner metering
blade.
The monocomponent toner used with this type of roller is composed of resin and ferrite. Attraction
between the ferrite and the magnetic rubber layer causes the toner to adhere to the development
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Photocopying Processes
Development
roller. (Typically, this kind of toner also has high electrical resistance, which gives it good
development and image transfer characteristics, even under high humidity conditions.)
[A]
April
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Photocopying Processes
Development
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Photocopying Processes
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126
Development
Development Bias
When a photoconductor (photosensitive drum or belt) is exposed, the charge decreases in the
sections that receive light, corresponding to the white sections of the document. However, exposure
does not eliminate the charge completely, and there is always a small residual charge on the
photoconductor. To prevent toner from being attracted to the non-image areas and thus causing
toner background on copies, the development roller is charged with a bias voltage greater than the
residual voltage on the photoconductor. This bias voltage is opposite in polarity to that of the toner;
so, its attraction is greater than that of the residual voltage on the photoconductor.
In some machines, the bias voltage is also used to control image density. The higher the
development bias voltage is, the less toner is attracted to the drum surface.
In the past, the most common copy process used a positively charged selenium drum
photoconductor, negatively charged toner, and a positive development bias. However, recent
products use a negatively charged organic photoconductor (OPC) and positively charged toner; so,
the development bias is negative.
NOTE: The calculation of the actual value of the development bias can be quite complex and
varies from machine to machine. Various compensating factorsfor example for residual
voltage changes, temperature, original background, drum wear, magnification, and many
other factorsmay be calculated by the machines CPU depending on the details of the
machines process control. (For more details, see the Process Control section or refer to
the service manual of the product you are interested in.)
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Photocopying Processes
Development
Crossmixing
[B]
[C]
[E]
[C]
[F]
[E]
[B]
[D]
[F]
[A]
[A]
[D]
a246d557.wmf
a246d556.wmf
The illustrations above show a standard cross-mixing mechanism. Most dual component
development systems use a mechanism like this to keep the toner and carrier evenly mixed. This
mechanism also helps agitate the developer to prevent developer clumps from forming and helps
create the triboelectric charge (an electric charge generated by friction) on the toner and carrier.
The developer on the turning development rollers [A] is split into two parts by the doctor blade [B].
The part that stays on the development rollers forms the magnetic brush and develops the latent
image on the drum. The part that the doctor blade trims off goes to the backspill plate [C].
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Photocopying Processes
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Development
As the developer slides down the backspill plate to the agitator [D], the mixing vanes [E] move it
slightly toward the rear of the unit. Part of the developer falls into the auger inlet and the auger [F]
transmits it to the front of the unit.
The agitator moves the developer slightly to the front as it turns, so the developer remains evenly
distributed in the development unit.
Development Seal
Development units have several seals to prevent toner from spilling out into the copier. Usually there
are an upper (or inlet) seal, a lower seal, and side seals. In some cases, the upper seal is a brush
seal and actually contacts the drum. In other development units, the upper seal is positioned close to
the drum to prevent particles from scattering upward. The development unit side seals, are in contact
with the drum ends (out of the image area) preventing toner scattering from the ends of the unit. The
lower seal is positioned to catch falling particles.
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Development
Toner Supply
In order to keep the toner density (ratio of toner to carrier) constant the development mechanism
must have a way of adding toner to the developer. This is called the toner supply mechanism.
The toner supply mechanism cannot just dump toner into the development unit. To avoid fluctuations
it must add small, measured amounts of toner in response to the toner density control system. (Also
seeToner Supply Control in the Color Development section.)
There are many ways of designing a toner supply system. Here we will look at a couple of standard
mechanisms.
Example 1: Model A193
This machine uses a toner bottle that has a spiral
groove in it. When the toner supply drive
mechanism is activated, the toner bottle rotates
and the groove moves toner to the mouth of the
bottle, where toner spills into a small hopper.
Turning mylar blades move the toner to an
opening in the side of the hopper and the toner
drops into the development unit. The amount of
toner added depends on the length of time that
the toner supply mechanism rotates.
Toner supply mechanisms similar to this one are
used in many machines.
A193d020.wmf
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Photocopying Processes
Development
[A]
[B]
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Photocopying Processes
Development
Indirect Sensing
The CPU indirectly checks toner density by sensing the image
density of a sensor pattern developed on the photoconductor.
[A]
lowtoner.pcx
[A]
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Photocopying Processes
enoughtoner.pcx
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Development
Direct Sensing
The illustration to the right is an example of a
sensor used to directly measure the amount of
toner in developer. (From model A163)
The active sensor element is a very small
transformer with three coils. When iron ferrite
(carrier) is near the sensor element, the
inductance of the coils changes, causing the
current through the transformer to change. As
the amount of toner in the developer increases,
TDSensor.pcx
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the toner supply mechanism adds an appro&RLOV
priate amount of toner to the developer.
TD_Cir.wmf
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Development
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Development
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Photocopying Processes
Development
If a toner sensor voltage lower than VTS + 4S/5 is detected twice consecutively while the toner
supply motor is on, the machine recovers from the toner near end condition. Also, if this condition is
detected during the normal copy cycle, the toner near end is canceled.
Toner End Condition
If toner supply level 6 is detected, the machine supplies toner between copies and for 10 seconds
after the copy job is finished (as explained above). While the toner supply motor is on, if the CPU
detects toner supply level 7 (VT VTS +S) three times consecutively, a toner end condition is
detected and copier operation is disabled.
If the toner sensor voltage stays at level 6 after the toner near end condition is detected, 50 more
copies can be made. After 50 copies, the toner end indicator lights and copying is disabled.
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Development
[A]
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Development
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Photocopying Processes
[C]
[D]
[B]
[A]
[E]
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Photocopying Processes
achieved by applying an ac corona to the back of the paper to eliminate the previously applied
transfer charge. Pick-off pawls are also used to physically separate paper of low stiffness from the
drum.
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Photocopying Processes
Image Transfer
05040502.pcx
[A]
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Photocopying Processes
Paper Separation
During the separation process, the copy paper
with the toner image on it separates from the
photoconductor. The paper can be separated
either mechanically or electrostatically (or by a
combination of both). Recent Ricoh copiers use
the electrostatic method.
The charge given to the paper during the image
transfer process causes the paper to cling to the
photosensitive material. This makes it difficult to
strip the paper from the drum. Therefore, an AC
corona applied by the separation corotron
neutralizes the charge on the paper in order to
break the attraction between the drum and the
copy paper. The paper then separates from the
drum because of the rigidity and the weight of the
paper.
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Photocopying Processes
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Photocopying Processes
As the paper adheres to the belt during transport, the transport performance is stable, even
with smaller paper sizes, such as postcards.
Because the belt and printing paper maintain close contact, an excellent separation
performance over a wide range of paper types is ensured.
As high voltage charge wires are not used, there is no problem with electrical leaks from
charge wires.
It improves the printing efficiency and also enhances the printing performance on paper with a
higher moisture content.
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Photocopying Processes
Drum Transfer
Basic Concept
Some color copiers (models A072, A030) use a drum to transfer the image from the photoconductor
to the paper. This is actually a variation of the corona transfer and separation process
This process uses a second drum, the transfer drum, which rotates in contact with the OPC drum
(photoconductor). The copy paper is held on the surface of the transfer drum, which makes several
rotations to transfer the various colored toners. The image is transferred electrostatically using a
corona.
Photocopying Processes
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Photocopying Processes
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Pick-off Pawls
Purpose
Pick-off pawls are mechanical fingers that forcibly strip copy paper off of the photoconductor. In
Ricoh photocopiers they are usually employed as a safety device to prevent paper from wrapping
around the drum.
Example: Model A053
Touch-and-Release Mechanism
The pick-off solenoid [A] energizes just after the
registration rollers turn on. The pick-off lever [B]
rotates counterclockwise (rear view) and pushes
the pawl shaft pin [C]. The pawl shaft [D] then
rotates clockwise and the pick-off pawls [E] touch
the drum. The pawl springs [F] hold the pick-off
pawls on the shaft and prevent them from touching
the drum too strongly. When the leading edge of
the paper passes the pick-off area and just before it
reaches the fusing unit, the pick-off solenoid turns
off. The pick-off shaft spring [G] then rotates the
pick-off lever to move the pick-off pawls away from
the drum.
pickoff1.
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Photocopying Processes
Side-to-Side Movement
The pick-off pawls do not always contact the
drum in the same place but instead move slightly
to the side on each copy cycle. The pick-off pawl
shaft [H] and the cam rider [I] are joined by a
one-way bearing [J]. Each time the pick-off pawl
solenoid turns on, the one-way bearing causes
the cam rider to turn together with the pick-off
pawl shaft. As the cam rider turns, it and the pawl
shaft are forced to move laterally by a cam [K].
When the pawl shaft rotates the pawls away from
the drum, however, the cam rider does not turn.
Pawl lateral movement is 0.1 to 0.2 millimeter per
copy cycle. After moving about 8 millimeters, the
cam rider passes the lobe of the cam and the
pawl shaft is returned to its start position by the
pawl shaft spring [G].
pickoff2.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Curvature Separation
Some machines do not have a paper separation
mechanism. In the illustration to the right (model
A027), the master (OPC belt) turns at a sharp
angle (approximately 90 degrees) just after the
transfer point. Due to the papers stiffness, it
cannot make this sharp turn and separates
without any assistance.
Master
Paper
05050507.pcx
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[A]
[B]
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Photocopying Processes
Cleaning
Cleaning
Overview
Cleaning refers to the process of removing any toner remaining on the
photoconductor (drum or OPC belt) after the imaging process is complete
to prepare the photoconductor for the next copy/print cycle. The cleaning
step also removes any paper dust on the photoconductor surface.
Cleaning is necessary before a new copy cycle or print cycle can start. If
the cleaning step were not included in the copy process, the background of
images would become progressively darker and dirtier.
All cleaning systems use a cleaning blade or a cleaning brush or both.
Additionally, all cleaning systems have a mechanism for collecting and
storing (or recycling) the toner cleaned from the photoconductor.
05050509.pcx
The most common cleaning systems use blades, and these are further
divided into trailing-blade cleaning and counter-blade cleaning systems.
Cleaning brushes all rotate in contact with the photoconductor. There are
also two types of cleaning brushesfiber brushes and magnetic brushes.
Some cleaning systems also use a corona (pre-cleaning corona) to prepare
the drum and toner for cleaning.
We will look at examples of all of these mechanisms in this section.
05050510.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Cleaning
Counter Blade
Counter blade cleaning is the most common method used
in modern copiers. In comparison to the trailing blade
method, counter blade cleaning causes less wear on the
cleaning blade. Also, the blade has less of a tendency to
ride over toner particles, significantly improving the
cleaning performance.
[A]
[B]
A193d010.wmf
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Cleaning
[A]
[D]
[C]
[E]
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Photocopying Processes
Cleaning
[B]
[G]
[A]
[C]
[E]
[F]
[D]
A029cln.pcx
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Photocopying Processes
Cleaning
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Photocopying Processes
Cleaning
Magnetic Brush
Magnetic brush cleaning is basically development in reverse. This method uses a magnetic roller
and carrier to electrostatically lift the toner off of the photoconductor.
Example: Models A030 and A072
The illustrations to the right and on the next page show
the cleaning unit used in models A030 and A072.
To ensure OPC drum cleaning, the pre-cleaning
corona [A] applies an ac voltage with a positive dc bias
to the surface of the drum. This gives the residual
toner a uniform positive charge and neutralizes the
negative charge on the drum.
The cleaning roller [B] looks like and operates similarly
to a magnetic brush development roller. However, the
attractive forces work in reverse. Internal permanent
magnets in the cleaning roller attract cleaning carrier to
the cleaning roller sleeve. The cleaning roller sleeve
turns and carries the cleaning carrier to the OPC drum.
The cleaning carrier has a negative triboelectric charge
as the result of contact between the carrier and toner
particles in the carrier. (New cleaning carrier contains
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[D]
[C]
[B]
[E]
[A]
A030cln1.pcx
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Cleaning
[C]
[D]
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Photocopying Processes
A030cln2.pcx
[E]
[B]
[F]
A030cln3.pcx
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Cleaning
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Cleaning
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[A]
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[A]
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Cleaning
[A]
[C]
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[A]
[C]
[B]
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Cleaning
[B]
[A]
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[A]
[C]
[C]
[D]
A230D452.wmf
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Cleaning
[A]
[D]
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[B]
[C]
[E]
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Quenching
Quenching
Overview
Quenching is the process that eliminates any residual electric charge remaining on the
photoconductor after the cleaning process. Quenching prepares the photoconductor for the charge
step of the next copy or print cycle.
Several different methods are used to quench the photoconductor. The most common method is
photo quenching using a lamp. Some machines use a combination of a dc corona and photo
quenching. A few machines use an ac corona for quenching. The choice of quenching method
depends on the type of photoconductor used and the details of the other steps of the copy process.
Photo Quenching
As the name implies, photo quenching uses the application of light
to reduce the resistance of the photoconductor and thus eliminate
the electrical charge. Photo quenching also stabilizes the drum
sensitivity from the first cycle by pre-illuminating the drum.
Various types of lamp have been used for quenching lamps. LED
arrays are the most common; however, cold cathode tubes, neon
tubes, and fluorescent lamps have also been used.
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Quenching
The cold cathode lamp has the characteristics of low power consumption and low heat output
combined with strong, even light output covering a broad spectrum. However, it is more
expensive (special power supply) than LEDs.
The neon tube is cost effective; however, there is significant unevenness in the amount of light
output.
Fluorescent lamps output a strong, wide spectrum light, but they are the most expensive.
Fluorescent lamps are used for quenching only in very high-speed photocopiers.
Various types of filters may be used depending on the copy process and photoconductor
characteristics. For example when using a cold cathode lamp and an OPC drum, a yellow filter is
usually used to reduce ultraviolet light which would cause light fatigue on the OPC drum.
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Quenching
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Photocopying Processes
Fusing
Fusing
Overview
After the image transfer and paper separation steps, the image must be bound or fixed to the paper.
Modern photocopiers and other machines (fax, printer) that use photocopier imaging processes, use resin
based toners. To form a stable permanent image, the toner is heated to cause it to melt and soften.
Simultaneously, pressure is applied to cause the toner to fuse with the fibers of the paper.
Heat-Roll Method
The heat-roll method is the most common way
that Ricoh products use to fuse the toner image
to paper. It is used in all types of machines
from the lowest speed to high speed.
In the heat-roll fusing method, paper with dry
toner particles on it moves between two rollers,
the hot roller and the pressure roller. A quartz
halogen lamp heats the hot roller from inside.
When the paper comes in contact with the hot
roller, the heat of the roller melts the toner. The
pressure between the two rollers forces the
melted toner into the fibers of the paper.
Hot roller
Fusing Lamp
Oil application
Thermistor
Copy paper
Stripper pawls
Pressure roller
IPS_255.wmf
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Fusing
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Fusing
Photocopying Processes
[B]
[E]
[D]
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Fusing
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[B]
[D]
[C]
[E]
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Fusing
Oil Supply
Silicone oil is applied to the hot roller to help prevent toner and paper from sticking to the hot roller, to
reduce paper curl, improve hot roller durability, and to help in roller cleaning. With such benefits you
would expect that all photocopiers would have an oil supply system. This used to be the case.
However, advances in design and composition of fusing rollers and toner have made oil application
less important. Recently, many products do not have an oil supply mechanism. But, oil supply
systems are generally used in products that have a critical fusing functiontypically high-speed or
color machines.
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Fusing
Cleaning
The hot roller has a non-stick coating and toner is formulated
to help prevent it from sticking to the hot roller; but even with
that, a small amount of toner still sticks to the hot roller. This
toner is removed by a cleaning pad or a cleaning roller. In
many machines silicone oil is applied to the hot roller. The
silicone oil acts as a lubricant and helps to prevent toner from
sticking. (See the preceding section.)
[A]
Cleaning Pad
G025D522.WMF
[B]
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Fusing
Cleaning Roller
The cleaning roller is the most common way of
removing toner and paper dust from the fusing rollers.
The principle of operation is simple. Any toner that
sticks to the hot roller preferentially transfers to the
pressure roller. The pressure roller may also pick up
some toner from the reverse side of the paper (from
duplex copies). The toner and paper dust transfer to
the cleaning roller due to adhesion. The toner
preferentially sticks to the cleaning roller because it is
made of metal.
[B]
A133d603.wmf
[A]
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Fusing
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Fusing
The following table explains the conditions shown by the above diagram.
Machine Condition
Ready
Fusing Lamp
ON/OFF Threshold
Remarks
165C: 120 V
machines
172C: 230 V
machines
190C
120C: 120 V
machines
130C: 230 V
machines
During copying
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190C
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Photocopying Processes
Fusing
CN113-1
CN113-2
5V
CN101-3
24 V
Fusing
Thermistor
CN207-7
Trigger Pulse
24 V
0V
T208
TF
PC2
C20
CN101-4
Fusing Lamp
T207
CN207-6
T205
Main Board
L4
RY1
T206
T204
Main Switch
Interlock
Switch
T203
FU1
T202
T201
AC Power Source
AC Drive/DC Power
Supply Board
A219D537.wmf
Since the fusing lamp is a high temperature heat source, safety is an important consideration.
Interlock switches cut power to the fusing circuit whenever a cover is opened. Also, all machines
have an overheat protection circuit which automatically cuts off the fusing power and stops machine
operation if the temperature detected by the thermistor gets too high. Backup overheat protection is
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Photocopying Processes
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Fusing
provided by a thermofuse (TF). Even if the thermistor overheat protection fails, the thermofuse opens
if the heat gets excessive, removing power from the fusing lamp.
On/Off Control
When the main switch is turned on, the main board starts to output a trigger pulse, which has the
same timing as the zero cross signal, to the ac power supply circuit. This trigger pulse allows
maximum ac power to be applied to the fusing lamp. When the operating temperature is reached, the
CPU stops outputting the trigger pulse (the trigger stays HIGH) and the fusing lamp turns off.
Phase Control
Normally, the voltage applied to the lamp is the full duty cycle of the ac waveform. However, many
machines have an alternate method of fusing power control called phase control. Generally, phase
control is used only if the customer has a problem with electrical noise or interference on the power
line. Phase control is selected using a service program.
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Fusing
Soft Start
Soft start is a type of phase control mode.
In phase control mode, power is only applied to the lamp for a part of each ac cycle. This is to
prevent sudden drops in room power supply when the copier starts to warm up.
In soft start mode, phase control is used for the first few ac cycles (a fraction of a second); power is
gradually applied from zero to full power over these first few ac cycles.
The above diagram shows full power being applied to the lamp gradually over the duration of 6 zerocross cycles. (This is the number of cycles taken to reach application of full ac power, not for
reaching the required fusing temperature.)
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
Digital Machines
Example: Model A193
a193v505.wmf
The big difference with scanners in digital machines is that the light reflected from the original does
not pass directly to the photoconductor.
The light is reflected onto a light-sensitive element, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). This
device converts the light into an analog electrical signal. Circuits inside the machine convert this
signal into a digital signal. This signal then passes to a laser diode, which emits a laser beam to write
a latent image on the photoconductor.
So, in a digital machine, there is a lot of electronics between the light reflected off the original and the
light arriving at the photoconductor.
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Digital Processes
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Digital Scanning
Digital Signals
Digital signals consist of binary code. When
scanning an original, binary code is used to
represent the brightness of each pixel of the
image.
In the most simple of systems, there are only two
values for each pixel: 0 and 1, for black and
white.
However, most machines use 4 or 8 bits.
In a four-bit system, there are 16 possible values
for each pixel. This allows black, white, and 14
shades of grey in between.
Similarly, in an eight-bit system, there are 256
possible values for each pixel. This allows black,
white, and 254 shades of grey in between (see
the diagram).
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digdata.wmf
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
Digital Images
Overview
Analog machines transfer an optical image of
the original directly onto the photoconductor.
Digital machines break the image up into small
dots, known as picture elements, or pixels for
short.
The example shows the image that the machine
builds up of a fax machine test chart.
This may seem to be a rather inaccurate
representation. However, digital signals can be
manipulated to enhance the image and create
special effects.
Also, digital images can be used immediately, or
stored for later use (see Image Files).
The size of the pixels (smaller pixels yield
greater resolution) depends on several factors
related to the scanner and printer hardware.
(The software may also be set up to alter the
resolution in various ways, but we shall look at
hardware in this section.)
testchrt.wmf
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
Scanner Resolution
There are two points to consider: the image detector (typically a CCD) and the scanner motor
CCD
The CCD (charge-coupled device) is a line of
photosensitive elements. The output of the CCD
represents one line across the page. Each
element of the CCD generates one picture
element of the line. So the CCD resolution is the
resolution of the scanner across the page (this is
also known as the main scan). The more
elements there are per unit length, the finer the
resolution. Typical CCDs have 200 or 400
elements per inch (or, for Group 3 fax machines
operating in metric units, 8 or 16 elements per
mm).
April
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CCD
Elements
ccdpixel.wmf
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
a229d651.wmf
Main scan
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
Scanner Output
Each element of the CCD generates a voltage
which represents the intensity of the light reflected
onto it from the document. The signals from all the
elements are output in sequence, to generate an
analog signal that represents the line that is
currently being scanned.
CCD
Output
White
Black
CCD
SCAN LINE
scanlin1
White
CCD
Output
Black
CCD
SCAN LINE
scanlin2.wmf
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
VIDEO SIGNAL
One scan line
Etc
White
Black
ccdsig.wmf
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
Printer Resolution
The output from the scanner is converted to a laser diode drive signal. The laser beam then writes a
latent image of the original on the photoconductor. There are two points to consider: the laser beam
as it arrives on the photoconductor, and the speed of the photoconductor.
Example: Model H006, using a master belt
Exposure of the photoconductor to the laser beam
creates the latent image.
To make the main scan, the laser beam moves
across the photoconductor. The resolution depends
on the speed of the laser beams motion across the
photoconductor and on the frequency of the laser
beam on/off switching clock.
Sub Scan
(Photoconductor Rotation)
laserprt.wmf
For full details of the laser optic system, see the Laser Printing section.
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
laserdot.wmf
However, the printer resolution is 16 x 15.4 dots per mm for a Group 3 fax machine. The dots are
larger than this resolution, so they overlap. This results in a better image than if there were no
overlap.
Generally, the laser beam switches off between pixels, even between black pixels.
Note that, unlike the scanner/ADF motors, the motor that drives the photoconductor is normally a dc
motor, not a stepper motor. Therefore, in theory, the main scan lines written across the
photoconductor will be sloping very slightly.
For more details, see the Laser Printing section.
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Digital Processes
Digital Scanning
Printer Output
During the copy cycle, the
photoconductor is charged to about 900 V (see Photocopying Processes
Charge). The laser beam writes a
latent image on the photoconductor.
ORIGINAL
WRITE TO WHITE
WRITE TO BLACK
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Irradiated Areas
laserwrt.wmf
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Digital Processes
Image Processing
Image Processing
Introduction
This section describes how digital machines convert the image from a scanned original into digital
data. This section also describes techniques for processing the digital data, so that the printout is as
close to the original as possible. For example, techniques used to process a business letter will be
different from those used to process an original containing photographs.
Each model implements these techniques in different ways, and some models do not implement all
the techniques. In addition, the order of steps may be slightly different from that presented here. This
section will provide a general description, with examples from various models.
The techniques used by black-and-white machines and color machines are different. Also, blackand-white machines can use two different types of image sensor in the scanner. As a result, this
section will be divided into three sub-sections, as follows.
Black and White Machines - CCD Systems
This section describes black-and-white models that use a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). This is
the standard method for mainstream digital machines.
Black and White Machines - CIS Systems
This section describes black-and-white models that use a CIS (Contact Image Sensor). This type
of system is often used in lower-priced models.
Color Machines
This section describes image processing for color machines. These use a CCD of a different
type, to generate data for the three primary colors.
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Digital Processes
Image Processing
CCD
Overview
SBU
Memory
Control ICs
GA1
LD
Driver
Drum
LD
Controller
(GAVD)
IPU
GA2
LD
Driver
LDDR
HDD
SBICU
a229d578 wmf
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Digital Processes
Image Processing
The CCD generates an analog signal from the light. The voltage of the signal varies with the intensity
of the light. The CCD is mounted on a board called the SBU (Sensor Board Unit). The analog output
from the CCD must be converted to a digital signal. In the above example, the analog-to-digital
conversion circuits are on the SBU board.
The digital signal is then processed, using large-scale integrated circuits, like the IPU (Image
Processing Unit) in the above example. Some of the processes require enough working memory to
store a page of image data. The data may then be stored temporarily on a hard disk until it is time for
printing. The data then passes to the laser diode controller and laser diode driver.
After data processing, each pixel scanned from the original is represented by a number of bits (eight
is a typical number), or only one bit (0: White, 1: Black), depending on the type of digital processing
used. Also, the image may be enlarged or reduced. In this case, pixels will be deleted or artificially
created to make the new image.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Digital Processes
Page204
169
Page
Image Processing
CCD
A CCD converts the light reflected from the original into an analog signal.
The CCD (Charge Coupled Device) consists of a row of photosensitive
elements. The circuit of each element in the CCD is shown at the right. Light
hitting the photodiode charges up a capacitor. The brighter the light, the more
charge goes into the capacitor. There is more about CCDs in the Standard
Components chapter.
The CCD has between 2,500 and 5,000 of these elements, depending on the
maximum scanning width and number of pixels per unit length (i.e., the
resolution across the page). A typical CCD in a high-end digital copier has
5,000 elements, at a resolution of 400 dpi (15.7 dots/mm).
c222d580.wmf
A CCD in a G3 fax machine may have a resolution of 8 or 16 pixels/mm, to match ITU-T standards.
However, as many machines are now multi-functional, such machines often employ a dpi-based
CCD and convert the signal to mm format when sending a Group 3 fax.
The voltage from each element depends on the intensity of the light reflected from the original onto
the element; the intensity of the light depends on the darkness of the area of the document it was
reflected from.
These charges are output from the CCD one after another, to make an analog video signal. Then the
scanner moves to the next line of the original, and the CCD scans the next line.
The CCD scans the original one line at a time, and outputs an analog signal for each line.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page205
170
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Signal Combining
Even
Z/C
Black
Level
Analog Signal Input
CCD
Z/C
Z/C
Odd
Feedback
A/D
Converter
Feedback
Feedback
Peak Hold
1 Ref
0 Ref
Black Level
Digital Signal
Output
To Digital
Processing
Circuits
Feedback
White Level
ana-ads.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page206
171
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Auto shading
Zeroing
Signal combining
Black level
Peak hold
A/D conversion
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page207
172
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
CCD Output
Even
CCD
Reflected
light
Amplifier
There are two outputs from the CCD. One is for oddnumbered pixels, and the other is for even-numbered
pixels. A clock switches the output for each pixel onto
the odd or even output line alternately.
ODD
April
2008 2004
3 January
Signal
amplification
ccdblock.wmf
Page208
173
Page
Digital Processes
Auto Shading
Photoelectric
conversion
Image Processing
Variations in the
White Level
Variations in the
Black Level
a229d645.wmf
Auto shading corrects errors caused by variations in the signal level for each pixel. Both the black
level and the white level are corrected.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page209
174
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
April
2008 2004
3 January
Digital Processes
Page210
175
Page
Image Processing
In some models, there is a protection circuit which limits the white peak voltage. This is to prevent
dark printouts resulting from an abnormally high reference voltage caused by strong light intruding
into the scanner.
In models that have a built in ADF, continuous scanning of large originals can cause the scanner to
heat up, which affects the CCDs response. Also, continuous exposure to light affects the CCD.
Therefore, the white plate is scanned every 30 s to recalibrate the white level (it is done between
originals; scanning is not interrupted).
After auto shading, the machine scans the page. The machine then uses the white waveform stored
in the auto shading memory to correct the data. This is known as Automatic Gain Control (AGC). It is
described later.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page211
176
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Video Signal
Before Correction
Output
(V)
Output
Video Signal
After Correction
(V)
0
1 line
1 line
blk-lvl.wmf
This corrects the video signal for changes in response to the dummy black pixels as time passes.
The black level is stored in the auto shading circuits (as a charge inside a capacitor, for example).
Method 2: Black Level Waveform
In some older models, the black level is done for every original, by shutting off the exposure lamp
and reading a black level waveform across the page. This is stored in memory in the auto shading
circuits in a similar way to that described earlier for the white level.
Method 3: Fixed Reference Voltage
Some models correct the black level using a standard reference voltage for the black reference
(about 1.5 Volts)
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page212
177
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Zeroing
Signal Combining
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Even
Z/C
CCD
Black
Level
Z/C
Z/C
Odd
Straight
Through
Straight
Through
Straight
Through
Fixed Voltage
Example: 2.5 V
A/D
Converter
Digital Signal
Output
1 Ref
0 Ref
Black Level
Every line
White Level
From white plate,
before each page
Auto Shading Circuits
shadcct .wmf
When the machine scans the white plate before scanning the original, the odd and even pixel signals
are combined. The resulting signal is converted to digital in the A/D converter, and stored in the
memory in the auto shading circuits.
The auto shading circuits are normally inside the digital processing circuits, and signals from this
feed back into the analog circuits when needed.
The black level goes to the auto shading circuit every line during scanning.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page213
178
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Peak white can be detected every scan line too - this is Auto Image Density mode (also known as
ADS mode). This is described later in this section.
In the above diagram, the high level reference is arbitrarily fixed at 2.5 V and the low level reference
at ground. In some cases, analog to digital (A/D) conversion is done using the peak value of the
signal for the high reference, and half of the peak value for the low reference.
Example: Model C211
The potential difference between the output
of each pixel and the 53% level of the peak
hold is converted by an A/D converter into 4bit data.
VPH
Memory
4 bits
100%
53%
VT2100/2130/2150: 1.7V
VT2300/2500: 1.4V
5,000 pixels
shading1.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page214
179
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Zeroing
Zeroing
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Signal Combining
Black
Level
Even
Z/C
CCD
Z/C
Z/C
Odd
Feedback
Feedback
Feedback
Black Level
White Level
Signal Combining
Auto Shading Circuits
ana-ads.wmf
4999
4995
4997
4998
5000
4999
4996
5000
4998
vid-comb.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page215
180
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Signal Combining
Even
Z/C
CCD
Black
Level
Z/C
Z/C
Odd
Feedback
Feedback
Feedback
Black Level
White Level
ana-ads.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page216
181
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Element 500
500
0.8
500
0
0.6
0
White Waveform
Scan Line
Video Image
Scan Line
shadcorr.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page217
182
Page
Digital Processes
Black Level
Before the data enters the A/D (analog-to-digital)
converter, a zero clamp circuit again fixes the
absolute value of the black level using feedback
from the auto shading circuit.
Image Processing
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Signal Combining
Black
Level
Analog Signal Input
Z/C
Feedback
A/D
Converter
Feedback
Peak Hold
1 Ref
0 Ref
Black Level
Feedback
White Level
ana-ads.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Digital Processes
Page218
183
Page
Image Processing
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page219
184
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
[A]
0.5mm
15mm
75mm
a229d581.wmf
In this machine, the original is placed at the center
of the original feed path, and not at one side like in
the A229. Therefore, the peak level is read from the central 64 mm at the leading edge of the
original.
One problem with this method is that, since scanning starts before the light intensity from the
fluorescent lamp stabilizes, the light intensity tends to increase for a little while. The voltage from the
CCD increases until the light intensity stabilizes. As a result, lighter image densities may not appear
on prints after the light stabilizes. To prevent this, the peak voltage is changed when a higher (whiter)
image signal is detected. If the peak voltage changes regardless of the output value, like in the A229,
there is a chance of mistaking grey areas in the center of the image for peak white.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page220
185
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Signal Combining
Black
Level
Analog Signal Input
Z/C
Feedback
A/D
Converter
Feedback
Peak Hold
1 Ref
0 Ref
Black Level
Feedback
White Level
ana-ads.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page221
186
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
A/D Conversion
The A/D converter converts the analog signal to digital.
In a typical machine, the resulting digital signal has eight bits. This means that each pixel can have
one of 256 values.
However, before this can be done, the A/D converter must be supplied with reference voltages that
determine the black and white limits.
To do this, the A/D converter is supplied with a black
reference voltage (0 Ref). For example, the input
could be held to ground. This fixes the lowest of the
256 levels any pixel with the same voltage as the
black level will become black.
Fixed Voltage
Example: 2.5 V
A/D
Converter
1 Ref
To Digital Processing
Circuits
0 Ref
ananoads.wmf
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page222
187
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Signal Combining
Black
Level
Analog Signal Input
Z/C
Feedback
A/D
Converter
Feedback
Peak Hold
1 Ref
0 Ref
Black Level
Feedback
White Level
ana-ads.wmf
The A/D converter divides the range between the black and white reference voltage into 256 levels
and digitizes the analog signal based on these levels. These 256 levels are known as grayscales.
The low reference voltage terminal stays constant. Only the high reference terminal voltage varies.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page223
188
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Analog
2.9 V 256
White
........................... 00000000
0Ref
Range
1.7 V 256
255
4
3
Digital
2
1
............................ 00000000
............................ 00000001
............................ 11111100
............................ 11111101
............................ 11111110
............................ 11111111
D= Vin x
Black
adcon.wmf
0V
If the voltage for a pixel is between level 2 and level 3, this is converted into a digital value of
11111101.
Pure black (above level 255) becomes 00000000. Pure white (below level 1) becomes 11111111.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Digital Processes
Page224
189
Page
Image Processing
Background Erase
Text/Image Separation
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page225
190
Page
Digital Processes
Image Processing
Filtering: These processes enhance the data to suit the original mode (text or photo) selected by
the user.
Magnification and Reduction: This enlarges and reduces the data, depending on the reproduction
ratio selected by the user, or the paper size in the receiving fax terminal.
Gradation Processing: The gradation processing methods used generally depend on the original
type setting (text, photo, etc) selected by the user.
Grayscale Processing
Dithering
Error Diffusion
April
2008 2004
3 January
Digital Processes
Page226
191
Page
Image Processing
Another benefit of digital processing with memory storage is faster duplex copying throughput,
using a feature known as 'interleaving'. This feature uses a duplex tray with a one-page capacity,
stores multiple originals in memory, and outputs the data in the order that is suitable for the fastest
printing. This order is not necessarily the order in which the pages were scanned. This is covered
more fully in the Paper Handling section (Interleave Duplexing).
The main benefits for most users are that a job with multiple originals can be scanned just once
and stored in memory, then printed many times from memory without having to scan again. Also,
printer jams can be recovered without having to scan the original again.
Merging
Make-up Mode
Image Rotation
Combining Images
Edge Detection
Inch-mm Conversion
April
2008 2004
3 January
Page227
192
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April
2008 2004
3 January
Process Control
Basic Concepts
Process control is a system that automatically
changes machine processes to compensate for
changes in the environment or the machine
condition. The objective of process control is to
stabilize the quality of image output. The practical
result is a decrease in the frequency of service
calls, thus increasing customer satisfaction and
decreasing service cost.
The box to the right lists the machine conditions
that process control compensates for.
Page352
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Page
Basic Concepts
OPC Analog Systems
OPC Digital Systems
Selenium Analog Systems
Target Machine Conditions
Dirty optics
Exposure lamp deterioration
Dirty charge corona wire/grid
Change of drum sensitivity
Deterioration of developer
In this section (Basic Concepts) we will take an overall look at process control. Then we will look at
the details of process control using several example machines. We will look at two OPC analog
machinesone using a potential sensor (model A095) and one using a V sensor (model A074).
Then we will study an OPC digital system (model A229). Finally, we will look at selenium drum
analog systems (models A029 and A058).
NOTE:
Unlike other parts of the Core Technology Manual, we don't pull out and compare example sub-units of
process control but instead look at the process control systems of the example machines in their entirety.
This is because process control components are interactive and best studied as a whole.
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PROCESS CONTROL
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The figure shows the changes of the drum potential during the copy process.
VO
VD (Dark Potential)
Drum potential just after exposing the black pattern (VD pattern)
VL (Light Potential)
Drum potential just after exposing the white pattern (VL pattern)
VR (Residual
Voltage)
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Data from the TD sensor is used to keep the toner concentration in the developer at a constant level.
However, the image on the OPC drum varies due to the variation of toner chargeability (influenced by
the environment) even if the toner concentration is constant. By the ID sensor compensation, toner
concentration is changed to keep the image density on the OPC drum constant.
The following items are controlled to maintain a constant copy image density:
NOTE: Some machines do not have a TD sensor and use only an ID sensor for
image density control.
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VD (Dark Potential)
VL (Light Potential)
VR (Residual Voltage)
The drum potential after the drum has been exposed by the erase
lamp.
Potential Sensor
VL Pattern
VD Pattern
ID Sensor
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ID Sensor Pattern
VSG
VSP
VLAMP
VB or VBB
Development bias.
TD Sensor
VREF
V Sensor
VG or VGRID
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VH (Halftone Potential)
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VR Measurement
The relationship between the drum
potential and the original density is
illustrated at right. To get consistent
copy quality throughout the drums
life, this relationship must be
maintained. Since this relationship
changes due to various factors to the
one represented by the dotted line,
compensation is required. Factors
causing these changes occur in the
optics and charge sections and in
drum sensitivity. The residual voltage
(VR) cannot be compensated even if
exposure lamp voltage is increased.
Therefore, the VR change has to be
compensated by other means.
After drum conditioning the main
control board turns on the erase lamps. Then the potential sensor checks the drum potential. This
measured drum potential is in fact VR. This VR is used as the standard for the VD and VL corrections.
NOTE: In the figure above, the residual voltage (VR) for the new drum is 0V. Actually, there is some
residual voltage even on a new drum.
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VD Correction
The drum potential just after the black
pattern (VD Pattern) is exposed (VD: Dark
Potential) tends to lower during drum life due
to a decrease in the drums capacity to carry
a charge. To check the actual VD, the first
scanner moves to the home position and the
VD pattern (Black) mounted on the bottom of
the exposure glass bracket, is exposed on
the drum.
The main control board measures VD
through the drum potential sensor and
adjusts it to a target value by adjusting the
grid bias voltage (VGRID). On the other hand,
there is a change of the drum residual
voltage (VR), so that the target VD voltage is
compensated as follows:
Target VD Value: VD = VR + (770)
The adjusted grid bias voltage (VGRID) is kept in memory until the next process control data initial
setting.
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VL Correction
Dirty optics and exposure lamp deterioration
decreases the intensity of the light that reaches
the drum. In addition to this, the drum sensitivity
also changes during the drums life. These factors
change the drum potential just after white pattern
exposure (VL: Light Potential).
To check the actual VL, the lens moves to the VL
pattern check position. The VL pattern (White)
mounted on the bottom of the exposure glass
bracket is exposed on the drum. The main control
board measures VL through the drum potential
sensor and adjusts it to a target value by adjusting
the exposure lamp voltage (VLAMP). The residual
voltage (VR) change also affects VL, so that
VLs target voltage is compensated as follows:
Target VL Value: VL = VR + (140)
The adjusted exposure lamp voltage (VLAMP) is
stored in memory until the next process control
data initial setting.
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VR Correction
Potentials (VR, VD, VL) are monitored by
the potential sensor. (This is done only
when the fusing temperature is less than
100C after the machine is turned on.)
During the check cycle, the VD and VL
patterns are exposed and the drum
potential of the area exposed by each
pattern is checked by the potential sensor.
Compare the curve of the VD and VL
compensated drum potential with the
curve of the new drum, they are parallel
but the compensated potential is still
higher (VR) than the new drum potential.
To prevent dirty backgrounds due to
increased residual potential, development
bias (VBB) is applied as follows:
VBB = VR + (220)
The adjusted development bias (VBB) is stored in
memory until the next process control initial
setting.
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PROCESS CONTROL
Toner weight %
Developer consists of carrier particles (iron) and toner particles (resin and carbon). Inside the
development unit, developer passes through a magnetic field created by coils inside the toner
density sensor. When the toner concentration changes, the voltage output by the sensor changes
accordingly.
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When new developer with the standard toner concentration (2.0% by weight, 20 g of toner in 1000 g
of developer for the illustrated machine) is installed, developer initial setting must be performed by
using SP mode.
During this setting, the output voltage (VOUT) from the auto gain control circuit (AGC) on the main
control board PCB varies to change the output voltage from the toner density (TD) sensor. This is
done by changing the gain data as follows.
If the data is high, VOUT becomes high, and the sensor output voltage becomes high. As a result, the
sensor characteristic becomes as illustrated by curve A. If the data is low, VOUT becomes low, and
the sensor output voltage becomes low. As a result, the sensor characteristic shifts as illustrated by
curve C.
By selecting the proper gain data, the sensor output is set within the targeted control level (VREF,
VREF = 2.5 0.1 V). Now, the sensor characteristic is illustrated by curve B and the TD sensor initial
setting is completed. The selected gain data is stored in memory, and VOUT from the auto gain
control circuit stays constant during the toner sensor detection cycle.
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PROCESS CONTROL
By referring to these factors, the machine recognizes the difference between the current toner
concentration (VTD) and the target toner concentration (VREF). The machine also understands how
much toner concentration has changed and predicts how much the toner supply amount will probably
change.
By changing the toner supply amount precisely, toner concentration (image density) is kept at a
constant level. Since the toner supply clutch on time updating is under fuzzy control, the relation
among VTD, V TD', VREF cannot be expressed by a simple algebraic formula.
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VREF Correction
The image on the OPC drum changes due to variation of toner chargeability (influenced by the
environment) even if the toner concentration is constant. The image density sensor (ID sensor)
directly checks the image on the OPC drum and shifts VREF data (under fuzzy control) to keep the
image on the OPC drum constant, as explained in the next section.
NOTE: 1. Toner end condition is detected by the toner end sensor.
2. The toner supply clutch turns on at the intervals between each copy process while
image development is not being performed.
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1000
PROCESS CONTROL
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1001
In the above example, VSG is detected every time the machine starts copying. During VSG detection,
the development sleeve rollers do not rotate and no development bias is applied.
VSP is detected after copying is completed if 10 or more copies have been made since VSP was last
detected. Since the transfer belt must be released when checking VSP, a VSP check cannot be done
during continuous copying.
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1003
Overview
During the OPC drums life, residual drum voltage
gradually increases due to electrical fatigue. This
may cause dirty background on copies. The V
sensor is used to avoid this problem. The V
sensor is located in the drum unit, near the ID
sensor.
Residual Voltage
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PROCESS CONTROL
VR Pattern Control
The VR pattern is made on the drum
before the original latent image, as in the
case of the ID sensor pattern.
During VR pattern detection, the drum
surface is charged with a fixed grid bias
voltage: -500V + VG correction (Drum
Rotation Time Control). At the same time
all the blocks of the erase lamp unit turn
on to illuminate this charged area of the
drum.
The exposed area of the drum is developed with a fixed bias voltage for non-image area: -160V + VR
correction + VR Data correction (Drum Temperature Control) + Black Bias correction. The V sensor
checks the reflectivity of the bare area of the drum and this sensor output voltage is called Vrg. (Vrg
is the same as Vsg detected by the ID sensor.) Next to this bare drum area, the drum is developed
with VR pattern bias voltage (0V). If there is residual voltage on the drum, this area of the drum will
attract some toner, making a VR pattern. The V sensor checks the reflectivity of the VR pattern and
this sensor output voltage is called Vrp.
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VR Correction
The CPU notes the ratio, of Vrp/Vrg. This VR pattern check is done 5 times in a row during the copy
cycle and the CPU takes their average. The reference voltage of the V sensor output Vrg, is
automatically adjusted to 4V at the same time as Vsg isadjusted.
VR Level
VrpxVrg x 100(%)
0
1
2
3
4
100~84
83~58
57~41
40~28
27~0
Development bias
correction voltage
0 V
40 V
80 V
120 V
160 V
The grid bias voltage and the development bias voltage are corrected (VR correction) according to
the ratio between Vrp and Vrg as shown in the above table.
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1006
PROCESS CONTROL
ID Pattern
PROCESS CONTROL
Page
255
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1007
VL Pattern Detection
VL pattern detection is done after VR pattern detection, but unlike VR pattern detection it is done after
the copy job is finished. This means after the drum initial setting, based on specific copy counts and
when the drum temperature goes over 25C under the VR data correction condition.
When VL pattern detection starts, the exposure lamp turns
on, the main motor stays on, the charge corona, grid bias,
all the blocks of the erase lamp, the pre-transfer and
quenching lamps turn on. After about one drum revolution,
the appropriate blocks of the erase lamp turn off and on to
make a VL pattern on the drum surface. The drum surface
is developed with non-image area bias for both the bare
drum and VL pattern.
The V sensor checks the reflectivity of the bare drum (Vlg)
and the VL pattern (Vlp). The CPU calculates the ratio
between Vlp and Vlg (Vlp/Vlg).
The VL pattern is made 4 times with 150 mm distance
between each pattern. The CPU takes the average of Vlp/Vlg (=Vdat).
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1008
PROCESS CONTROL
VL Correction
When the drum initial setting (SP mode #66) is performed
and more than 7 black copies are made, the initial VL
detection is performed at the end of the copy job and the
CPU stores the VL reference value (initial Vlp/Vlg = Vref)
in memory. ID sensor pattern detection and VR pattern
detection is done prior to this initial VL detection.
VL Level (%)
151~>
101~150
0~100
Lamp
correction
voltage
1 V
0 V
+1 V
ID sensor pattern and VR pattern detection are performed when black copies are made, even in the
SP mode. VL pattern detection is performed only when a black copy is made in enlarge or full size
mode and not in the SP mode.
The V sensor output is automatically adjusted to 4V for both Vlg and Vrg) by SP mode. When the VL
pattern detection is performed during the copy operation, the CPU compares the Vdat with the Vref.
According to the ratio between Vdat and Vref, the CPU applies the voltage correction to the exposure
lamp (VL Correction) as shown in the above table.
Vdat/Vref x 100 = VL level (%)
The exposure lamp voltage for VL pattern detection depends on all previous correction factors, and
the new VL correction factor is added to them. This result is then applied to the exposure lamp
voltage till the next VL pattern detection.
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1009
Under low temperature conditions drum sensitivity drops and drum residual voltage increases. This is
a characteristic of the drum and may cause dirty backgrounds on copies. To compensate for this, a
drum thermistor is installed to monitor the temperature around the drum.
When the main switch is turned on, the CPU checks the temperature through the drum thermistor. If
the temperature is 25C or less, the CPU applies appropriate corrections to the exposure lamp
voltage (low temp. correction), to the grid bias voltage (VR data correction), and to the development
bias voltage (VR data correction).
When the temperature goes over 25C, the VR pattern detection and VL pattern detection are
performed and the corrections above are canceled.
If the temperature is already over 25C when the main switch is turned on, no correction is applied.
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258
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1010
PROCESS CONTROL
VG Correction
If drum potential decreases after the
drum charge, the ID sensor pattern on
the drum becomes lighter, causing
higher toner concentration in the
developer. Also, copy image density
becomes slightly lighter. To control
toner density and copy image density,
the drum potential is maintained by
increments of the grid bias voltage at
set intervals. (See graph.)
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259
Page
1011
Overview
The drum potential will gradually change because of the following factors.
Dirty optics or exposure glass
Dirty charge corona casing and grid plate
Changes in drum sensitivity
To maintain good copy quality, the machine does the following just after the main switch has been
turned on (if the fusing temperature is less than 100 C and Auto Process Control [SP] is selected).
1) Potential Sensor Calibration
2) VSG Adjustment
3) VG (Grid Voltage) Adjustment
4) LD Power Adjustment
5) VREF Update
This process is known as Process Control Initial Setting. The rest of this section will describe these
steps in more detail.
Processes 1, 3, and 4 in the above list compensate for changes in drum potential. Processes 2 and
5 are for toner density control.
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1012
PROCESS CONTROL
The drum potential sensor [A] detects the electric potential of the drum surface [B].
Since the output of the sensor is affected by environmental conditions, such as temperature and
humidity, the sensor needs recalibration at times. This is done during process control initial setting.
The development power pack [C] has two relay contacts. Usually RA102 grounds the drum.
However, to calibrate the sensor, RA102 and RA101 switch over and apply the power pack output
voltage to the drum shaft [D].
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261
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1013
The machine automatically calibrates the drum potential sensor by measuring the output of the
sensor when 200V and 700V are applied to the drum. From these two readings, the machine can
determine the actual drum potential from the potential sensor output that is measured during
operation.
During calibration, if the rate of change in drum potential sensor response to applied voltage is out of
the target range, SC370 is logged and auto process control turns off. The VG and LD power
adjustments are skipped; VG is set to the value stored in SP2-001-01, and LD power is set to the
values stored in SP2-103.
VSG adjustment
This calibrates the ID sensor output for a bare drum to 4.0, 0.2V. It does this by changing the
intensity of the light shining on the drum from the sensor. This is done automatically during process
control initial setting, and it can also be done manually with SP3-001-002.
If the ID sensor output cannot be adjusted to within the standard, SC350 is logged and toner density
control is done using the TD sensor only.
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1014
PROCESS CONTROL
VG Adjustment
The potential on unexposed areas of the drum
(VD) gradually changes during drum life. To keep
VD constant, the grid voltage (VG) is adjusted
during process control initial setting. The SBICU
checks VD using the drum potential sensor [A]. If
it is not within the target range (-900V + 10V),
the SBICU adjusts VG (Grid Voltage) through the
Charge/Grid power pack to get the correct target
voltage. The most recently detected values can
be displayed with SP3-902-2 (VD) and 3-902-4
(VG). If the CPU cannot get VD within the target
range by changing VG, VG is set to the previous
value and SC 370 is logged. For details of how
the machine determines an abnormal sensor
detection see the A229 service manual (p7-9).
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263
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1015
LD power adjustment
This adjustment uses the drum potential sensor
to keep the ID sensor pattern at the same
density, so that VREF will be updated correctly
(see the next page). The VH pattern is
developed using the current LD power (the
density is the same as the ID sensor pattern).
The drum potential sensor detects the potential
on this pattern. The LD power is adjusted until
VH becomes 300V +20V. This is done only
during process control initial setting.
The latest VH can be displayed using SP3-902-3. The corrected LD power can be displayed using
SP3-902-5 (the default is stored in SP2-103-1-4). See Laser exposure for more details about laser
power. If VH cannot be adjusted to within the standard within 25 attempts, LD power is set to the
latest value (the one used for the 25th attempt) and SC 370 is logged. For details of how the
machine determines an abnormal sensor detection.
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1016
PROCESS CONTROL
VREF Update
The TD sensor reference voltage (VREF) is updated to stabilize the concentration of toner in the
development unit as follows;
New VREF = Current VREF +
VREF
50 or more copies have been made since the last VREF update
The copy job is finished
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265
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1017
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1018
PROCESS CONTROL
Copy #
Rest Time
0 to 1 minute
1 to 6 minutes
6 to 30 minutes
0.5 to 3 hours
Over 3 hours
<----------------------------------V3-------------------------------- >
1
2
3,4
5,6
7-11
12
30
60
90
120
150
30
30
60
90
120
0
0
30
60
90
0
0
0
30
60
0
0
0
0
30
0
0
0
0
0
The drum sensitivity often drops slightly over the first few cycles of a copy run. This is because the
light from the exposure lamp fatigues the drum slightly. The amount that it drops depends on the rest
time between copy runsthe longer the rest time the greater the change.
The A029/A058 copiers increase the bias at the beginning of each copy run to prevent variations in
the image density of the first few copies. The bias increase is shown in the above table.
When the main switch is turned on, the CPU will automatically select the greater than three hours
rest time compensation level.
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267
Page
1019
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268
Page
1020
Color Processes
This chapter of the Core Basics Reference Manual deals with
color specific principles and processes. Discussions of
monochromatic specific process or general subjects
that are not affected by color will be found in other
chapters.
3ULQFLSOHVRI&RORU
&RORU6FDQQLQJ
&RORU'HYHORSPHQW
&RORU,PDJH7UDQVIHU
,PDJH)LOHV
Principles of Color
When discussing the processes involved in color
copying, it is important to understand what light is
and how just three basic colors can create a vast
array of colors.
Electromagnetic Waves
Once thought to be the smallest particles of
matteratomshave over time been shown to
consist of a variety of subatomic particles. These
subatomic particles are organized into three
groupshadrons, leptons, and bosons.
April
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269
Page
1021
Color Processes
Color Scanning
Color Scanning
In this section we will look at the aspects of image
scanning and photoconductor exposure that are
unique to color systems. The details of processes
that are common to both color and black/white
systems are covered in Photocopying Processes
and Digital Processes chapters.
Ricoh color products have used three different
scanning methods, depending on the underlying
basic architecture of the machines. These
methods can be classified as color analog
scanning/exposure, digital systems using lens and
mirror scanning, and direct scanning digital
systems using a fiber optic array. We will discuss
and look at examples of each.
The number of scans that a color copier makes
depends on the amount of memory it has. Most
color copiers must make one scan per color.
However, digital color copiers with a large amount
of memoryfor example model A269can store
the full image data for all colors and need only
one scan per image.
April
2008 2004
3 January
Analog
Color Processes
Color Scanning
Analog Scanning
Most color machines are digital. However, there
are some analog color machines in the field.
The color analog scanning and exposure is
basically the same as the systems used for black
and white analog copiers. (See and Exposure in
the Photocopying Processes chapter.) The only
difference is that filters have to be used to
separate the colors and the original has to be
scanned for each of the primary colors to be
reproduced.
Example: Models A030 and A072
The illustration to the right shows the scanning
mechanism of models A030/A072.
During the copy cycle, an image of the original is
reflected onto the drum surface via the optics
assembly.
Three color filters (red, green, and blue) and a
neutral filter are mounted on a rotor. The three
color filters are used when the full color mode is
selected or single color erase mode is selected.
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271
Page
1060
Color Processes
Color Scanning
[A]
[B]
[C]
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272
Page
1061
Color Processes
Color Scanning
[C]
[A]
[D]
[E]
[F]
[B]
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273
Page
1062
Color Processes
Color Scanning
3
5000
Page
274
Page
1063
Color Processes
Color Scanning
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275
Page
1064
Color Processes
Color Scanning
[A]
[C]
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[B]
[E]
Page
276
Page
1065
Color Processes
Color Scanning
45
1 pixel
62.5 m
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277
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1066
Color Processes
Color Development
Color Development
Like black and white machines, color copiers and
printers use dual-component development or
monocomponent development systems. However,
color systems require a separate development
unit for each color, and they must make at least
one development cycle per color.
The development systems of Ricoh color products
can be classified into three groups(1) systems
with the development units arranged in fixed
positions around the photoconductor, (2) systems
with a revolver that brings the development units
to the photoconductor when needed, and (3)
tetradrive systems. This section looks at
representative examples of each group.
Development
units in fixed
positions
2nd
Y
d
1st
Development units
on a revolver
Tetradrive
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1067
Color Processes
Color Development
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279
Page
1068
Color Processes
Color Development
[G]
[D]
[H]
[C]
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280
Page
1069
Color Processes
Color Development
[A]
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281
Page
1070
Color Processes
Color Development
[A]
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282
Page
1071
Color Processes
Color Development
Revolver Systems
M
2nd
Y
1st
[A]
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283
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1072
Color Processes
Color Development
Tetradrive Systems
[D]
The tetradrive system uses four print engines lined up in a row. It has
four drums, four laser beams, four charge corona units, four transfer
corona units, and four development units. The four print engines allow
the creation of the CMYK images simultaneously, thus greatly
increasing the full color copy speed. The primary drawback of the
tetradrive system is expense.
[E]
[C]
[B]
[A]
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Page
1073
Color Processes
Color Development
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285
Page
1074
Color Processes
Color Development
Copy
Fuzzy Control
Page
286
Page
1075
Color Processes
Color Development
20 mm
20 mm
Color Processes
Page
287
Page
1076
Color Development
Page
288
Page
1077
Color Processes
Color Development
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Color Processes
Page
289
Page
1078
Color Development
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290
Page
1079
Color Processes
Color Development
TD Sensor Output
The relationship between the TD sensor output Vt
and the toner density in the developer is shown in
the figure on the right. The target toner density of
this copier is 5 WT%. The TD sensor output for
this toner density is referred to as Vref. Vref of this
copier is adjusted to 2.5 0.1 volts for a toner
density of 5 WT% (brand-new developer) for each
of the C, M, Y, and K toners. When developers
are replaced, since TD sensor fluctuations can
occur in such a case, it is necessary to initialize
the TD sensor and adjust its gain using SP3-005-1
through SP3-005-5.
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Page
1080
Color Processes
Color Development
[C]
[B]
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[A]
[D]
Page
292
Page
1081
Color Processes
OPC drum
Transfer
belt
Paper
Page
293
Page
1082
Color Processes
OPC drum
Paper
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Page
1083
Color Processes
Image Files
Image Files
Instead of being printed immediately, scanned data can be stored as an image file for later use. As a
growing number of machines produce or use these image files, a basic understanding of file types
becomes increasingly necessary.
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295
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1089
Light Sources
Semiconductor Components
Sensors and Switches
Clutches, Motors, and Solenoids
Other Electrical Components
Consumables
Standard Components
Light Sources
Our products use a variety of different light sources. These range from intense sources such as
halogen lamps to relatively weak sources such as LED arrays. The light source selected depends on
the functionoriginal exposure, quenching, etc.and the machine design. The most important light
sources from a design point of view are those commonly used for original exposure (scanning)the
halogen lamp, the fluorescent lamp, and the xenon lamp. The most basic characteristics of these
three lamps are summarized in the following table.
Halogen
Fluorescent
Xenon
Light Intensity
High
Low
Low
Spectrum
Wide
Narrow
Narrow
Temperature dependency*
Small
Large
Large
Stability at start-up
Good
Poor
Good
Heat output
Large
Small
Smallest
Cost
High
Low
Lowest
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Light Sources
Halogen Lamp
A Halogen lamp is an incandescent lamp filled with
halogen gas (iodine or bromine). The halogen gas
suppresses filament evaporation using a chemical
regeneration process known as the halogen cycle
(see below). Halogen lamps have a long effective
life and strong light output.
Characteristics
halogen.pcx
Halogen Cycle
During lamp operation, the halogen gas combines with tungsten molecules that have evaporated off
the filament. The evaporated tungsten molecules are then deposited back onto the filament, instead
of on the lamp wall. Consequently, there is almost no reduction of light output from lamp wall
darkening. Some light reduction from filament degradation does occur, but it is significantly lower
than in other incandescent lamps. The halogen regenerative process requires that tungsten-halogen
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Light Sources
lamps operate at an extremely high temperature, which slightly increases lamp efficiency, and
produces bright light and high temperatures. To withstand these high temperatures, tungstenhalogen lamps usually have quartz glass walls. Halogen lamps with quartz walled bulbs must be
handled carefully. Quartz materials are extremely sensitive to oil and dirt from human skin, which can
cause bulb wall deterioration, and premature lamp failure.
Applications
The intense light and wide spectral output of the halogen lamp suit it to color copiers and high-speed
copiers. However, as it consumes a lot of electricity and undergoes drastic rises in temperature, it is
generally not used for low-speed copiers and single scanner models. Since halogen lamps output a
large amount of heat, they are also commonly used as a heat source in fusing units.
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298
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1116
Standard Components
Light Sources
Fluorescent Lamp
A fluorescent lamp is a closed glass tube that has
electrodes at each end and an internal coated surface of
a phosphorous material. The tube is filled with argon gas
(or argon/krypton gas) mixed with a small amount of
mercury vapor. When a suitable high voltage is applied
across the electrodes, an electric arc forms and the
resulting current ionizes the mercury vapor. The ionized
mercury emits ultraviolet radiation, which strikes and
excites the phosphor coating, causing it to glow and
produce visible light.
Characteristics
Standard Components
Lamp heater
Fluorescent lamp
fluorsnt.pcx
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299
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1117
Light Sources
Applications
Fluorescent lamps are suited for use in low-speed color copiers as well as medium-speed black and
white copiers. They are the most commonly used type of lamp in fax machines. However, the light
quantity changes depending on the tube temperature; and a lamp heater may be included to solve
this problem.
Some Ricoh machines use a variation of the fluorescent lamp, called the cold cathode fluorescent
lamp (sometimes called CFL or CCFL), as a quenching lamp or pre-transfer lamp. CFLs are also
sometimes used as the exposure lamp in image scanners.
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300
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1118
Standard Components
Light Sources
Xenon Lamps
A xenon lamp is a tube filled with xenon gas. When a voltage is applied across the lamp terminals,
the xenon gas ionizes and current flows through the gas, which emits light. The terminals do not
have to be preheated, unlike in fluorescent lamps.
There are different kinds of xenon lamp. The xenon lamps used in black and white digital machines
output a yellowish-green light with a peak at 543 nm. The xenon lamps used with color machines
utilize fluorescence as well as gas discharge to produce white light.
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301
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1119
Light Sources
Characteristics
Applications
Xenon lamps can be used as exposure lamps for printers, lower speed copiers, fax machines, and
scanners.
Recently, xenon lamps have been increasingly used in digital products. This is mainly due to
improvements in the spectral sensitivity of CCDs, which allows use of the more economical xenon
lamp.
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Light Sources
xenon.pcx
The typical xenon flash lamp circuit consists of four parts: (1) power supply, (2) energy storage
capacitor, (3) trigger circuit, and (4) the flash lamp itself. It operates as follows:
The energy storage capacitor connected across the flash lamp is charged by the power supply.
(The energy storage capacity is quite large.)
The charge on the trigger capacitor to is dumped into the primary of a pulse transformer whose
secondary is connected to the trigger electrodes. The pulse generated by this trigger is enough
to ionize the xenon gas inside the flash lamp.
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303
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1121
Light Sources
The resistance of the ionized xenon gas is very low and the energy storage capacitor
discharges through the flash lamp, which then emits a brilliant burst of light.
Characteristics
Produces an intense peak of radiant energy.
Since flash lamps use a high voltage, precautions must be taken against electric shocks.
Applications
Xenon flash lamps are suited for use in high-speed black-and-white copiers. They are also
occasionally used as the heat source for flash fusing.
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304
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1122
Standard Components
Light Sources
Neon Lamps
Like the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, a neon lamp uses a cold cathode to excite the atoms of a
gas in an enclosed tube. However, the light is emitted by the neon gas in the tube rather than by a
phosphorous coating inside the tube. The neon gas gives an orangish-red light.
Applications
In Ricoh products, neon lamps are used only as quenching lamps.
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305
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1123
Standard Components
Light Sources
LED Arrays
LED stands for light emitting diode. As the name
implies, an LED is a diode that emits light when a
small electric current passes through it. LEDs are
commonly used as display devices and indicators
(see the next section), but they can also be
mounted together in an array and used as a light
source.
Characteristics
LED arrays can be wired so that the LEDs can be
turned on/off in blocks to provide precise
illumination.
LED arrays are useful where compact components
are required.
Applications
In Ricoh products, LED arrays are used for document
exposure in small fax machines and scanners. They
are commonly used as quenching lamps in analog and
digital copiers. Also, most analog copiers use them for
erase lamps. The illustration to the right shows an LED
array [A] used as an erase lamp in a copier.
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[A]
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306
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1124
Standard Components
Semiconductor Components
Semiconductor Components
This section deals with components that are based on semiconductors.
Diodes
+
Normal Diodes
A diode consists of a p-type semiconductor joined to an ntype semiconductor. A diode only passes current in one
direction. If it is connected up as shown opposite, current
will flow.
Current
flow
Symbol:
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307
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1125
Standard Components
Semiconductor Components
Zener Diodes
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VZ
Zener Diode
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308
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1126
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Semiconductor Components
Varistors
A varistor acts like two zener diodes connected back
to back. This means that it has positive and
negative breakdown voltages. A single zener diode
only has a negative breakdown voltage. Varistors
are used in similar ways to zener diodes. They are
also useful in protecting circuits against voltage
spikes. The example to the right shows a varistor
connected across a switch to eliminate sparking.
Vac
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309
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1127
Standard Components
Semiconductor Components
Current
flow
P
P
Symbol:
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310
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1128
Standard Components
Semiconductor Components
Laser Diodes
Natural light is a mixture of light of different
wavelengths. However, a laser beam consists of
light at one wavelength, and the waves are all in
phase (the peaks and troughs in the waves all
coincide).
As the waves are all in phase, the light is very
intense (if peaks and troughs do not coincide, they
tend to cancel each other out, reducing the power
of the beam).
Natural light can be focused, but it cannot be
focused to so fine a point as laser light can. This
is because a lens at the same angle does not
refract the different components of natural light,
having different wavelengths.
To the right is a simplified diagram of a laser
diode. Laser diodes can be considered as similar
to LEDs in operating principle; current flowing
across the pn junction causes energy to be
emitted in the form of light. LEDs emit light in all
directions. However, the pn junction in laser
diodes has a mirror at each end, reflecting the
light back into the diode. When the current
Current
flow
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Page
311
Page
1129
Standard Components
Semiconductor Components
Laser diode
LD Unit
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312
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1130
Standard Components
Semiconductor Components
Transistors
Bipolar Junction Transistors
A bipolar junction transistor contains two junctions
between p and n type semiconductor, and three
electrodes (the collector, the base, and the
emitter). The most common use of a transistor is
as a switch. They are also used in amplification
and rectification. There are two types of transistor:
the npn transistor, and the pnp transistor. The npn
transistor is the most commonly-used of these.
The diagrams to the right show the symbols for
both types of transistor, their construction, and the
direction of current flow. Notice that the batteries
in the pnp transistor circuit are connected up the
opposite way round from the npn transistor.
(Continued on next page.)
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Standard Components
NPN
Type
PNP
Type
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313
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1131
Semiconductor Components
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Page
314
Page
1132
Standard Components
Semiconductor Components
Phototransistors
A phototransistor works like an ordinary bipolar
transistor, except that the transistor is switched on
by light shining on the base region of the
transistor. The diagram on the right shows an npntype phototransistor.
In office machines, phototransistors are used in
photointerrupters, optoisolators, and reflective
photosensors.
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315
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1133
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316
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1134
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Characteristics
Applications
Reflective photosensors are used for detecting
paper in the paper path, paper size detection,
master belt position detection, and a number of
other functions.
A reflective photosensor
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317
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1135
Standard Components
ID Sensor
The ID sensor is a special application of the
reflective photosensor. Two types of ID sensor are
used as part of the process control system in
photocopiers.
Drum
Toner
Direct
reflection
ID sensor
LED
Diffused
reflection
ID sensor
Detector
Drum
Toner
Detector
LED
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Diffuse light
Page
318
Page
1136
Standard Components
Photointerrupters
A photointerrupter consists of an LED and a
phototransistor separated by a slot. The sensor
detects when something enters or leaves the slot,
such as an actuator, a part of the machine, or a
sheet of paper.
When there is no actuator in the slot, light from
the LED activates the phototransistor, and current
flows through it. However, if an actuator enters the
slot, light from the LED is blocked and current
cannot pass through the phototransistor.
Photointerrupters have a variety of uses in office
machines. They are commonly used as home
position detectors for moving parts such as lenses
and scanners and to detect paper as it moves
through the paper feed path. In machines such as
photocopiers that handle a variety of feed stock
photointerrupters are generally preferred over
reflective photosensors because photointerrupters
are not affected by the reflectivity of the paper.
Continued on next page.)
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319
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1137
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Characteristics
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[A]
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320
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1138
Standard Components
CCDs
Charge transfer
control signals
T1 T2 T3
Output
N
P
_
+
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321
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1139
Standard Components
T1 = V1
T2 = 0
1
__ _
_
T3 = 0
__ _
_
T1 = V1
T2 = V2
__ __
_ _ __
T3 = 0
__ __
_ _ __
T1 = 0
T2 = V1
__ _
_
T3 = 0
__ _
_
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1140
Standard Components
electrode 3. The result of this is that one element shifts all the charges along, and the element
charges at the end of the CCD shift out of the CCD. By continuing this process, all the charges shift
out of the CCD. The series of charges appears on the CCD output line as a serial analog video
signal. This signal passes to the video processing circuits, allowing the next line of the original to be
scanned.
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323
Page
1141
Standard Components
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[B]
[A]
[C]
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324
Page
1142
Standard Components
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325
Page
1143
Standard Components
Thermistors
A thermistor is a device that undergoes a very
large change of resistance with temperature. The
name is derived from thermally sensitive
resistor. Typically, a thermistor is made from a
semiconductor or sintered metal oxides.
Most types have a negative temperature
coefficientthat is, the resistance decreases as
the temperature increases. However, some
positive temperature coefficient varieties are also
available. The material can be formed into rods or
small beads, but for sensing purposes the small
bead shape is generally used in order to get the
fastest possible response.
[A]
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326
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1144
Standard Components
Microswitches
Microswitches are electromechanical devices,
which contain two contacts. They are modular,
inexpensive, resistant to dust and contamination
as well as metered. This means that any time the
actuator is depressed, the contacts of the switch
will close at the same point each time. These
switches have a characteristic sound or click when
the contacts close. The main advantage of a
microswitch is its durability and its consistency.
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327
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1145
Reed Switches
Reed switches are magnetically operated
components with contacts hermetically sealed in a
glass capsule. Bringing a permanent magnet to
the switch or placing the switch in or near an
electromagnet causes the contact reeds to flex
and touch, completing the circuit. Either protective
inert gas or a vacuum within the capsule keeps
the contacts clean, protecting them for the life of
the device.
Due to their lack of mechanical parts, reed
switches are maintenance-free and remain
unaffected by temperature change, moisture,
chemicals, dust, abrasive fluids and other hostile
surroundings.
Features:
Reliable
Non-mechanical
Long operating life
Compact
Rugged
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328
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1146
Standard Components
Thermoswitches
As the name implies, a thermoswitch (also known as
thermal switch or thermostat) is a temperature
controlled switch.
Thermoswitches have contacts made of two
dissimilar metals molecularly bonded together.
These are called bi-metal contacts. The two metals
expand and contract at different rates with changes
in temperature. As the temperature rises the bi-metal
contacts start to flex, and at a certain temperature,
the contacts will open. At a lower, temperature, the
contacts will close again.
The difference between the opening and closing
temperature of a thermoswitch is the "hysterisis" or
"differential" of the device. Some thermoswitches,
such as those used in deep fat cookers or popcorn
machines, have a narrow hysterisis. However, In
Ricoh products, thermoswitches are usually
overheating safety devices with a large hysterisis.
For example, the thermoswitch used in the 1st
scanner of model A257 opens at 140C but will not
close again until its temperature drops to -35C!
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3 January
Standard Components
A collection of thermoswitches.
(Photo courtesy of Elmwood
Sensors, Inc.)
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329
Page
1147
Page
330
Page
1148
Standard Components
Outer
magnet
Casing
Inner
magnet
Drive
shaft
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Page
331
Page
1149
Standard Components
Rotor
Magnetic
ring
Input
hub
Output
hub
Ferrite
powder
Ferrite
ring
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Page
332
Page
1150
Standard Components
Electromagnetic Clutches
The illustration to the right diagrams the basic
[D]
parts of an electromagnetic clutch. Gear [A] is
driven by a motor. This gear is an idle gear; it
does not drive the roller shaft [B]. Shaft [B] is
attached to the rotatable part [C] of the clutch, and
held in place by an E-ring [D].
When the clutch is switched on, current flows
through the coil [E]. The magnetic field generated
by this coil attracts plate [F], which is connected to
gear [A]. The motor is still turning gear [A], and
when plate [F] comes into contact with the rotating
part of the clutch [C], the roller shaft begins to
turn.
[E]
[F]
[A]
[B]
[C]
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Standard Components
Page
333
Page
1151
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334
Page
1152
Standard Components
Spring Clutch
A spring clutch is purely mechanical clutch. It is a
simple device that consists of two separate pieces fitted
inside a coiled spring. One piece called the drive hub,
supplies rotation from a motor. The other piece, called
the output hub, delivers the rotation of the drive hub to
a shaft. Under normal circumstances, the spring grips
both pieces very tightly, so they function as one unit
and pass on the rotation from the motor. The clutchs
release mechanism is a sleeve that surrounds the
spring. The sleeve is attached to one end of the
springthe clutch spring tail. The other end of the
spring is engaged with the output hub. When the sleeve
is kept from turning, the spring expands away from the
drive hub, disengaging the drive.
Spring
tail
Drive
Hub
Sleeve
projection
Output
Hub
Sleeve
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Standard Components
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335
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1153
3 January
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1154
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145
336
Standard Components
Dc Motors
Electric motors are based on the following two
observations:
x When current flows along a wire, a magnetic
field develops about that wire.
x When two magnetic fields are close to each
other, an attractive or a repulsive force is felt.
So, if a wire carrying current is placed in a
magnetic field, a magnetic field develops around
the wire, and a force is exerted on the wire. The
force is strongest if the wire is at 90 to the
magnetic field. The force is also at 90 to the wire.
If there is no angle between the wire and the field,
there is no force. This is summarized in the
diagram opposite; the wire would be forced
directly upwards, away from the plane of the
paper.
If a loop of wire is placed in a magnetic field, the
current direction is opposite on each side of the
loop. This means that one side has an upward
force on it, and the other side has a downward
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1155
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337
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338
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Brushless DC Motors
In the dc motor described above, the magnet is
stationary while the coil rotates. In the brushless
dc motor, the coil is stationary and the magnet
moves.
In a typical example, nine coils are attached to the
motor drive board, arranged in a circle around the
shaft. A circular magnet, com-posed of eight
alternating north and south polarized segments,
fits around the outside of these coils. The magnet
is bonded to a metal cover, which is bolted to the
motor shaft.
As shown in the diagram, the coils are wired up so
that there are three north poles, three south poles,
and three neutral positions around the center. To
rotate the magnet, the motor drive board switches
the positions of the poles in such a way that the
magnet is always pulled around in the same
direction.
Ricoh products primarily use two types of
brushless dc motorsservomotors and stepper
motors.
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339
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1157
Standard Components
Servomotors
Servomotors use feedback to maintain a constant
rotating speed. To check that a dc servomotor is
running at the correct speed, the drive board
contains a circuit known as a phase-locked loop.
An oscillator generates a reference frequency.
The circuit board contains a detector that converts
the motors rotation into another frequency signal.
The phase detector compares both signals; a
feedback signal is sent to the motor drive board to
adjust the motor speed until it reaches the correct
value. When the motor is at the correct speed, the
two frequencies are the same.
Rotor
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3 January
Stator
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340
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1158
Standard Components
Stepper Motors
Stepper motors are used whenever accurate
positioning of a component is required.
The outer shell of the motor is stationary. Coils are
wound around teeth attached to this shell. The
core of the motor, made of iron, can rotate. The
arrangement of the teeth is such that, if pulses are
applied to the coils in the correct timing sequence,
the core of the motor can be rotated in stepwise
increments of a few degrees.
In the example shown here, when phase 1 is
energized, two of the teeth on the motor core will
align with the coils on the outer shell, but the other
four teeth will be out of alignment. Then, if phase
2 is energized, the core rotates by 15 to align
two of the other teeth. If phases 1, 2, 3, and 4 are
energized in sequence continuously, the motor will
drive the shaft in increments of 15 . The order of
activating the coils can be varied to give different
effects, such as reverse motion, or coarser steps.
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341
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1159
Standard Components
The stator
A typical stepper
motor
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The Rotor
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342
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1160
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Solenoids
The solenoid is one of the oldest, simplest and
most commonly used electromagnetic devices. It
consists of a hollow electromagnet (coil) and a
movable plunger that fits inside. When an electric
current energizes the coil, it creates an electromagnetic force around the coil. This force causes
the plunger to move into the coil. The picture to
the right shows a disassembled solenoid.
Plunger
Coil
Direction of motion
Coil
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Plunger
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343
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1161
Standard Components
[B]
[C]
[D]
[A]
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345
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1163
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block 0, and the data in the block 0 elements passes from the latch to the heating elements (for a
black dot, the element is heated). After all elements for block 0 have been printed, pin D goes high
again. Then blocks 1 (pin E), 2 (pin F), and 3 (pin G) are sent in sequence, in the same way as block
0.
The duration of the strobe pulse determines how much an element is heated to make a black dot.
The CPU monitors the thermistor on the thermal head (see section 3-5-4). The CPU calculates the
strobe pulse width based on the thermistor reading and on the value for the pulse width entered
using service mode when the head was installed.
NOTE: In most models, the pulse width must be programmed using a service function
after installing a new thermal head or system RAM board (called the MBU in
most fax models). In a few models, the pulse width is programmed
automatically.
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347
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Internal Structure
Block 1
Block 2
Block 3
CPU
FCU
24V
Heating Element
Circuit
Element
Latch
Shift Register
STROBE
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3 January
LATCH
DATA
CLOCK
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348
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Block 1
7 Driver
ICs
Block 2
7 Driver
ICs
24V
Block 3
6 Driver
ICs
CPU
FCU
Driver IC
STROBE
64 Heating Elements
LATCH
Latch
DATA
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Standard Components
Shift Register
CLOCK
Page
349
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1167
LCDs
LCD is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. An
LCD is a digital display that consists of two sheets of
glass separated by hermetically sealed liquid crystal
material. The liquid crystal is normally transparent.
The outer surface of each glass sheet has a
transparent conductive coating, forming front and
back electrodes. On the viewing side, the conductive
coating is arranged as either a matrix of dots (for
example for a computer display) or character forming
segments (for example the 7-segment display
elements of a calculator). Leads at the edge of the
display attach to the segments or the lines of the
matrix. A voltage applied between the front and back
electrodes, causes the liquid crystal molecules to
change alignment and thus become reflective. The
reflectivity of the liquid crystal segments can vary
depending on the amount of voltage applied.
Some LCDs depend on the reflection of ambient light
for viewing. However, most larger displays use a
backlight. The illustrations to the right show LCD
displays used on model A201 (upper picture) and
model A246 (lower picture).
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Characteristics
Lightweight and thin construction
Not naturally radiant, a light source is required.
More expensive than CRTs (Still true but prices are dropping.)
Applications
LCDs are used as display screens.
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351
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1169
Consumables
Consumables
Photoconductors
The photoconductora photoconductive drum or belt is the heart of most imaging processes. The
photoconductor's surface is where the latent image is formed and then developed. Photoconductors
have the following characteristics:
They are able to accept a high negative electrical charge in the dark. (The electrical resistance
of a photo-conductor is high in the absence of light)
The electrical charge dissipates when the photoconductor is exposed to light. (Exposure to
light greatly increases the conductivity of a photoconductor.)
The amount of charge dissipation is in direct proportion to the intensity of the light. That is,
where stronger light is directed to the photo-conductor surface, a smaller voltage remains.
Our products use two types of photoconductors. One type is a selenium based inorganic
photoconductor. That type was used in the past for analog copiers. The other type is an organic
photoconductor (OPC) that is used for analog and digital copiers, plain paper facsimiles, and laser
printers. Recently, all such products use OPCs instead of inorganic photoconductors.
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352
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Consumables
Electrode
Substrate
CT material
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353
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Standard Components
Consumables
Selenium
Many of the copiers in the field use selenium drum
photoconductors. These drums consist of a layer
of selenium or a selenium alloy bonded to an
aluminum base.
Type H
Type F
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Se-Te Layer
Al Core
Al
(Base)
Se-As Layer
Al Core
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Consumables
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Selenium drum
with a heater
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Agitator
A type of mechanical mixing device; used in copiers in the toner supply to keep toner
particles separated; also used in the development unit to combine toner and carrier,
creating twocomponent developer.
AI Short Protocol
Artificial Intelligence Short Protocol reduces the time required for the protocol
exchange with a particular terminal by saving the communication parameters and the
modem rate used to send the last page of a transmission. These parameters are used
for the start of the next transmission to that terminal.
The air knife paper separation process uses jets of air to separate sheets of paper for
paper feed.
Attenuation
After the modem converts data to serial and modulates it, the data passes through an
attenuator, which adjusts the TX level.
Auger
Automatic Document
Feeder (ADF)
A motorized device that allows automatic feeding, alignment and stacking of multiple
originals, greatly improving the overall efficiency of photocopying.
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Automatic Document
Handler (ADH)
An advanced type of document feeder that can recycle and reverse originals.
Autorouting
When a G3 fax message with a SUB code is received, the machine compares it with
the personal codes stored in the machine with e-mail addresses. If there is a match,
the machine automatically routes the message to that e-mail address.
Baud Rate
The Baud Rate is the number of bits per second divided by the number of bits per
Baud.
Bias Roller
A bias roller is a roller that has a constant electric voltage applied to it. Such rollers are
used at various places in copiers and printers. A typical use is in a copiers cleaning
system, where a bias roller is often used to attract toner removed by a cleaning blade
or brush.
Bipolar Junction
Transistor
Block Diagram
A kind of electronic map that divides a system into a number of functional blocks; it
shows all the interconnections among the blocks, but generally does not show detail
inside them.
Bond
A category of papers, consisting of many individual types. Most bond papers are
suitable for use in plain-paper copiers.
Breakdown Voltage
The voltage at which current will flow in reverse through a diode. Regular diodes will
generally be destroyed if a reverse voltage greater than the breakdown voltage is
applied; however, zener diodes are designed to operate at the breakdown voltage.
See Zener Diode.
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Brushless DC Motor
In standard DC motors, the magnet is stationary while the coil rotates, and brushes
complete the electrical contact to the rotor. However, In a brushless DC motor, the coil
is stationary and the magnet moves.
Call Collision
Prevention
After the scanning the document, the machine checks whether there is an incoming
fax message. The machine cannot dial if there is an incoming message. This differs
between North American, and European and Asian models. See North American
models and European and Asian models.
Carrier (copiers)
Carrier (facsimile)
The carrier is the base frequency wave that fax machines use for communication. To
transmit data, fax machines superimpose a modulating signal onto the carrier wave by
varying the frequency, amplitude, or phase (or a combination of these) in a standard
manner. See Modulation Techniques.
Central Processing Unit A microprocessor chip that is used as the primary control and information processing
device in a sophisticated electronic system.
(CPU)
Charge
The first step in the copy process; during the charge process, an even electrical
charge is applied to the photoconductor, preparing it to receive the image of an original
during exposure.
A corona unit used for the first step in the copy process, to apply an even high
voltage charge to the photoconductor; usually ventilated by a blower to help distribute
ions during charging.
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Charge Coupled
Device (CCD)
Cleaning
That step in the copy process during which residual toner particlesthose left behind
after image transferare removed from the photoconductor. Cleaning relies mainly on
mechanical systems but electrostatic forces may also be used.
Cleaning Blade
An element in a copiers cleaning system. After a copy has been made, the cleaning
blade acts like a windshield wiper, riding along the surface of the photoconductor to
wipe off all remaining toner particles.
Cleaning Brush
An element in a copiers cleaning system. After a copy has been made, the cleaning
brush removes the residual toner from the surface of the photoconductor. See Bias
Roller.
Clutch
A control device for rotational movement; a clutch will either be engaged, locking its
components together and transferring rotation, or disengaged, letting its components
turn separately and preventing the transfer of rotation.
Clutch, Magnetic
Clutch, Magnetic
Spring
Clutch, Slip
Clutch, Spring
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Coefficient of Friction
(of paper)
The coefficient of friction directly affects the efficiency of paper feeding. It must be high
enough that the feed and transport rollers can get a good grip. However, it must be low
enough that the sheets of paper slip over each other.
Cold Cathode
Fluorescent Lamp
The contact image sensor (CIS) is a compact image reading assembly containing an
LED array, an array of self-focusing optic fibers (SELFOC), and a strip of light
detectors, such as phototransistors. The CIS is used instead of the CCD in the most
compact of fax machines.
(CIS)
Corona Unit
A copier component that uses a high electrical voltage to create a localized electrical
field of charged ions; various kinds of corona units are used at different points in the
copy process. See Pre-Cleaning, Quenching, Transfer And Separation Corona Units.
Corona Wire
A thin wire usually made from tungsten and coated with carbon. Mounted inside a
corona unit, it carries the high voltage needed to generate an electrical field for a
specific copier application.
Cross Mixing
The process by which toner and carrier are mixed together inside a copier; also
creates and distributes the triboelectric charge that binds the toner to the carrier
particles.
Current
Part of a fax circuit; it compresses the data before sending it out over the telephone
line. It also reconstructs compressed data coming in from the telephone line.
DC Motor
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DC motor, Brushless
Developer,
Mono-component
Developer,
Two-component
Development
That step in the copy process which first produces a visible image on the
photoconductor. During development, toner is applied to the photoconductor, where it
is electrically attracted to the latent image formed during exposure.
Development Roller
Diode
Diode, Zener
DNS
Domain Name System is a service that enables the IP address to be obtained from the
host under the TCP/IP network environment.
Doctor Blade
Dual Component Toner Toner designed to work in a dual-component development system. This toner is
similar to the non-magnetic type monocomponent toner. It works with a separate
particle known as a carrier. The mixture of toner and carrier is known as developer.
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Duplex Unit
A paper handling device that permits the making of two-sided copies without manual
intervention by the user. Available through the installation of a peripheral duplex unit
on mid-size copiers, duplexing is a standard feature on most high-volume machines.
Duplexing
ECM Memory
Electromagnetic Clutch
A type of clutch which contains its own electromagnetic actuator. When the clutchs
coil is energized, two metal plates are pulled together and transmit rotation to a given
component. When not energized, the two plates are separated by a spring, and no
rotation is transmitted.
Electronic mail is a system in which messages in the form of digital data are sent and
received between computers.
Erase Lamp
A component which removes certain parts of the latent image after exposure. After
considering reproduction ratio and paper size, the main control board turns on specific
sections of the erase lamp to remove the charge from the photoconductor outside the
desired image area.
Estimated Fillbit
Control-EFC
This process was developed by Ricoh to improve the efficiency of MH, MR, and MMR
coding.
Ethernet
This is the most commonly used LAN. See Ethernet Frame Structure.
Exposure
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Exposure Lamp
Part of a copiers exposure and optical systems; provides the necessary illumination to
create a reflected image from an original, which in turn creates an electrical latent
image on the photoconductor.
Fax On Demand-FOD
One of the standard paper feeding systems; the FRR (feed and reverse roller) feed
mechanism consists of a pick-up roller, a feed roller, and a reverse roller.
Feed Roller
The first roller to handle paper a copiers paper feed system; pulls individual sheets
from a paper supply, feeding them into the copier where they are passed to other
rollers in the paper path.
FIFO Memory
Fluorescent Lamp
A lamp consisting of a gas-filled, closed glass tube that has electrodes at each end
and an internal coated surface of a phosphorous material.
Frequency shift keying (FSK) is s type of frequency modulation that is used for
transmitting digital signals.
Fusing
The step in the copy process that bonds toner to a sheet of paper. Heat and pressure
melt toner and force it into the paper surface, creating a copy that meets or exceeds
the durability of the original.
Fusing Lubrication
System
Gray Scale
Part of a copiers fusing system, needed to keep toner from sticking to the fusing
rollers. Uses an absorbent pad and/or a blade to coat the rollers with silicone oil.
A row of small test patches showing a full range of image density, from solid black to
paper white, usually in five to ten steps. Printed on a copier test chart. It is a gauge for
the side-to-side and overall image density of the machine.
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Grid Plate
Part of the charging system in copiers that use an Organic Photoconductor (OPC).
OPCs are more sensitive to high voltage charges, so the grid plate acts as a regulator
between the OPC surface and the charge corona.
Hall effect sensors are used in some network control units (NCU) of fax machines to
detect line current.
Halogen Lamp
Hot Roller
I/O Rate
In fax machines this refers to the amount of time necessary for the scanner or printer
to process one scan line of image data. Modulation and demodulation are not included
in this time measurement.
ID Sensor
A photosensor that measures the image density (reflectivity) of the drum and of a test
pattern (ID sensor pattern). The output of this sensor is used to control toner supply.
ID Sensor Pattern
Image Density
A standard pattern that is exposed and developed for sensing by the ID sensor.
The system in a copier that compensates for the variation in reflectivity among
different originals. Some adjust the brightness of the exposure lamp. Others regulate
toner transfer during development, by adjusting a bias circuit. In either case, image
density controls can be manual, automatic or both.
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The part of a copiers fusing system that contains the fusing heat source, usually a
halogen lamp. The hot roller is usually coated with Teflon, and works with the pressure
roller. See Pressure Roller.
The quality of an original or copy that describes its relative lightness or darkness; high
image density refers to a very dark copy, low image density refers to a very light copy
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Interleave Duplexing
ITU-T Standards
JBIG Compression
The JBIG compression method consists of four processes: conversion to bi-level data,
progressive coding, division into strips, and coding.
LAN
A copier peripheral that holds a much greater amount of paper than a standard tray,
thereby enabling the copier to run for longer periods without the supply being refilled,
typically holds between 500 and 3000 sheets.
Laser Diode
Latent Image
LCD
LCD is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display. An LCD is a digital display that
consists of two sheets of glass separated by hermetically sealed liquid crystal material.
The liquid crystal is normally transparent.
LCT
Lead Edge
The first paper edge to contact the latent image on the photoconductor. The front
edge of a copy as it travels through the paper path.
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The removal of that portion of a latent image which corresponds to a narrow strip
along the lead edge of the copy, usually no more than 5 mm wide. This prevents a
dark line from the edge of the original document from appearing on the copy. Achieved
through the action of an erase lamp immediately after the exposure process.
LED Array
Line Buffer
A memory buffer that ensures synchronization of video data transfer between different
components of the circuit.
Magnetic Brush
Magnetic Clutch
Magnetic
Monocomponent Toner
Similar to the non-magnetic monocomponent toner, this type has iron oxide particles
encapsulated in the resin matrix of each individual particle of toner. The toner isnt
actually magnetic itself, but it can be attracted by a magnet.
The magnetic spring clutch is a hybrid of the electromagnetic and spring clutches.
Unlike the normal spring clutch, the spring is loose when idling.
Magnification Lines
Two lines of an identical specified length, one vertical and one horizontal, printed on a
copier test chart. Used to check the vertical and horizontal magnification of a copiers
optical system.
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Master Belt
Modified Huffman
Compression
This compression method has one-dimensional coding scheme codes scan line data
without reference to data on adjacent lines.
Microswitch
MIME
Modified MR
Compression
The Modified MR method uses the same algorithm as the MR method, but has 6 main
differences.
Modulating Signal
The data signal from the fax machine. See Modulation Techniques.
Moisture Content
(of paper)
Moisture content directly affects paper transport, copy quality, and curl. The generally
acceptable range is 4 ~ 6 percent moisture. See Paper Characteristics.
Monocomponent Toner
A special toner formulation that has both magnetic and electrical properties; functions
without carrier. See Monocomponent Developer.
Motor, Stepper
Moving Platen
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Moving Scanner
A type of scanning optical system in which originals are placed on a fixed glass
document surface, under which is a moving lamp and mirror assembly (the scanner).
This scanner moves under the original during an exposure. Found on most mediumto-high speed copiers; this design is also known as fixed platen scanning
Modified Read
Compression
This is the Modified Read compression method. It is an expanded form of the onedimensional run length encoding method. While the MH method encodes pixels in the
pixel scanning direction, the MR also takes notice of the pixels in the feed direction.
Neon Lamp
Similar to the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, but light emission is from the neon gas
rather than the phosphorous inside coating.
Network Interface
Circuits
The filters, relays, attenuators and other components in these circuits interface the
machine with the public telephone network.
Fill bits are never added to the data and the receiver uses the SAF memory or hard
disk instead of the FIFO memory. If the receiver's memory is full, it sends PIN to the
transmitter and the line is disconnected.
Non-magnetic
Monocomponent Toner
All-in-One toner that contains pigments for printing in a matrix of resin. This kind of
toner usually comes in a cartridge and is used with non-magnetic rollers.
Offset Image
A partial image that remains on the photoconductor or fusing rollers due to incomplete
cleaning and is transferred to subsequent copies.
Opacity of Paper
Paper must be sufficiently opaque to prevent image show through. This is especially
important in paper used for duplexing. Most brands of paper use some kind of filler to
enhance opacity. See Paper Characteristics.
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Organic
Photoconductor (OPC)
Over-toning
A condition that occurs when a copiers toner supply system is delivering too much
toner to the development unit; the excess toner builds up inside the copier, especially
around the photoconductor and paper path.
Paddle Roller
Part of the development unit of many copiers. It pushes charged developer (a mix of
toner and carrier) against the development roller, which picks up the developer
through magnetic attraction and brushes it over the latent image.
Paper Brightness
Paper Curl
Curl in paper is a major cause of transport problems resulting in misfeeds. See Paper
Characteristics.
The various rollers, belts, sensors and control devices that are responsible for moving
sheets of paper through the copier; begins with the paper supply, and ends with the
exit tray or sorter that holds the finished copies. See Paper Feed
Paper Size
There are several standard systems for measuring paper size. The most commonly
used is the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) series of paper sizes.
In the United States, paper sizes are usually measured in inches.
Paper Stiffness
Paper stiffness is a result of the orientation of the fibers within the paper. Stiffness
affects paper feeding and transport in copiers and laser printers. Paper is generally
two or three times stiffer in the with grain direction than in the cross grain direction.
See Paper Characteristics.
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Paper Weight
There are three systems for classifying paper weight. These are the ISO system
(g/m2), the USA system (lb), and the Japanese system (Kg).
Parallel Circuit
Phosphor
A chemical coating on the inside of a fluorescent tube that produces visible light when
struck by ultraviolet radiation. See Fluorescent Lamp.
Photoconductor
Photointerrupter
An electronic sensors that has a photocell and a light emitting diode (LED) on either
side of a small gap. When a tab on a moving component enters the gap, it blocks the
light from the LED, shutting off the photocell and signaling the components position to
the machines Main Control Board.
Phototransistor
A phototransistor works like an ordinary bipolar transistor, except that light shining on
the base of the transistor switches it on.
Pick-off Pawls
Point-to-point Diagram
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Polarity
The quality of electricity that describes its tendency to exist in either a positive or
negative state. In most electrical circuits, polarity determines the direction of current
flow. In electrostatic charges, polarity indicates the charge of ions that make up an
electrical field, and therefore determines the polarity of materials that can be attracted
by that field. A charge of a given polarity always attracts materials with a charge of the
opposite polarity
A type of phase modulation (PM) where data modulation occurs by altering the phase
of the carrier wave and frequency remains constant.
POP
Post Office Protocol servers are computers that receive mail using SMTP. The mail
includes a setting to ensure that it is directed to the POP server. POP servers are used
when the user is not permanently connected to the internet.
Pre-cleaning Corona
Unit
A corona unit used just before cleaning in the copy cycle. It creates an electrical field
that reduces the charge on the photoconductor before mechanical cleaning, making it
easier to remove leftover toner.
Pressure Roller
Part of a copiers fusing system. During fusing, toner is forced into the surface of the
paper by two rollers, the pressure roller and the hot roller. The pressure roller is
usually made of silicon rubber, to help it withstand heat and provide a good grip on the
paper. See Hot Roller.
Pre-transfer Lamp
Used in some copiers to reduce the charge of the latent image after development,
weakening its attraction just enough to assure a clean transfer. It also prevents toner
particles from being attracted back to the photoconductor during separation.
Process Control
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Protocol Signals
Fax machines use two types of signals: Single (short, timed transmitted tones like
CED and CNG) and frame-like HDLC signals that transmit digital information like DIS
and NSF.
PSTN
Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation (QAM)
Quenching
Quenching is the process that eliminates any residual electric charge remaining on the
photoconductor after the cleaning process. Quenching prepares the photoconductor
for the charge step of the next copy or print cycle.
Quenching Corona
A corona used at the end of the copy process; it creates an electrical field to help
remove latent image charge on the photoconductor after mechanical cleaning,
preparing the surface for the next copy cycle; always used in conjunction with a
quenching lamp
Quenching Lamp
Shines light on the surface of the photoconductor to remove the latent image, after the
leftover toner has been removed by the cleaning system. See Quenching.
Reception Modes
There are two types of reception modes: manual (telephone mode) and automatic (fax
mode).
Reed Switch
Reed switches are magnetically operated switches with contacts hermetically sealed in
a glass capsule.
Reflective Photosensor
Reflective photosensors are short-range sensors that have a light emitting element
(usually an LED) and a light sensitive element (usually a phototransistor).
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Registration
The process by which paper is lined up properly with the developed image on the
photoconductor; registration is usually accomplished with a system of rollers,
mechanical guides and electronic sensors.
Registration Marks
These marks are printed at the top and side of a copier test chart as a gauge of paper
alignment and copier erase margins. They consist of thin parallel lines that will show if
the paper is improperly meeting the latent image on the photoconductor.
Registration Rollers
Part of a copiers paper feed system. A pair of rollers that align a sheet of paper to
remove skew, and then feed the sheet toward the photoconductor at the correct time
during the copy cycle to align it with the image on the photoconductor.
Registration Sensor
Part of a copiers paper feed system; an electronic sensor mounted in the paper path
just before the registration rollers. This sensor alerts the copiers control system when
a sheet of paper approaches the registration rollers, so that they can be stopped
before the sheet contacts them.
Relay Devices
Required to expand LANs. These devices do the following: extend the connection
distance, enable connection between networks of different standards, allow control of
high-speed transmission routes and filtering. They include repeaters, bridges,
switches, gateways and routers.
Relay Rollers
Part of a copiers paper feed system; used in machines with long or complex paper
paths simply to move sheets from one area to another. They have no special copyrelated function.
Reproduction Ratio
An optical specification that determines the relationship between original size and copy
image size. A one-to-one reproduction ratio indicates that the original and copy have
the same image size. This ratio can vary in most copiers to produce enlarged and
reduced copies.
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Resolution Bars
SAF Memory
Store and Forward Memory stores fax messages to send later or for transmission to
more than one location. It also holds the incoming message if, for example, the printer
is out of paper.
Scanner
Schematic Diagram
The most traditional and detailed type of electronic map; shows every circuit, no matter
how complex, and every component, no matter how small.
Selenium Drum
SELFOC
An acronym for Self-Focusing Fiber Optic Array. SELFOCs are used for strip exposure
with fixed optics, in contact image sensors, and direct scanning digital systems.
SEP/PWD/SUB/SID
Signals
The ITU-T recommendations were changed in 1996 to allow polling and confidential
communications. At this time, this could only be done between Ricoh-made products.
With the institution of these signals, communication between all fax makers became
possible.
Separation
That step in the copy process during which the paper and toner are separated from
the photoconductor. See Image Transfer And Paper Separation
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Servomotor
Used in many copiers to move scanners in the optical system; servomotors emit a
specific number of electrical pulses with each revolution, allowing a control circuit to
monitor and regulate their speed. Servomotors use feedback to maintain a constant
rotating speed.
Setting Powder
Slip Clutch
Another name for a torque limiter clutch. See Torque Limiter Clutch.
SMR Compression
The Simple Modified Read method is identical to MR coding except that the K
parameter is 8 for Standard and Detail resolution and 16 for Fine.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is the protocol for communication between internet mail
MTAs (message transfer agents).
Solenoid
Sorter
A sorter is a paper handling device that feeds finished copies into multiple output bins;
can produce sets of collated copies, matching the order of the original documents, or
count out stacks of single copies.
Spring Clutch
A popular clutch for copier applications; its internal components are normally held
together by a spring connected to an external sleeve, and rotation is transmitted to a
given component. When the sleeve is kept from turning, the spring expands, releasing
one internal component and preventing the transfer of rotation.
The Super Speed Coding method combines EFC with Short Preamble and white line
double-speed processing to achieve a further reduction in transmission time.
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Stator
A stationary part of an electric motor in or about which a rotor turns. See DC Motors.
Stepper Motor
A type of electric motor designed to be controlled in individual steps that are portions
of a full rotation, each step as small as one degree of arc. It is often used to adjust
lens position in copiers with variable reproduction ratio. The design of a stepper motor
allows for extremely precise lens placement and easy electronic control. Stepper
motors are used whenever accurate positioning of a component is required.
Stripper Pawls
Part of a copiers fusing system; stripper pawls ride along the surface of the hot roller,
and peel off copies that stick to the roller despite the rollers lubrication.
Subnet
It is difficult for one network to handle 65,534 hosts, therefore the subnet mask creates
subnets to take some of the burden off of the main network. See Subnet and Subnet
Masks.
Subnet Mask
Subnet masks divides the host block into a maximum of 255 subnets within which a
maximum of 255 hosts can exist. This helps to increase the speed with which a user
can access a particular portion of the network. See Subnet and Subnet Masks.
Substitute Reception
TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol)
Test chart
A specially designed copier original, with printed gauges used to assess many aspects
of copy quality.
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Thermal Head
The thermal head is the central component of the thermal printer. A thermal head
consists of a row of heating elements. If a heating element is turned on, it will heat up.
The heat from the element will make a dot on thermosensitive printer paper.
Thermal Paper
Thermosensitive printer paper. This is the paper used for white-board printers and
thermal fax machines.
Thermistor
Thermoswitch
Toner
The ink of an electrostatic copier that forms the actual image on finished copies. It is
made from resin and a solid lubricant combined with carbon or a colored pigment. In
dual-component development systems it is bound to carrier particles by a triboelectric
charge, creating two-component developer. See Triboelectric Charge.
The toner density sensor (or TD sensor) measures the concentration of toner in the
developer.
Part of a copiers development system. The toner end sensor monitors the level of
toner in the toner supply. When the sensor detects a predetermined low-toner
condition, it signals the control system, which then lights a corresponding indicator on
the machines operation panel. It usually detects two different toner levels: Toner
Near End (low) and Toner End (too low to continue operation).
Part of a copiers cleaning system. This sensor monitors the level of toner in the used
toner storage tank. When the sensor detects a predetermined used toner tank full
condition, it signals the control system, which then lights a corresponding indicator on
the operation panel of the machine.
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A piece of ordinary glass used in copiers as a window in the exposure slit; allows
light to reach the photoconductor, but keeps toner from contaminating the optical
system.
Toner, Dual
Component
Toner, Magnetic
monocomponent
Toner, Non-magnetic
monocomponent
Transfer
That step in the copy process in which toner, held by the latent image on the
photoconductor, is transferred to a blank sheet of paper, thereby creating a copy.
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Transfer and
Separation (T/S)
Corona Unit
A corona unit used immediately after development. The T/S corona unit creates two
coronas. The first, the transfer corona, is an electrical field that pulls the developed
toner image away from the latent image on the photoconductor, transferring it to a
sheet of paper. The second corona, the separation corona, is an electrical field that
releases the paper, together with the developed toner image, from the
photoconductor.
Transport
The primary job of a copiers paper feed system: moving sheets of paper from the
supply, through the machine, and out into the exit tray; accomplished with a variety of
rubber belts and rollers.
Trapping Layer
Tray Heater
Paper in a copier's paper tray tends to curl as it picks up moisture from the air. Some
machines, especially higher speed models, have heaters in the paper trays to prevent
such curling.
Trellis Code Modulation TCM uses QAM, but part of the data signal is encoded, using trellis coding, for error
correction purposes.
(TCM)
Triboelectric Charge
A type of static charge that builds up when certain materials are rubbed together.
Triboelectric charges attract toner to carrier in a two-component developer system.
Two-component
Developer
The most popular developer formulation; uses tiny, metallic carrier beads to deliver
much smaller toner particles to the photoconductor during the development process.
Under-toning
A condition that occurs when a copiers toner supply system is delivering too little toner
to the development unit; can lead to carrier abrasion, which may damage the
photoconductor and shorten the useful life of the carrier particles.
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Appendix 1
V Sensor
Varistor
VB or VBB
Development bias.
VD (Dark Potential)
The drum potential in black image areas after exposure. Standard VD is the potential
measured after exposing a black pattern.
VD Pattern
VG or VGRID
VH (Halftone Potential)
A standard halftone drum potential. This value is used for laser power adjustment in
the process control system of some digital products.
Video Processing
The processing that is applied to image data after the machine scans the document.
Both analog and digital video processing steps may be applied to the image data.
VL (Light Potential)
The drum potential in white image areas after exposure. Standard VL is the potential
measured after exposing a white pattern.
VL Pattern
A standard white pattern used for reference. On some machines the VL pattern is
actually a light gray tone rather than pure white.
VLAMP
VO (Original Potential)
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Voice Message
Processor
This converts recorded voice messages from analog (audio) to digital for storage in
the memory. It also retrieves the message from memory to send it out over the
telephone line.
VR (Residual Voltage)
The drum potential after the drum has been exposed by the erase lamp.
VREF, VTREF
A targeted control reference for the TD sensor. When VTD becomes too low, toner is
added to the developer to bring VTD back to the VREF value.
VSG
VSP
The xenon flash lamps used in office machines are basically the same as the flash
lamps used in photography only much larger.
Xenon Lamp
A xenon lamp is a xenon-filled glass tube with terminals at each end. When a voltage
is applied across the lamp terminals, the xenon gas ionizes and current flows through
the gas, which emits light. The terminals do not have to be preheated, unlike in
fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent xenon lamps also utilize a phosphor coating on the
inside wall of the lamp to generate light.
Xerography
The indirect electrostatic copying system which is the basis of all modern plain paper
copiers; patented in 1939 by Chester Carlson, Xerography comes from the Greek
words for dry writing.
Zener Diode
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