The imaging drum is an integral part of the laser printer tasked with transferring the image under the print to the surface of the paper. It is thanks to the printer drum that you can enjoy the fast, economical, and efficient nature of the laser printer.
As you might guess, the drum features a cylindrical shape whose color is often maroon, green or teal for most printer models. Knowing crucial details about this key component can give you an easy time working with a laser printer. Read on as we unravel more interesting details about the printer drum.
How the Printer Drum Functions
The printer works alongside a computer. Therefore, each time you choose the “Print” option on the PC, your printer responds to the command by engaging its laser which then “draws “or prints the requested document onto the surface of the imaging drum.
Every time it makes contact with the drum’s surface, any part that is exposed receives an electrical charge of a neutral nature. The remaining surface of the drum, which comes out as the white parts of the paper, stays the same.
Moving on, toner particles with a negative charge are then attracted to the neutrally charged area of the drum. Once again, the rest of the unexposed area of the drum remains unchanged since it repels the toner particles. So, the particles of the toner powder end up sticking only on the parts of the drum exposed to the laser.
The drum is always rotating. Its rotation will then carry the stuck ink particles subsequently transferring them to the surface of the paper. Before that, the paper has to warm up by going over the printer’s fuser unit.
The warming procedure is vital for the transfer of ink particles from the drum surface onto the surface of the paper. Without heat, the ink cannot stick to the paper’s surface. That is how you get a crisp and warm print. The printer drum is then refreshed as soon as the previous printing session is over and the document ejects from the printer. After that, all unutilized toner particles go back to the printer’s toner cartridge.
How a Toner Cartridge Differs from the Printer Drum
A lot of people have a hard time differentiating between a toner cartridge and a printer drum. Although they are adjacent to one another, the toner cartridge and the drum are two unique components of the laser printer designed to operate in synergy to deliver a fresh print.
The toner cartridge is the part of a printer that accommodates ink or powdered toner. On the other hand, the drum is engineered to transfer ink from the toner cartridge and stick it on the surface of the paper.
When to Replace the Printer Drum
There are numerous tell-a-tale signs that your printer drum requires a replacement. First, you should be on the lookout for an error message or prompt that will automatically be generated by your printer when the drum is faulty.
Apart from that, a deteriorating drum will deliver prints of low quality. If you also notice that the printer is producing documents that are blurry, smeared, or smudged, it might be a good time to invest in another imaging drum. Along with that, be on the lookout for black spots and dirt-riddled prints.
Conclusion
Laser printers are safe and reliable equipment for use at home and office courtesy of the imaging drum. Maintaining and using your printer should be fun and effortless now that you know more details about the printer drum.