EN
Printer functions 65
Breakdown of the seven image formation processes
1 Conditioning stage (primary charging)—This process applies
a uniform negative charge to the surface of the drum with the
primary charging roller, which is located in the toner cartridge.
The primary charging roller is coated with conductive rubber. An
AC bias is applied to the roller to erase any residual charges from
any previous image. In addition, the primary charging roller
applies a negative DC bias to create a uniform negative potential
on the drum surface. The print density setting modifies the DC
voltage.
2 Writing stage (scanning exposure)—During this process, a
modulated laser diode projects the beam onto a rotating scanning
mirror. As the mirror rotates, the beam reflects off the mirror, first
through a set of focusing lenses, then off a mirror, and finally
through a slot in the top of the toner cartridge, and onto the
photosensitive drum. The beam sweeps the drum from left to
right, discharging the negative potential wherever the beam
strikes the surface. This creates a latent electrostatic image,
which later is developed into a visible image.
Because the beam sweeps the entire length of the drum while the
drum rotates, the entire surface area of the drum can be covered.
At the end of each sweep, the beam strikes the beam detect lens,
generating the beam detect signal (BD signal). The BD signal is
sent to the ECU where it is converted to an electrical signal used
to synchronize the output of the next scan line of data.
3 Developing stage—During this process, the latent electrostatic
image is present on the drum. The toner particles obtain a
negative surface charge by rubbing against the developing
cylinder, which is connected to a negative DC supply. The
negatively charged toner is attracted to the discharged (exposed,
grounded) areas of the drum, and it is repelled from the
negatively charged (unexposed) areas.
4 Transfer stage—During this process, the toner image on the
drum surface is transferred to the media. The transfer roller
applies a positive charge to the back of the media, which attracts
the negatively charged toner on the drum surface to the media.
After separation, the drum is cleaned and conditioned for the next
image.
