What is the drum unit in a printer and how can I clean it?

Today it is impossible to imagine working in various fields of activity without a computer and a printer, which makes it possible to print any information used on paper. Given the increased demand for this type of equipment, manufacturers have developed a huge number of products. Despite the model variety, the main element in all devices is the drum unit. To obtain high-quality printed text, it is necessary to closely monitor this element and carry out its maintenance in a timely manner.

The imaging drum is one of the main elements of any printer, which, in turn, is an integral part of the cartridge. The clarity and quality of the resulting printed text depends on the drum.

The diameter of the cylindrical device is several centimeters, but its length depends on the model of the device. The inner part of the drum is completely hollow, there are plastic gears on the edges, and from the outside it looks like a long tube. Manufacturing material - aluminum.

Despite their different composition, all coatings are very sensitive to UV radiation. If during transportation it was not possible to avoid contact with the sun's rays, then at first darkened areas will be visible on the sheets of paper.

An imaging drum is a rotating shaft located in the center of the cartridge, and its edges are attached to special bearings. The device is coated with selenium and is most often blue or green. Specialists distinguish the following working layers of the shaft:

• charge transfer;
• generating charge;
• basic coverage;
• electrically conductive base.

The principle of operation of the device is based on the projection of a light image onto a selenium coating, in the process of which the coloring element adheres to the illuminated section of the shaft. In the process of rotating the device, the ink is transferred to the sheet of paper, and under the influence of high temperatures it melts and sticks to it.

A full, serviceable cartridge can produce over 10,000 pages of printed text. This figure may vary depending on the type of toner, room temperature, humidity, and paper quality.

The following factors can reduce the working resource of the photo roll:

• frequent single printing;
• the use of a coloring agent with large pigment particles;
• the use of rough and damp paper for printing;
• sharp temperature fluctuations in the room.

In order to understand how to maintain a laser printer, when buying it, you need to pay attention to the type of drum, which is of two types.

• Autonomous - a device that is separate from the cartridge. This type of device is most often installed on professional equipment, and in the presence of defects and breakdowns, it requires a complete replacement with a new one.

• Cartridge part - a universal element that is used in most types of technology. Despite the significantly lower resource, it can be repaired and, if necessary, cleaned.The advantage is the low price range of component parts.

Despite the high resource potential of the imaging drum, with frequent operation of the printer, breakdowns of this element occur, which are often associated with improper use of equipment. The ingress of foreign objects and the use of low-quality consumables can cause scratches, dots and irregularities on the surface of the device.

The simplicity of the design of the drum allows you to regularly clean its surface without leaving your home. when black dots and a gray tint appear on the printed sheet. To prevent these malfunctions, experts recommend that you wipe the device immediately after refueling it, and in no case use paint and a drum of different brands.

For high-quality cleaning activities, experts recommend following a certain sequence of actions:

• disconnecting the device from the electrical network;
• opening the front cover and removing the cartridge;
• moving towards the protective curtain;
• removing the drum;
• placing the device on a clean and level surface;
• removal of contamination with a special dry, lint-free cloth;
• returning an item to the device.

The main condition for high-quality work is to hold the shaft strictly by the end sections. The slightest touch to the photosensitive element can cause a decrease in print quality for a long time, and in some cases will lead to a complete replacement of the element. When using wet wipes, wipe the surface thoroughly with a dry and clean material after cleaning.

Cleaning the surface in bright light may expose sensitive dust.

Modern device models are equipped with an automatic cleaning system, which at first fully functions., but after a certain time it wears out and breaks down. Experts recommend not to miss this moment and prevent the accumulation of a large amount of coloring particles on the element.

Advanced printer models are often equipped with an automatic monitoring system that independently monitors the condition of the shaft. When the printer's resources are at a critical level and in a worn-out state, the system displays information about the need to take recovery measures and writes "Replace".

Depending on the model and type of device, the sequence of actions may be slightly adjusted, which the manufacturer will indicate in detail in his instructions.

The printer is an indispensable assistant for a modern business person, the device allows you to create high-quality printed documentation. Given the high level of demand for this technique, experts recommend not forgetting to carry out regular preventive examinations and cleaning the device, which will prevent unwanted blots, dark spots and dirt from appearing on documents.

Before proceeding with the inspection of the printer, be sure to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions., which describes in detail the entire sequence of actions and possible causes of the malfunction. Regularly carrying out a set of simple measures will allow you to avoid financial costs for the purchase of new equipment.

How to clean the Samsung SCX-4200 printer cartridge, see below.