The Next Wave: New Xerox Models Follow Their Predecessors Closely New Comers to the C35 style, DC250 style, 4150 style & 7132 style In recent months, Xerox® has released a whole bunch of new models to their line, many of which turn out to be pleasantly familiar. There are differences, of course, so it may benefit you to have some tidbits about what remains the same and what has changed. We’ll discuss them one “style” at a time. The first “style,” or family of machines of interest, is what we’ve been calling the “C35 style.” This series is proving to have more staying power than any other in Xerox’s history. There are nearly 50 models in this style, which showed up roughly speaking in 5 waves (including the newest wave). Below is a list of the models arranged by “Waves.” Each wave has a group name that makes it easier to refer to them later. • Wave 1: (DC535 group) : (DocumentCentre) DC535, DC545, DC555 • Wave 2: (C35 group) (CopyCentre) C35, C45, C55, (WorkCentre) M35, M45, M55, Pro35, Pro45, & Pro55 • Wave 3: (WC-232 group) (CopyCentre & WorkCentre) C165, C175, 232, 238, 245, 255, 265, 275, M165, M175, Pro165, Pro175, Pro232, Pro238, Pro245, Pro255, Pro265, & Pro275 • Wave 4: (WC-5632 group) (BookMark) BK40, BK55, (WorkCentre) 5030, 5050, 5135, 5150, 5632, 5638, 5645, 5655, 5665, 5675, & 5687 • Wave 5: (WC5735 group) (WorkCentre) 5735, 5740, 5755, 5765, 5775, 5790 Some of the models don’t really fit their assigned wave as they were released in-between waves. The WC-5030, 5050, 5135, & 5150, BK40, & BK55 are the stragglers, although they seem to fit most logically with the WC-5632 group. Generally speaking, any change between waves can be expected to have new updated versions of software, Network Controllers, & PWB’s (Printed Wire Boards). Illustration 1: Diferent covers DC535 (shown on the right) vs. C35 & newer models (shown on the left) The biggest change between the DC535 group and the C35 group was in their outer appearance. DC535 was a boxier looking machine while the C35 introduced the now familiar, upward curving design on the front cover (see illustration 1). All of the models which follow look much like the C35. With the 3rd wave, the WC-232 group changed the fuser module. (109R752 instead of the 109R636 used in the first two waves). It looked the same but due to changes to the heat roller and heat lamps, it turned out not to be interchangeable. Aside from that, there were very few significant changes except that they introduced faster models. They could now boast having 65 & 75 ppm models. But changes were needed in the main components for the faster models that use a 3rd type of fuser module (109R723) which used an aluminum heat roller with thinner walls than the one found in the DC535 & C35 series. These also have a new Toner Cartridge (6R1146 which is nearly 5 inches longer than the cartridges for the slower models), a more robust fuser module, and a Drum Cartridge (or Xerographic Module as they call it) with extra functionality (113R672 / 113R674 for the faster 65-75 ppm models and 113R608 / 113R610 for machines which run 32-55 ppm). WorkCentre DC250 (left) / new - WorkCentre 7755 (right) Next came the 4th wave, or the “WC-5632 group”. These had very few changes from the previous wave. Once again, many of the differences were seen when you stepped over the 65ppm threshold. Finally we get to the new releases—the 5th wave, or, the “WC-5735 group.” The newcomers include WorkCentre 5735, 5740, 5755, 5765, 5775, & 5790. This group tops off with a machine capable of running 90 ppm… boy are these things getting fast! Doing a little bit of reading, it seems that these will follow the “5632 group” very closely. All of the main modules share the same part number pairs with the predecessor group (once again using different modules for the 65ppm and faster models). This proves to be true for the Toner Cartridges, Fuser Modules, Drum Cartridges & Document Feed Heads. WorkCentre 4150 (left) / new-WorkCentre 4250 (right) Now for one of the Full Color styles: the “DC250 style” which started with the DocuColor 240 & 250. Later, these were joined by the DocuColor 242 & 252, and roughly at the same time, the WorkCentre 7655, 7665, & 7675 came out. Very little changed if you were to compare the first two waves of machines. Now with the 3rd wave of models (WorkCentre 7755, 7765, & 7775), it seems that this style continues to remain amazingly consistent. The same Toner Cartridges, Drum Cartridges, & Fuser Modules are used throughout the style. The only exception was the DC260 model which needs 220 volts even here in the U.S. On that model alone, the fuser module changes. Instead of using 8R12988, you would want to use 8R13039. Thankfully, the two fuser types share the same Fuser Heat Roller. The method for entering diagnostic mode is one important change which a tech would want to be aware of. For the DocuColor models, you hold down ‘0’ while pressing the ‘Access’ button and then enter the password when the prompt shows up. For the WorkCentre models in the group, you need to press and hold down 3 buttons simultaneously: ‘*’, ‘#’, and ‘Stop’, until the password screen shows up. In either case, the default password would be ‘6789’. We’ll finish up with the rather popular little workhorses: the 4150 style. The newcomers are models 4250 and 4260. These models share less in common than one might expect from appearances. For one thing, while the Drum and Toner Cartridges look very similar to each other, the Drum Reset CRUM chip and the Toner Reset CRUM chips use totally different technology. This is probably owing to the fact that the RF (Radio Frequency) chips used on the 4150 were flaky and not 100% reliable. The new machines go back to a regular-old physical connection instead of using radio waves to communicate with the machine. Another new improvement is found in the Fuser Module. The older 4150 used a coil as the heating element inside the heat roller. That technology made rebuilding the fuser nearly impossible because nobody would be crazy enough to try to manufacture new replacement heat rolls with the coil element built into them. The new models have returned to a more traditional heat roller and a traditional heat lamp (thank goodness). That is all for today folks! Hope you are enjoying your summer! Britt works for The Parts Drop, a company whose primary business is providing parts, supplies and information for Xerox brand copiers, printers and fax machines. You can find more information about Xerox brand office equipment, as well as read many of Britt’s past ENX articles, on their website, www.partsdrop.com.