There is a long,
gradual learning curve that starts after a new group of copiers is
introduced. The most valuable information that comes to light is a
clearer understanding of which par
ts
are actually critical to successfully extending the life of the
machine’s modules. There are also tricks we learn which help us
avoid potential pitfalls. This article begins a series of articles
that will offer a sweeping review of the Toner Cartridges, Drum
Cartridges and Fuser Modules of the most popular Xerox brand
copiers. For this month, we’ll be sticking to the black-and-white
models. We’ll take a look at what we’ve been learning about each
cartridge & module.
C118 & C123 styles
C118, C123, & WC-5225
styles:
CopyCentre C118, C123, C128, C133, WorkCentre M118, M118i, M123,
M128, M133, Pro123, Pro128, Pro133, WorkCentre 5222,5225,5230
C123
style Toner Ctg.
Toner Cartridges:
Toners don’t get much easier to refill than this. These are as
simple as removing the front end cover, pouring in the toner and
replacing the Toner Reset CRUM Chip on the side of the cartridge.
Pay attention to make sure you use the right CRUM for the exact
cartridge reorder number your machine needs. The generic toner
material we’ve been using has been working good, although I’ve
heard reports of some which did not work as well as others, so
keep
your eye on fusing and copy quality and be sure to report any
problems to your suppliers so they can address them.
C123 style Drum Ctg.
Drum Cartridges:
The cost of the OEM C123 drum cartridges (13R589) nearly doubled
back in June of this past year. There is now good value in getting
the full yield out of the cartridges.
The widely varying yields which these machines allow on their drum
cartridges can be confusing. Depending on how many copies the
customer runs on average, the machine will allow a different yield
before calling for a new cartridge. The official stated yield is
based on 6 pages per job on average.
1 pg. per job on
average… yields approximately 32K
6 pgs. per job on
average… yields about 60K
500+ pgs. per job
… yields a maximum of 120K
This tells us that clearly some cartridges need only a new Drum
Reset CRUM chip to make a second cycle happen. Other cartridges,
from the offices which run longer jobs, will need more components
replaced. We’re finding that in cartridges that have run over the
60K, the Charge Roller in the cartridge will, at some point in the
second cycle, develop a build-up of impacted toner on its surface.
The result is poor charging of the drum which leads to a gray
background on the copies. If the drum looks good, you can often
get away with replacing the Drum Reset CRUM and the Charge Roll
and get your second
cycle.
A complete rebuild is also an option. Drums, Blades, Charge
Rollers, & Drum Reset CRUMs are all available. The Developer in
this drum cartridge is being offered by some suppliers as well.
C123 style Fuser
If you wish to replace only the Drum Reset CRUM without completely
disassembling the cartridge, the CRUM replacement can be a little
tricky. Because the lower frame of the cartridge is in the way of
sliding the CRUM all the way out, you will need to separate the
upper and lower halves of the cartridge at the rear end. Then
you’ll have enough room to slide the CRUM out. Remove the rear
Drum Bushing while holding the drum in place, then raise the upper
half up about 1 inch and reinsert the Drum Bushing to keep the
drum in a safe position while you replace the CRUM.
One of my good customers told me that when he wants to replace the
CRUM without taking the time to disassemble the cartridge, he uses
a dremel tool. He finds it much easier to cut a slot at the top of
the cartridge, allowing him to slide the CRUM out the top instead.
C35 style
Fuser Modules: These fusers are worth repairing by virtue of the
rather high cost of a new one. They’re no picnic to work on, but
you get used to them pretty quickly. The Heat Roll, Pressure Roll
and Picker fingers are the critical components which need
replacing in most cases. Sometimes you can get away with not
replacing the Pressure Roll. The C123 and WC-5225 fusers share the
same Heat Roll & Pressure Roller. The C118/M118 has its own
version of the two rollers. Picker Fingers are common to all 3
types of fusers.
C35, WC-232, & WC-5632
styles:
CopyCentre C35/45/55, WorkCentre M35/45/55, Pro35/45/55,
DocumentCentre 535, 545, 555, WorkCentre 165, 175, 232, 238, 245,
255, 265, 275, WC5030, 5050, 5135, 5150, 5632, 5638, 5645, 5655,
5665,
5675,
5687, & the newest model numbers: 5735, 5740, 5755, 5767, 5775,
5790, BookMark 40/55
C35 style Toner
Ctg
Toner Cartridges:
These are very simple toner cartridges (6R1046 for the C35 version
and 6R1146 for the WC-165/265 version). Only the toner refill
material would be required to refill them as there are no other
components to consider replacing. Each shot of toner must have a
small bit of developer mixed into it. This machine uses a trickle
system… a small bit of fresh developer is provided in the toner so
that the oldest developer then gets walked out into the waste
container. This keeps the developer fresh for a very long time as
it is constantly being replenished. Refills and Generic Toner
Cartridges have only very recently come on the scene and the cost
of the generic cartridge is very close to the cost of the bottle
of refill material. The
faster models (65 ppm and up) use a longer version of the
cartridge (6R1146) which uses a larger volume of the same toner
material.
C35 style Drum Ctg.
Drum Cartridges
(Xerographic Modules):
Within the C35
style, there are two physically different versions of the
cartridges depending on which model machine you’re working on. The
two versions are substantially different in spite of looking very
similar at first glance. Furthermore, each of those two versions
has two different types here in the U.S.: the ‘Metered Plan’ (Type
B) and the ‘Sold Plan’ (Type A). Pay attention to the exact model
of machine, and if you can, check the consumable “type” from the
machine’s User Tools (press ‘Access’… the default password is
‘1111’, then press ‘Go To Tools’, and then ‘More’… look for
“Consumable Management’ and choose ‘Service Plan’ to see if the
machine is set up for Type A or Type B). Get the exact one for
your customer’s machine. When in doubt, choose the ‘Sold Plan’ or
“Type A” version (113R610 or 113R674 depending on the model of the
machine) because it will work in any U.S. machine. Just keep in
mind that once you install a “Type A” version in a machine, it
will forever after reject the ‘Metered Plan’ (113R608 or 113R672)
version of the cartridges.
These Drum Cartridges can last well into the second cycle if you
replace the Drum Reset CRUM chip. Drum Cleaning Blades are
available as well if you ever need one. So far we’ve not seen any
reasonably priced drum cylinders in the market. When you replace
the CRUM to reset the drum count, you’ll want to pay a little
attention to the Transfer Corona Assembly because a new Transfer
Corona Assembly is included in the box with each new Drum
Cartridge. If the corona wires are pitted, you may
consider
restringing the corona.
C35 style Fuser
Fuser Modules:
The C35 style has
4 different Fuser Module types, each with their own unique Fuser
Reset CRUM. This assures that the fusers remain model specific.
They also use different heat lamps for the various fuser versions,
so even if you did not have the CRUM differences to worry about,
they would not interchange across models.
The most critical parts which need replacing whenever the machine
calls for a new fuser are the Fuser Cleaning Web and the Fuser
Reset CRUM. If the heat roll looks good, you can often replace
these two parts and get the fuser running for another cycle (or at
least a good part of a second cycle). The heat roll is the next
thing in line for replacing. I’ve also been told that—at
least for the high speed models—by the time the heat roll is wiped
out, the tape on the thermistors’ heads will also be nearly worn
through. Replacing the tape on the thermistor heads may be
required at that point.
C35 style-Web & CRUM
There are 3 different heat roll versions throughout the group. The
earliest ones (109R636) had a thick-walled aluminum heat roll, the
newer low volume version of the fuser (109R752) uses a thin,
steel-walled roll, and finally the high speed fuser types (for 65+
pages per minute models such as 109R723 & 109R773), use a thin
walled aluminum heat roll. The heat rolls for the earliest models
(109R636) and also the heat rolls for the high speed models
(109R723 & 109R773) are available. The newer low volume fuser type
of heat roll we have not seen in the market as of yet.
Lots of other fuser parts have surfaced out there, including
pressure rolls, picker fingers, drive gears, web gears, heat roll
bearings and bushings, etc. This is in spite of the fact that the
OEM parts list does not spare many of these fuser components.
That should do it for the current monochrome models. Next month
we’ll continue to take a look at what we’ve been learning about
the modules and cartridges for the full color machines, like the
C32 style and DC250 style. Thanks for tuning in everyone!
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, including many of
Britt’s past ENX articles on their website,
www.partsdrop.com.
