12 things you should know to look after your laser toner cartridge
Laser toner cartridges operate with high voltage and an extremely fine toner powder that is placed onto the print paper via a magnetic developer roller, a laser beam process and an electro photographic light sensitive drum.
The electrically charged characters, formed in toner, are placed onto the print paper that is also electrically charged to hold them in place. The paper is then passed through a relatively high temperature fuser roller that melts the characters and permanently fixes them onto the paper.
The drums are susceptible to damage from exposure to light, especially bright sunlight. Drum shutters reasonably protect some types, while others have a shutter and a slot where light can readily fall on a strip of drum surface.
When transporting a laser cartridge for remanufacture, the following should be observed:
- Place the cartridge in a black plastic bag and a suitable carton.
- Do not expose the cartridge to direct sunlight or room light.
- Do not open the drum shutter.
- Do not touch the drum surface.
- Do not rotate the drum.
- Do not position the cartridge on its end on or with the label side facing down.
- Do not attempt to open the cartridge.
- Do not dispose of non-recyclable cartridges in an incinerator.
- Do not leave in motor vehicles for any length of time, as even on a cool day the temperature can exceed safe levels.
- Store cartridges in a stable temperature (0-35 deg C).
- Keep the packaging from new and rebuilt cartridges for future transport.
Toner is not harmful, however if your hands or clothes become stained with toner, wash your hands with luke warm water and soap. For clothes, simply brush off outside in the open air. Do not wash toner-stained clothes in hot water as the toner will set into a permanent stain. Use cold water only.