laser toner print cartridge
Remanufacturing methods
There are two
different approaches to remanufacturing laser toner print cartridges. Deciding which approach is best for you depends on
whether you are remanufacturing your own, or some one
else's laser toner print cartridges, how often you will be doing it, and,
also, how much time you want to put into the remanufacturing process.
One other consideration would be the type of laser toner print cartridge to
be remanufactured.
One approach
involves a partial or complete disassembly of the laser toner print cartridge to inspect and clean the internal cartridge parts. This
is the approach most often used by professional laser toner print cartridge remanufacturers,
since the laser toner print cartridges that they recycle
have been acquired from someone else and they usually do not know
what sort of condition the laser toner print cartridge and its internal
rollers and blades are in. This approach to laser toner print cartridge
remanufacturing usually requires a set of screwdrivers,
needlenose pliers and some other common tools.
The second approach
is to make a hole or opening into the laser toner print cartridge's toner
hopper (this is the compartment in which the supply of laser toner is
stored) and using a funnel or similar item to replenish the
laser toner supply. After refilling the laser toner, the hole is resealed
and the laser toner print cartridge returned to the laser printing system*. This
method is most often used by people remanufacturing
their own laser toner print cartridges, since they know the condition of
the cartridge prior to remanufacturing.
We have tested
several way to make the fill hole in the laser toner print cartridge, and we
recommend using a soldering iron or other similar device to melt a
hole into the hopper. We currently offer a specially designed
soldering iron that has a special circular attachment on the end
of the iron that makes a hole about 3/4 inch in diameter, along
with plugs to reseal the hole and information on where to make the
hole (for more information on this device, click
here). We strongly advise against drilling or cutting into the
toner hopper, as this may produce cracks in the casing of the
laser toner print cartridge and also result in plastic shavings falling into
the toner hopper itself.
If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact
us. For a light-hearted
introduction to the various internal cartridge parts and how they
interact within the laser toner print cartridge, please see The
Toner of Peyton Place.
*Note:
Some newer laser toner print cartridges also require a new chip or that
the old chip be reset. Check your specific laser printing system model
or laser toner print cartridge model product information page to see if
one is necessary.
The laser toner refill
Kit with Iron
Our specially
designed soldering iron for remanufacturing laser toner print cartridges comes as part of a kit that also includes six plugs
to reseal the fill hole in the toner hopper, a funnel cap that
fits on a standard toner bottle, a dust mask for your convenience
and instructions on locating the toner hopper. This particular
toner refill kit with iron costs $19.95 and can be
ordered online below.
| Toner recharge kit with
special soldering iron, funnel cap, (6) plugs, dust mask
and instructions. |
$19.95
|
 |
This soldering
device is helpful when refilling a collection of laser toner print cartridges
from manufacturers such as HP, Canon and Lexmark, however, it is
not required for all models of laser toner print cartridges. For example,
there are some Brother laser toner print cartridges for which this tool
would be unnecessary. To see if this tool is correct for
your needs, go ahead and contact
us.
Useful laser toner print cartridge
remanufacturing shop supplies
There are some basic
remanufacturing supplies that come in handy if you plan
to recycle laser toner print cartridges often. Below are
listed several items, ranging from supplies to clean up laser toner
spills to various component cleaners and treatments.
|
Toner-approved
vacuums are available in both US and European voltages. These
vacuums are equipped with special filters fine enough to catch
laser toner particles. Toner vacuums are handy for general laser toner print cartridge cleaning, as well as for cleaning out the old
laser toner from the toner hopper and other parts of the laser toner print cartridge. We do not recommend using a regular vacuum, as the
filters are not fine enough to contain the tiny laser toner
particles. |
|
Cans of
compressed air are useful for blowing off laser toner from
internal cartridge parts. When using compressed air to clean
your laser toner print cartridges we recommend wearing both dust masks
and eye protection, as a precaution. |
|
Toner wipes
are soft, synthetic lint-free cloths. They can be used for
cleaning work surfaces and the plastic casing of the laser toner print cartridges. |
|
Dust masks
are a good safety precaution when working with or around
laser toner, since inhaling excessive amounts of laser toner dust can
cause temporary minor respiratory irritation. |
|
Drum padding
powder is a dry lubricant used mainly on the OPC drum and
wiper blade, to ensure smooth laser toner print cartridge operation. |
|
Drum
restorer/conditioner is a Teflon-based substance
containing silicon dioxide (aka powdered quartz). It can be
applied to an OPC drum to remedy minor scratches and wear and
in some cases extend the usable life of the drum. Drum
restorer/conditioner dries to a hardness rating of 8,
compared to the average OEM OPC drum surface's hardness rating
of 4. |
|
PCR cleaner
is meant to clean laser toner build up from the primary charge
roller. |
|
Conductive
grease is used to lubricate certain metal parts in some
laser toner print cartridges. Check the particular laser toner print cartridge's
recharge instructions for more information on application and
use. |
|
White Lithium
grease is used to coat the gears of some laser toner print cartridges. Check
your particular laser toner print cartridge's
recharge instructions for more information. |
|
Anti-static bags are
available in several different sizes. Use these to package
the remanufactured laser toner print cartridge and protect it from
static electricity during shipping and delivery. |
