The Print engine
It’s tie print enginethat forms the actualcharactersand graphics.The
enginedirectsitslaser,apinpointstreamoflightpulses,throughmirrorsand
lensesontothe surfaceof a positively-chargedrotatingdrum.
r“’””’
Lens
Laser beam
Scanning mirror
uctor laser diode
Photosensitive drum
Asthelaserscans,it“draws”thepage-mapstoredinyourprinter’smemory.
Whereveralightpulsestrikes,thattinypartof thedrumdropsto a neutral
electricalcharge.That spot then attractsfine toner powder as the drum
rotatespastthepowdercompartment.
Asthedrumrotatesfurtheritmeetsthepaper.Thepaperitselfisnegatively
chargedbypassingbyafinecoronawire.Sinceoppositechargesattract,the
negativepaperclingsto thepositivedrum.Thenheatand pressurefroma
rollermeltorjkre thedotsoftonerontothepaper,preciselyreproducingthe
image.
Finallythepaperslidesintotheoutputbin.Thepaperusuallycomesoutface
downso it stacksin the correctsequence.
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