1 The Technology of Color Laser Printers Mark Hibbard Washington County Community College Recharger...
Transcript of 1 The Technology of Color Laser Printers Mark Hibbard Washington County Community College Recharger...
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The Technology of The Technology of Color Laser Printers Color Laser Printers The Technology of The Technology of
Color Laser Printers Color Laser Printers
Mark Hibbard Washington County Community CollegeMark Hibbard Washington County Community CollegeRecharger Magazine World EXPORecharger Magazine World EXPO
27 September 200427 September 2004Session S19Session S19
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OvervieOvervieww
Market Watch
Color for Free
Color Application
Current Printer Configurations (Networking)
Remanufacturing Options (still risk management)
Image Dynamics
Cartridge Components
Cartridge Complexity
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Color Market Color Market
WatchWatch Color Market Color Market
WatchWatch Color-TimelineColor-Timeline
1993 QMS ($10k) 1993 QMS ($10k) 1996 QMS ($4K)1996 QMS ($4K) 1997 TEK ($2.2K) 1997 TEK ($2.2K) 1998 HP ($1.8K)1998 HP ($1.8K) 1999 QMS 1999 QMS ($1.2K) 2000(4550) 2002 (4600)($1.2K) 2000(4550) 2002 (4600)
( ~ $0.80( ~ $0.80 $0.6 $0.30 $0.20 $0.6 $0.30 $0.20 $0.12 $0.09 $0.12 $0.09
Business Imaging Pressure to “Go” ColorBusiness Imaging Pressure to “Go” Color
Communication with color NOT a Communication with color NOT a novelty novelty (WWW)(WWW)
Cost per page fallen rapidlyCost per page fallen rapidly Image quality Image quality Device independent document Device independent document
creationcreation Process speed increased Process speed increased Competition fierceCompetition fierce Corporate MIS Purchasing see Corporate MIS Purchasing see
valuevalue
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North American Color Laser PlacementsNorth American Color Laser Placements North American Color Laser PlacementsNorth American Color Laser Placements Placements per Month
01000020000300004000050000600007000080000
1990
1994
1996
1998
1999
2000
2001
Year
Unit
s LaserHybrid
HP claims
~59% market share all laser printers
~70% Color Market
~62% Color Laser Market
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The Ink Jet Crossroads
Cost per Page
$0.00
$0.20
$0.40
$0.60
$0.80
$1.00
1992
1996
1998
1999
2000
2001
Year
Uni
ts Color LPColor IJ
Paper media is the differential: photo printing
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Imaging Decision MakersImaging Decision MakersImaging Decision MakersImaging Decision Makers
MIS Directors Connectivity / Flexibility
Purchasing Agent Comparison Shopping
Owner Operators Features
PC Resellers Cost / Features
Government Varied directives
Education Cost / Features
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Color vs MonoColor vs Mono
Mono $ Color $
1993 $1,700.00 HP-LJ41996 $850.00 HP-LJ51997 $1,000.00 HP-LJ4000 $4,000 HP-LJC51998 $1,000.00 HP-LJ4000 $4,000 HP-LJC51999 $1,000.00 HP-LJ4000 $2,200 HP-LJ45002000 $1,100.00 HP-LJ4100 $1,900 HP-LJ45502001 $1,100.00 HP-LJ4300 $1,900 HP-LJ45502002 $1,000.00 HP-LJ4200 $1,790 HP-LJC4600
2003 $500.00 HP-LJ2300 $699 HP-LJC2500
2004 $399.00 HP-LJ1300 $500 HP-LJC2500
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Mixed Graphic … NT/DesktopMixed Graphic … NT/Desktop
HP Printer Cost Comparison
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
$4,500
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Monochrome
Color
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Color Imaging PrimerColor Imaging Primer Color Imaging PrimerColor Imaging Primer
Dots on a page - forget what you learned Subtractive color synthesis - White light contains all the wavelengths of the visible spectrum
Primary colors are used in computer monitors - RGB
Complementary colors are the control colors of printing technology. Single complementary colors reflect there own wavelength and absorb the rest of the spectra. M C Y
Two complementary colors in equal intensities will produce a primary color.
Magenta and Yellow =Red
Magenta and Cyan =Blue
Yellow and Cyan= Green
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Vary complementary intensities
(toner)
Produce “gamut” of color
Screen effect and the human eye !!!
Photo mechanical process tricks the eye Dot size, viewing distance, lighting Perceived image quality
Visual Color Image Characteristics
Color Reproduction …… memory color … gamut .. accuracy Tone Scale …. Rendering density , depth , texture Sharpness …. High definition detail Uniformity … Grain, banding, streaks
Psychometric Scale Is it real ? Or Roger Rabbit Subjective targets viewed at fixed distance and proper light Perceived image quality
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Pixel Pixel MagicMagicPixel Pixel MagicMagic
Dots within a cellDots within a cell Dithering - is the art of placing single pixels of CMY Dithering - is the art of placing single pixels of CMY
adjacent to one another to create the illusion of color. adjacent to one another to create the illusion of color. This is a “single level” process common to most This is a “single level” process common to most laser printers. laser printers.
Latest technology that HP uses on the 4500 places Latest technology that HP uses on the 4500 places dots on top of one another in varying amounts. This dots on top of one another in varying amounts. This is the multi level approach used in lithography. is the multi level approach used in lithography. ImageRET2400 is exclusive to HP.ImageRET2400 is exclusive to HP.
Level address ability is costly in memory and/or Level address ability is costly in memory and/or formatting time. formatting time.
o Toner development “dot gain” can alter color perceptionToner development “dot gain” can alter color perceptiono Humans can perceive shading gradients very wellHumans can perceive shading gradients very wello Core-Shell CP toners have better fusing, best color Core-Shell CP toners have better fusing, best color
images are perceived to be glossyimages are perceived to be glossy
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The Color WorldThe Color World
Color Systems and Real World– RGB monitors using 256 levels of
primary color can reproduce 16.77 million colors
– The print media world is severely limited. Since perfect dyes do not exist CMY usually creates a muddy brown color. So a “key” color of pure black is included.
– Gamut “Color Space”
Human Eye
Color Space
Color Monitor
Color SpaceRGB
CMYK Printer Color Space
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Real World Color PrintingReal World Color Printing
Materials - Paper, inks and toners are imperfect … producing imperfect colors
Developing dots - The dot needs to be uniform in size, shape and translucency. To correctly absorb or reflect the light.
Development (interlace/overlay) Transfer Fusing
Color formatting - Color picture information that is digitally represented in a WYSIWYG format is in RGB data form. The process of converting “bit by bit” the RGB data into CMY is not trivial. RIP systems are hot software projects in digital imaging.
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Color Color “complexity”“complexity”
Linear color developmentLinear color development This color process uses four This color process uses four
complete e-p systems that will complete e-p systems that will transfer color pigment onto the transfer color pigment onto the media in one-pass. Used in low media in one-pass. Used in low cost Optra 1200 to high cost cost Optra 1200 to high cost Xiekon printers. Where the 1200 Xiekon printers. Where the 1200 prints 4 ppm one side and the prints 4 ppm one side and the Xiekon prints 75 ppm both sides.Xiekon prints 75 ppm both sides.
Media lies on a transfer belt, each development station places toner onto the media. Each cartridge has a hopper, toner delivery mechanism, sweeper strips, cleaning blade, OPC, PCR and developer cylinder.
Fuser assembly
Black Yellow Cyan Magenta
Process Direction
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Color print engine Color print engine designdesign
Carousel development system To reduce the complexity of the printer a
carousel array that can rotate onto a single development zone is implemented within the Optra C.
Having four discrete toner vessels that can use a single contact development cylinder and single drum unit reduces the number of critical e-p components.
Transfer Cylinder
K
Y
M
C
Carousel
OPC Unit / Cleaning Blade
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Four pass color processingFour pass color processing
Direct transfer …. Intermediate Direct transfer …. Intermediate transfer - The four stage process transfer - The four stage process can develop the sequential color can develop the sequential color masks onto the OPC surface or masks onto the OPC surface or onto a transfer device in the onto a transfer device in the form of a belt or drum..form of a belt or drum..
Registration is super critical. Registration is super critical. Paper slippage upon transfer Paper slippage upon transfer cylinder is common. The laser cylinder is common. The laser “write process” occurs each “write process” occurs each pass as the carousel aligns the pass as the carousel aligns the staged color. The media is then staged color. The media is then separated from the transfer separated from the transfer cylinder and fused.cylinder and fused.
Rotational speed and toner Rotational speed and toner adhesion can effect color adhesion can effect color registration and definition. registration and definition.
Cleaning the OPC in the four Cleaning the OPC in the four pass process is critical. The OPC pass process is critical. The OPC and transfer systems will need and transfer systems will need robust cleaning components.robust cleaning components.
Color print engine Color print engine designdesign
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HP Color HP Color SystemsSystems
The installed base of 4500’s is Huge The installed base of 4500’s is Huge Durability- The hallmark of HP’s laser printer Durability- The hallmark of HP’s laser printer
series has been the excellent serviceability series has been the excellent serviceability and reliability. and reliability.
Four Pass to inline (One pass)Four Pass to inline (One pass)
DevelopmentDevelopment -- -- process speedprocess speed --- ---
Perceived qualityPerceived quality
DPI’s CM technologyhttp://www.dpisolutions.co.kr/
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Toners for Color SystemsToners for Color Systems
Color - non-magnetic tonersColor - non-magnetic toners The polyester binder resins are more The polyester binder resins are more
expensive than monochrome binders. expensive than monochrome binders. Color pigments that are “color correct” Color pigments that are “color correct”
expensive.expensive. Processing is expensive (getting cheaper)Processing is expensive (getting cheaper)
Direct Polymerization has arrivedDirect Polymerization has arrived Canon color toner is a DP toner with a PE Canon color toner is a DP toner with a PE
wax core. (CPT) wax core. (CPT) Several CP toner processes in IPSeveral CP toner processes in IP
Emulsion aggregate Emulsion aggregate (FujiXerox)(FujiXerox)
Chemical Milling (DPI)Chemical Milling (DPI) Suspension polymerization Suspension polymerization (Ricoh, Nippon)(Ricoh, Nippon)
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CPI Toner DevelopmentCPI Toner Development
Still a dynamic technologyStill a dynamic technology Only ~2% of all toner produced in 2000Only ~2% of all toner produced in 2000 Forecasted to represent ~10% by 2010Forecasted to represent ~10% by 2010 Many chemical companies have CPT Many chemical companies have CPT
manufacturing skills but have not manufacturing skills but have not participated in the business imaging marketparticipated in the business imaging market
Recognized suppliers, MCA, FX, Recognized suppliers, MCA, FX, Minolta/Konica, DIC, DPI, ICMI, Coates Minolta/Konica, DIC, DPI, ICMI, Coates Repro some others have vested interestRepro some others have vested interest
Cost and scale-up are barriers .. But being Cost and scale-up are barriers .. But being overcomeovercome
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Value added to image Value added to image performance !!performance !!
Smaller and more uniform PSSmaller and more uniform PS Lower grams per page without density Lower grams per page without density
sacrificesacrifice Better fusing (lower IBetter fusing (lower I22R)R) Better transparency … and better intra-Better transparency … and better intra-
color visual appearance color visual appearance Core-shell integrationCore-shell integration
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Image DynamicsImage Dynamics
• Complete charge control• Balance between opc sensitivity, development zone,
opc design, toner charge & process speed• Cleaning is paramount for color balance
125 v
400 v
Over-developed
Backgrounding
Smooth Color Gradient
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CPT replacements Traditional manufactureCPT replacements Traditional manufacture
TM’rd Color toner major issuesTM’rd Color toner major issues Fusing requirement is difficult to Fusing requirement is difficult to
match with pulverized clonematch with pulverized clone Particle size control is difficult with Particle size control is difficult with
classic manufacturingclassic manufacturing Post blending a additives for CC and Post blending a additives for CC and
fusing being used in some color toner fusing being used in some color toner systemssystems
Toner design gets much more Toner design gets much more complicated with increased PPMcomplicated with increased PPM
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Color Science …Color Science …
Seybold - 8Kenneth Elsman Kenneth Elsman -- Harlequin IncHarlequin Inc..
How do we measure color?How do we measure color?How do we measure color?
ll Flow chart of basic data collection for color Flow chart of basic data collection for color management.management.
Test TargetTest TargetSpectrophotometerSpectrophotometer
D50 IlluminationD50 Illumination22°° ObserverObserver
0/450/45°° geometrygeometry
XYZ
LAB
=
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Color Test Methods and StandardsColor Test Methods and Standards
Visual inspectionVisual inspection Image PerformanceImage Performance Cartridge line statisticsCartridge line statistics Print testingPrint testing Defect analysis …. Defect analysis ….
Corrective actionCorrective action ASTM ASTM ISO 13660ISO 13660
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Managing ColorManaging Color
What you see isn’t always what you getWhat you see isn’t always what you get Printers have different printing schemaPrinters have different printing schema Monitors have a Monitors have a widewide range of color range of color
variationvariation
Print output is VERY different Print output is VERY different
from screen outputfrom screen output
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Color InfluencesColor Influences
Light in the viewing roomLight in the viewing room Natural day lightNatural day light Florescent lightFlorescent light Ultraviolet lightUltraviolet light Amount of light or shadowAmount of light or shadow
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Setting up a Setting up a CellCell
Breakdown - Cleanliness will be Breakdown - Cleanliness will be critical. Cross-toner contamination critical. Cross-toner contamination must be controlled. must be controlled.
Filling - Start up process while Filling - Start up process while production demand is low will be done production demand is low will be done with bottles. (Kitting)with bottles. (Kitting)
Filling systems will require triplication Filling systems will require triplication or extremely aggressive cleanout. or extremely aggressive cleanout. Some existing fillers will not handle Some existing fillers will not handle color toner.color toner.
Sealing systems ….Sealing systems ….
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SuppliersSuppliers
Some major shift to buy direct on some Some major shift to buy direct on some high volume componetryhigh volume componetry
RM Suppliers – Imaging Materials RM Suppliers – Imaging Materials ManufacturersManufacturers Testing differentials OEM v Market “fitness for Testing differentials OEM v Market “fitness for
use”use” Initial cost and RD EffortsInitial cost and RD Efforts Partnerships possible depending on Partnerships possible depending on
commitmentcommitment
SCC, FG, Oasis, TP vested and committedSCC, FG, Oasis, TP vested and committed
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Working with VendorsWorking with Vendors
Provide RM’s with as much information as Provide RM’s with as much information as possible on color performancepossible on color performance Resolution standardsResolution standards Spatial resolutionSpatial resolution File formatsFile formats File sizeFile size Possible printer optionsPossible printer options File format (TIFF,JPEG,PDF,)File format (TIFF,JPEG,PDF,)
Future Print Image FormatsFuture Print Image Formats PNGPNG JPEG 2000JPEG 2000