Many users may ask: Is printer toner universal? Is all laser printer toner the same? Can laser printer toner be universal?
The answer is no.
Why is laser printer toner not universal?
The toner used in different printer models has different particle size, melting point, and charge.
The toner particles of high-end printers are 5~8 microns (some ultra-fine models can reach 3~5 microns), and the toner particles of low-end printers are 8~12 microns (some cheap compatible toners may exceed 15 microns).
In addition, toners can be positively charged or negatively charged.
Toners need to carry specific electrostatic charges during the development process. The charge characteristics of different models may be different. If they do not match the voltage set by the printer, it will cause poor adsorption or bottom ash problems.
The melting point of low-temperature toner is about 160-180 degrees, and that of high-temperature toner is about 200-210 degrees.
When low-temperature toner is used in high-temperature printers, the toner may be over-melted, contaminating the machine and causing the machine to malfunction. On the contrary, when high-temperature toner is used in low-temperature printers, the fixing is not strong, and it is easy to fall off and slag, which may cause the developer and fixer to malfunction.
Different models of laser printers have different developing principles, so toner is definitely not universal. There are single-component and dual-component developing.
What is single-component?
For a “single-component” machine, both the toner and the carrier are loaded into the “toner cartridge”. The machine developer itself is empty. This type of machine is easy to maintain, and there is no need to change the carrier. If the wrong “toner” is filled, resulting in “mixed toner”, the developer can be “cleared” directly, replaced with an original toner cartridge, and re-initialized.
For example: Canon and Kyocera are both single-component designs, and some HP models manufactured by Canon are typical “single-component machines”.
Although “single-component” machines are easy to maintain, the printing effect is not as good as “dual-component”, compatible consumables are not easy to adapt, and the machine has higher requirements for toner quality. Because the toner cartridge is pre-loaded, the original toner is more expensive and the cost of use is higher.
What is dual-component?
For a “dual-component” machine, the toner and the carrier are separated. The toner is in the toner cartridge, and the carrier is in the developer.
Some machines use inferior toner, or the “carrier” will run when there is a problem with the machine. It is necessary to replace or refill the “carrier” in time to ensure the printing effect. The replacement process requires the “developer” to be disassembled, the old carrier to be poured out, the new one to be refilled, and then installed. The machine must be initialized. For ordinary users, it is difficult to complete the operation.
“Two-component” machines have lower requirements for toner quality, compatible consumables are easier to adapt, and the cost of use is relatively low. The color printing effect is also good. Although the maintenance is troublesome, the color printing effect is good, and the compatibility with compatible toner is relatively strong. For example: Fuji Xerox, Xerox, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Toshiba, Sharp, mainly “two-component machines”.
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