Photocopier Maintenance: The Ultimate Guide
Keeping your office equipment running smoothly is good for morale and can save you money and time. Here are six tips to help you keep your photocopier in top condition. If you experience a paper jam, follow all the prompts on your screen. Never rip open components unthinkingly to avoid damaging the machine.
If you would like to learn more about business photocopiers, you can do so here .
Quick Photocopier Maintenance Tips
Clean the exterior and interior components of your photocopier regularly.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaning solutions recommended by the manufacturer.
Pay attention to the glass platen, feed rollers, and paper path to ensure optimal performance.
Be sure to use high-quality paper suitable for your photocopier.
Improper paper can cause jams, reduce print quality, and lead to more frequent maintenance issues.
Store the paper in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture absorption and curling. Lastly, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for toner replacement, including any necessary safety precautions.
Ensure you use genuine and compatible toner cartridges recommended for your photocopier model.
Photocopier Maintenance: The Fuser
The fuser is a component found in photocopiers, laser printers and fax machines that permanently bond the toner to paper using heat and pressure. This part is a long metal tube with a heating lamp in the centre that warms up when power is applied. Usually, there is also a pressure roller and a temperature sensor that can be activated when the paper passes through. The heat from the fuser can reach temperatures of 420 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the paper itself does not catch fire because it passes through the fuser so quickly that the heat cannot reach the fibres of the paper.
The gears and bushings in the fuser unit can wear out over time – you may hear metal grinding when this happens. If you see lines on your copies, this could be a sign that the fuser needs to be replaced. This is because the Teflon material on the upper roller or film can get worn off, ripped or scored, leaving marks on the print.
Photocopier Maintenance: The Glass
Regarding photocopier maintenance, the glass is another area that can be overlooked. Dust and lint on the glass can produce unsightly marks on copies – think grey blobs or pinhead-sized dots. Keeping this area clean can prevent these issues. Glass is a versatile material that can be used in various applications. It is made from natural and abundant raw materials that are melted and cooled into various shapes. Its unique properties have allowed it to be used for decorative and practical purposes since ancient times. Taking the time to maintain your copier can help you avoid the frustration of a breakdown and save money in the long run.
It’s not just one person’s job to look after the equipment; everyone should ensure it’s kept in top condition. It is also essential to keep the supply of paper and toner stocked and ensure the machine is appropriately plugged in before use.
Photocopier Maintenance: Ink Cartridge Head
The ink cartridge head (a printer head or nozzle) dispenses the ink that creates printed images. When the ink runs low, or the print head is severely clogged, it must be manually cleaned to resolve problems. First, unplug your printer and open its access door (this varies by model). Slide the carriage to the centre of the device and remove the cartridges. Be careful not to touch the chips that communicate with the printer – they are easily damaged.
Remove the nozzle from each cartridge and soak it in warm water. This will usually clear a simple clog. If the problem persists, you can run a head cleaning cycle using your printer’s utility. This will clear most simple clogs but may require multiple cycles. If the problem is severe, cleaning the cartridge head with warm water or an ammonia-based cleaner like Windex is recommended. This will help remove clogs and prevent the nozzles from drying out and losing functionality.
Photocopier Maintenance: Internal Parts
Using good quality paper reduces the number of paper shavings and dust particles in your copy machine, which also means less maintenance needs. Before cleaning your photocopier, always ensure the power is switched off and any parts with caution labels are not touched. This will prevent electrical accidents. The drum is the heart of your photocopier, and it’s where all the magic happens. It’s where negatively charged toner is transferred from the roller to the blank sheet of paper. Corona wires create positive electric charges on the drum and paper. The high voltage in the photocopier generates these charges, and they help the electrical shadow of the original document stick to the drum.
Hi, I’m Ally Cox, one of the leading Copywriter/Bloggers at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, a platform renowned for its in-depth analysis and comprehensive comparisons of business services. With over a decade of experience in the industry, I bring a wealth of expertise in areas such as leased lines, VoIP, business energy and office solutions, HR solutions, accounting, and payroll services, among others.
My journey in the industry began over 10 years ago, and my extensive knowledge enables me to provide invaluable insights to our users and customers. Prior to joining CompareYourBusinessCosts, I’ve been involved in various business ventures, gaining hands-on experience in HR and copywriting across a multitude of different sectors, gaining valuable knowledge about everything from clocking in systems to card machines, EPOS systems, payroll services, and so much more.
My mission is to simplify the often-complex buying process for businesses, helping them streamline their product and service comparisons effectively. By leveraging the expertise I’ve acquired over the years, I aim to assist businesses in making informed decisions that enhance their efficiency and bottom line.