Remanufacturing the IBM 4312 Printer Cartridge
The Imaging Staff at Color Image is comprised of five PhDs, four chemists, four quality control technicians, and three telephone support technicians. Photos by Wess Brown.
Color Image is a toner manufacturer located in Norcross, Ga. For information about products and their application methods, call Color Image's customer service at (800) 783-1090/(770) 840-1090 or fax (800) 783-9010/(770) 840-7029.
Machine Specifications (photo #1)
Suggested retail price: $1599
Print Speed: 12 pages per minute
Print Resolution: 600x600 dpi
Paper Tray: 250 Sheets
Paper Handling Sizes: Letter, Legal, A4, A5, A6, B5, Executive, and Statement
Media Types: Plain Paper, Envelope Labels, Transparencies, and Card stock
(Photo #2 shows the machine's built-in mirror cleaner, which is easily used by the end user.)
Cartridge Specifications (photo #3)
Engine: Fuji-Xerox
Cartridge Type: Monocomponent
Design Yield: 6000 pages @ 5% page coverage
Cartridge Price: $150
Tools Needed
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Small Flathead screwdriver
- Small Phillips head screwdriver
- Needlenose pliers
- Spring Hook
- 99% Alcohol
- Soft Lint-Free Cloth
- Vacuum or Dry Compressed Air
- Toner (280 grams)
Disassembly:
Locate and remove the spring situated just in front of the hopper toner cap (Photo #4). Using a small Phillips head screwdriver, push the connecting pins that are on the left and right sides into the cartridge (Photo #5). With the cartridge separated, set the toner hopper aside. Remove all four screws from both drum axles (Photos #6 and 7).
With the waste section lying on its back and the drum shutter facing up, tape the shutter down and remove the drum and PCR (Photos #8 and 9). In most cases, you can simply wipe the drum and PCR clean. However, if there is toner embedded in either component, a soft cloth dipped in alcohol may be used to clean these components.
Remove both screws from the wiper blade and then remove the blade itself (Photos #10 and 11). Be careful when removing the wiper blade . The plastic aligning posts just inside of each screw are easily broken. Make sure the contact on the PCR saddle is clean and straight (Photo #12). Reassemble the waste section in reverse order and set aside.
Using the needlenose pliers, remove the cap and dump the remaining toner (Photo #13). Next, remove all four screws two from each end of the mag roller fixtures (Photo #14 and 15).
The mag roller fixture that covers the gear assembly will have to be pried off from the bottom with a small flathead screwdriver (Photo #16). Photo #17 shows the gear
configuration. Remove the mag roller (Photo #18). The retaining piece on the left side of the hopper can be removed with a small flathead screwdriver (Photo #19). Next remove the screws from the doctor blade and then the blade
itself (Photos #20 and 21). Note: Use caution when removing the doctor blade. The aligning pin located just to left of the left side screw hole is easily broken. It is imperative for proper alignment upon reassembly
that this aligning pin be intact.
With the mag roller, fixtures, gears, and doctor blade removed, the hopper can be cleaned using a vacuum or dry compressed air. After cleaning the hopper shell, an aftermarket hopper seal can
be installed. Carefully clean the doctor blade's rubber surface. It is similar to the one found on the XP-15/20 or the Compaq and is easily bent. The impact printer cleaner, Type Wash R, works well for
cleaning doctor blades and other sensitive surfaces without damaging the rubber. You should be able to purchase this cleaner or a reasonable substitute in most areas.
Reinstall the cleaned doctor blade, retaining piece, mag roller, gears, and gear cover. Turn the mag roller's inner magnet so that it fits into the keyed section of the right-side fixture. The gear cover on
this cartridge also houses the contact for the mag roller; be sure to clean and relube this contact.
Fill the toner hopper with approximately 280 grams of toner and recap. Lastly, reattach the OPC section to the toner hopper using the two connecting pins and tension spring.
This article originally appeared in the November 1997 issue of Recharger.