Recharger Magazine

The leading information resource for the document printing industry aftermarket.

Remanufacturing the Fuji-Xerox XP-8/16 Toner Cartridge

Apr 01, 2001

These instructions cover the recycling of the Fuji-Xerox XP-8/16 toner cartridge for laser printers using the Fuji-Xerox XP-8/16 Engine.

First introduced in January 1995, this laser engine has been known by a number of names. Table 1 lists some of the more popular printers, their engines and specifications. Other than pages per minute and dots per inch, the primary differences among the different engine versions seem to be the maximum allowable paper size and maximum printed area. Some of the GCC machines can take paper sized at 12 by 21 inches and print at a maximum of 11.69 by 20 inches. This allows printers to run proof copies with full bleed and/or crop marks. While the basic engine is different from printer to printer, the cartridges all use the same components.

The average list price for these cartridges is $195. Because they are used in specialized machines, the cartridges are not discounted much. Therefore, these cartridges offer remanufacturers high profit margins. As an added bonus, they are also fairly simple to recycle. Basically they are Fuji-Xerox's version of the Canon BX cartridge.

Although reuse is possible, we recommended replacing the drum and wiper blades. Currently, new magnetic rollers are not available.

Troubleshooting

There are really no problems unique to these cartridges. They are similar enough to the BX cartridge that a BX troubleshooting chart can be used whenever you encounter a problem.

XP-8/16 Tools & Supplies

310g XP-8/16 toner
New drum (recommended)
New wiper blade (recommended)
Cotton swabs (CT-100)
Isopropyl alcohol (FR-8)
Kynar padding powder
Dedicated magnetic roller cleaner
High quality silicon tube
Phillips head screwdriver
Small common screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
Hot glue gun
Caulking gun
Safety goggles
Breathing mask
Vacuum approved for toner

WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and breathing mask when working with or around toner. Do not disperse the toner into the air. Use approved toner vacuums and filters at all times.

An approved toner vacuuming system is important because toner consists of very fine particles that will pass through a normal vacuum filter, and blow out the exhaust.

Push in the two side pins on the cartridge with a small screwdriver or punch. If you plan to reuse the drum be careful avoid letting the pins fall on the drum. See Figure 1

Figure 1
Remove the white drum axle screws and pin. See Figure 2

Figure 2
Remove the drum. See Figure 3

Figure 3
Remove the PCR. See Figure 4

Figure 4
If you are not replacing the wiper blade, turn the waste chamber upside down, tap to loosen the toner and vacuum/blow off any remaining toner. Be very careful not to damage the recovery blade. See Figures 5 and 6 Then skip to Step 14. To replace the wiper blade, continue to Step 6.

Figure 5

Figure 6
To replace the wiper blade, the cover of the waste chamber must be removed. This can only be done by splitting the chamber.
Remove the drum cover. Do not lose the spring! See Figure 7

Figure 7
Remove the two handles and screws. See Figure 8

Figure 8
Carefully cut along the top seam of the chamber with a sharp sturdy razor knife. Do not use the a knife with breakaway blades. Continue to cut and pry until the cover comes loose. Be careful not to damage the recovery blade. See Figure 9

Figure 9

HINT: Don't try to cut the chamber all at once. Instead, cut along the long seam first.
Cut away the silicon seal around the wiper blade. See Figure 10.

Figure 10
Remove the two screws and black spacers from the wiper blade. See Figure 11.

Figure 11
Remove the wiper blade. See Figure 12.

Figure 12
Install the new blade and put a bead of high-quality silicon around the metal edge. Install the two spacers and screws. See Figure 13.

Figure 13
Put a bead of silicon around the lip of the cover and reinstall the cover. It is a good idea to put a few rubber bands around the chamber to hold the cover in place while the silicon dries. To make things easier, leave a small area at each corner free of silicon, and put a small amount of hot glue there. Install the cover. See Figures 14, 15 and 16.

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16
Although seals currently are not available, it is still recommended that the magnetic roller and doctor blade be removed and cleaned.
Remove the two screws on the right side of the toner supply and then remove the cover. See Figure 17.

Figure 17
Remove the magnetic roller assembly. Blow or vacuum off any remaining toner and clean with a dedicated magnetic roller cleaner. Set aside. See Figure 18.

Figure 18
Remove the two screws and doctor blade. Clean the blade with a cotton swab and alcohol. See Figure 19.

Figure 19
Remove the fill plug and vacuum/blow out the chamber.When a seal becomes available, it should be installed now.
Replace the doctor blade, magnetic roller assembly, cover and all screws. Ensure the stationary magnet fits into its keyed slot. See Figure 20.

Figure 20
Fill the chamber with 310g of XP-8/16 toner, and replace the fill plug. See Figure 21.

Figure 21
Spin the magnetic roller in the proper direction to ensure that everything is aligned properly.
Clean the PCR with your favorite PCR cleaner. Install into the waste chamber. See Figure 22.

Figure 22
Lightly coat the drum with Kynar powder and install in the cartridge. Make sure that the PCR stays clean. Spin the drum in the proper location to make sure the drum is properly lubricated. See Figure 23.

Figure 23
Place the two halves together, and reinstall the two pins. Because these pins can be pushed in so easily, it is not necessary to replace them with aftermarket pins. See Figure 24.

Figure 24
Replace the two handles and screws. See Figure 25.

Figure 25
Install the drum cover. Install the spring as shown. See Figure 26.

Figure 26