Table of Contents
Advertisement
RECORDING SECTION
• Fixing step
The toner that is transferred to the recording paper is turned into a perma-
nent image by applying heat and pressure. This fixing method is called the
"heat fixing method." This item describes the SURF fixing method (some-
times referred to as "on-demand fixing method") that is the mainstream
heat fixing method today. The fixing roller has a built-in heater which
heats the roller surface to a temperature of about 160 to 200°C during
printing. When the recording paper on which toner is cling passes between
the fixing film and the fixing press roller, the toner melts as a result of the
heat, and is fixed to the recording paper by pressure.
Generally, fluorine-coated polyimide film is used as the fixing film. The
reason why the film is coated with fluorine is to prevent the adhesion of
toner onto the fixing film. Silicon rubber is used on the fixing pressure
roller.
SURF Fixing
As the fixing film is thin and has little heat capacity, the temperature of the
fixing film instantaneously rises to a fixable temperature when it is heated
by the heater. Accordingly, the heater is turned OFF in a standby state, and
the heater is turned ON only when printing is performed. This fixing
method is called the "SURF fixing method" or the "on-demand fixing
method."
4–44
Fixing film
Fixed toner
Fixing pressure roller
Fig. 4-54 Fixing
Heater
Toner
Recording paper
Advertisement
Table of Contents
