Xerox Corporation has developed a new chemical armour that protects photoreceptors, the light-sensitive elements in xerographic machines. Protected from normal wear and tear, a photoreceptor coated with the new armour can survive more than one million revolutions - nearly doubling its usable life.
This invention comes after Xerox scientists were tasked with developing ways to extend the lifespan of printer components - and reduce their impact on the environment.
“The long life of the photoreceptor reduces the need for replacement cartridges, enabling a 33% reduction in waste,” says Yonn Rasmussen, VP of the Xerographic Component Systems Group.
“Customers experience less downtime, and therefore reduced interruptions to work flow, improved productivity, and fewer service calls.”
Photoreceptors are multi-layer thin film devices that convert light into electrostatic images. They must be replaced periodically due to surface wear and scratches that can affect image quality.
“The ultimate goal is to develop photoreceptors that will last the entire life of the machine. For example, when you scratch your hand and you heal, that's a biological process. We are looking at how to mimic nature and leverage our expertise in smart materials design and nanotechnology to create molecules for next-generation photoreceptors with self-healing capabilities.”
The new photoreceptor works in the standard machine design with no additional hardware changes or added costs to the customer. This invention has broad applicability across Xerox's product portfolio and is being first implemented in the Xerox 4112/4127 light production monochrome printers.
A global, multi-disciplinary team from the Xerox Research Centre of Canada, the Xerographic Component Systems Group engineering team in Webster, New York, and the manufacturing team in Venray, The Netherlands, advanced the project from the pilot plant stage in Canada to production in Venray in less than one year, a record time for commercialising a new technology such as this.
“This invention underscores again that Xerox is among the world's leading innovators," says Rob Abraham, MD of Bytes Document Solutions, distributor of Xerox to 24 sub-Saharan countries. "It re-emphasises that it is possible to merge the normally divergent interests of business and the environment."
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Bytes Document Solutions
Bytes Document Solutions, previously known as Xerox South Africa, is a R1.8 billion-a-year company made up of three business components:
* The sole authorised Xerox distributor to 24 sub-Saharan countries.
* The largest South African paper merchant through NOR Paper.
* Africa's leading digital printing and mailing bureau through LaserCom.
Bytes Document Solutions is recognised as a level three contributor as defined by the Department of Trade and Industry's Codes of Good Practice. In addition, Bytes Document Solutions has been recognised as a value-adding supplier, with its customers being able to claim 137.5% of their spend towards their preferential procurement measurement for their own BBEEE status.
Bytes Documents Solutions is a division of Bytes Technology Group South Africa, owned by Altron, with Kagiso Trust Investments as its empowerment partner.
Web site: http://www.bytesdocumentsolutions.co.za
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