4. Fixing stage
As the toner image transferred onto the paper in the transfer stage is held to the paper only by
the static electricity, even a light touch will smear the image.
The toner particles are fused to the paper to make an permanent image by applying pressure
and heat to the paper and the toner.
Step 6: Fixing
Figure 2-4-12
As the toner particles transferred onto the paper are held to the paper by the positive charge
applied to the back of the paper, they may be dispersed at fixing.
This printer applies the negative DC voltage to the fixing film via the pressure roller shaft.
The negative charge is applied to the paper surface by the fixing film before the paper reaches
the fixing heater. This improves the adhesion force of the toner particles to the paper and pre-
vents dispersion of the toner particles.
This printer utilizes an on-demand method which uses fixing film with small heat capacity.
This method can heat the roller quickly and does not require the power supply to the fixing
heater at standby mode. Therefore, the wait time is reduced to eight seconds or less, and the
energy can be saved.
The fixing film is a cylindrical polyimide film. The surface is coated with fluorine to prevent
offset.
CHAPTER 2
2 - 28
Fixing film
Fixing heater
Paper
Toner
Pressure roller
Fixing film
Toner
Paper
Pressure roller
