3. Quality Issues
A high quality MICR document can be read by bank reader/sorter equipment many times
with no readability issues and does not result in damage to bank equipment. This quality
is the result of a well-designed printer, an originally manufactured MICR toner and high-
quality check stock.
MICR Printing Supplies
The ST9720 Secure MICR Printer has two user replaceable MICR components relative
to printing MICR documents. Both components must be MICR capable units and be
installed in the printer as a paired set.
MICR Cartridge
There are two size versions of the ST MICR cartridge. A new printer ships with a
5K or 5,000 page yield cartridge. Both 5K and 12K versions can be ordered for
replacement. The cartridge yield is based on printing pages at an average print
coverage of 5% in continuous printing mode. The yield claim has been certified
by the procedures governed by the international standard ISO 19752.
Print applications that are more transactional and averaging near 5% coverage
but nearer to a 1 to 3 page average print job, will see yield nearer to 85 to 95% of
the stated yield. When the printer alerts the user that 0 pages remain and a new
cartridge is needed, the cartridge is empty.
MICR Imaging Unit or IU
The imaging unit contains a majority of the components needed to transfer an
image to paper. The unit also contains a Refuse Bin for storing any waste toner
cleaned from the photoconductor or OPC. In terms of component wear and
waste capacity, the IU useful life should be near 40K or 40,000 pages or sides
assuming some duplex printing. The 40K is based on an average print coverage
of 5% and an average print job size of three pages or page sides. Lower actual
average print coverage and/or a larger average page count per job may increase
the useful life of the IU. Higher actual average print coverage above 5% and/or a
smaller average page count below three will shorten the useful life. Internally, the
printer automatically adjusts unit alarms or replacement alerts based on the
actual printing factors. If the actual print averages extend the useful life beyond
the 40K page forecast, the printer will not exceed 60K due to wear OPC factors.
The printer will stop printing and request a new unit.
Interchanging MICR and non-MICR Components
For non-MICR print jobs the MICR cartridge and IU can be replaced with
standard Lexmark components. Both units must be swapped as a pair. A
“mismatched cartridge and imaging unit” error will occur if only one component is
swapped. Extra care should be taken with protecting components from damage
when not installed in the printer. All internal end-of-life tracking information is kept
separate for all components in the printer and matched to the appropriate
component serial numbers.
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Source Technologies, LLC ST9720 Secure MICR Printer User’s Guide
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