How Does a Color Copier Work?
Xerox marketed the first automated plain-paper copiers in 1960, but color copying was not available widely until the late 1960s, according to the American Institute for Conservation. When Canon introduced the four-color laser copier in 1986, using color on handouts and flyers no longer required offset printing; that is, a process where the image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the surface.
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Creating the Image
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A bright light illuminates the image to be copied and mirrors carry the image to a light-sensitive or photoconductive drum where the image is stored as electrically-charged areas. Paper feeds into the copier and is aligned with the image on the drum. Copiers accepting digital files use processing software and a laser beam to create the electrically-charged image on the drum.
Applying Toner
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Blue, red, yellow and black toners are attracted onto the copier's sensitized drum to match the original image. In addition to color pigment, toner cartridges contain thermoplastic polymer particles with a low melting point, silica, wax and metal salts that facilitate the electromagnetic charging process.
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Copying to Paper
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Paper receives an electrical charge opposite that of the drum. This charge pulls the toner off the drum, depositing it on the paper as it moves underneath. The copier fuses the toner to the paper by applying heat and pressure with rollers while moving the finished copy to the exit area.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit copy machine image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
