CIMS focuses on reusing wiper cartridge blades

Recycling even the smallest parts can save money and landfill space. That includes the small pieces in everyone’s office copier, printer and fax machine.

In a recent study, the Imaging Products Laboratory at CIMS found that up to 95 percent of original equipment manufactured toner cartridge blades can be reused 10 or more times without causing print defects. In fact, a used blade has a slightly less aggressive edge, reducing wear and tear on the OPC drum.

The study also found that it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to reliably and repeatedly measure and quantify defects on the wiping edge using conventional means without damaging it in the process.

“Since the results of the study proved that wiper blades showed no functional degradation, even after 10 life cycles, it became clear that a method to assess the cleaning edge of the blade was all that stood in the way of a huge reuse/recovery opportunity,” says Nabil Nasr, director of CIMS.

So they built a machine that could.

The Imaging Products Laboratory developed a patent-pending analyzing fixture that is able to detect and define defects in wiper blades without damaging the working edge. The Printer Wiper Blade Assessment System measures the functional condition of a wiper blade’s wiping edge.

Nasr discussed a related topic, remanufacturing toner and ink jet cartridges, on CNN’s NEXT@CNN, Aug. 10. To see the story, visit www.rit.edu/news.