Copier Toner

Many of us often refer to toner as dry ink. The truth is that toner has nothing to do with ink (a pigmented liquid) at all. Toner is a powder that is plastic-based and negatively charged. The blackness of copier toner comes from pigments blended into the plastic particles while being manufactured. In a copier, the toner stored inside a cartridge is stuck on larger, positively charged beads. As toner-coated beads are made to roll over the drum, the toner particles are more attracted by the positively charged ions on the unexposed areas on the drum’s surface than the weakly charged beads. Later, the same particles are attracted even more towards the electro-statically charged paper. The plastic in the toner lets the user keep it from jumping ship once he/she has finally got it on the paper. Now all that is needed is to apply heat to the toner. Once the temperature rises, the plastic particles melt and fuse the pigment to the paper. The fuser adds the finishing touch.

First Xerox Commercial

Have you ever had an important job running on your copier and when you see the finished product, you find lines running through your copies? There are several common causes. After more than 20+ years in the business, the copier repair professionals at Progressive Copier Systems have seen just about everything and we offer these tips to help you get crisp, clean copies every time.

There are several common causes of copies with lines through them. The vast majority of these problems can be addressed with a simple cleaning. If this doesn't help, our technicians are available to help get your copier running smoothly.

The first thing you'll want to do is clean the glass where you put your originals. A dirty platen glass can cause black streaks and smudges to appear. Make sure to use lint-free towels and isopropyl alcohol. Also, always make sure everything dries completely before using your copier.

Sometimes, dirty or extra toner can get caught in the exit area where your copies come out of the copier. There are usually fine, soft brushes attached to the copy machine that will sweep away dirt particles from exiting copies but these brushes can get dirty. Remove them by gently pulling them away from the copier and clean them with mild soap and water. Replace them after they are fully dry.

The next thing to check is the drum unit. It's the round, shiny unit. The first thing to do is to make sure the copier is unplugged. Warning: The drum unit is very sensitive and can be easily scratched or damaged. Make sure you remove any watches and rings before you begin.

Using a soft mylar brush, gently remove any dirt or surface dust on the drum and then check the machine. If your copier is still out-putting streaked or lined copies, unplug the machine and clean the drum with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free towel. Let the drum dry completely before plugging your copier back in and turning it back on.

The last area that could cause problems is the fusing section. It's prone to dirt and toner build up but because of the electrical wiring and complexity, you'll want to make sure a certified technician is the only one to examine your fusing section. The fusing section is prone to dirt and toner build up and can create lines across your copies.

Of course the easiest way to avoid problems is to schedule regular maintenance of your copiers. Progressive Copier Systems can help. Our expert San Diego copier repair technicians are trained and certified to provide maintenance and repair to help protect your investment for years to come. Visit our website at http://www.progressivecopier.com for our on-line maintenance and repair specials or call us at (619) 593-1000

Copier Hard Drive Security

Do you have a copier? A printer A fax? Do you use it most days to copy or print confidential information? Well here is some rather worrying news that you ought to be aware of.

The majority of people don’t realize that most scanners, copiers, faxes and multifunctional printers , certainly ones manufactured since the early 2000′s have hard drives in them. These hard disks copy and store every single piece of information that you put through them. This includes anything that you have scanned, anything that you have copied, printed or in some cases even faxed.

Now, consider this – When you replace or upgrade a PC or laptop, people usually (as its been drummed into them by people like me) remove the hard disk, erase the data or destroy the disk before either recycling the machine, giving it away, selling it on or dumping it. What happens when the lease on your copier expires and you upgrade it? Do you clear its hard drive before you return it? I’m guessing, like most people, you don’t.

Recently in America, when an undercover team looked into a number of places that re-sell used copiers and the like they recovered thousands of documents, images, photos, bank statements, accounts records etc from the many hard drives that were left, untouched, in the old copiers – all of which were waiting to be resold. Imagine if everything that you have ever printed, photocopied or scanned could be seen by someone else? A competitor perhaps? Or even more worrying, an undesirable? It could have devastating results for both you and your business.

Progressive Copier Systems is all about total care for all things that concern your copier systems. If you do have a copier that has seen better days that you are thinking of recycling and you want the data erased, get in touch and we will help you to clear it. We'll be glad to help you learn more about copier hard drive security.

Digital Color Copiers

Color copiers support color printing and work much like a computer scanner connected to a laser printer. A color copier scans a document and then uses a laser to put the information on an image drum. The copier then fuses the image onto paper. High-end color copiers will transfer the image in one pass while lower-end color copiers may take as many as four passes to make the transfer. Something to keep in mind; lower cost copiers have slower copying speeds. As far as costs, you'll find that color copiers will typically cost 20 or 30% more than similarly rated black and white copiers. You'll also need to examine your copying needs. Businesses requiring extremely accurate graphic reproductions will need to invest in a dedicated graphic color copier which provides very accurate print-quality color specifications and faster processors. Progressive Copier Systems can help you determine what your needs are.

Give us a call or find us on the web!

Progressive Copier Systems, Inc.
1444 Pioneer Way #4
El Cajon, CA 92020 (San Diego County)

(619) 593-1000 Copier Sales, Supplies, Hard Drive Services
(619) 920-3370 Technical Assistance

http://www.progressivecopier.com/

A Checklist For Your Copier Purchase

Today's copiers have come a long way since their introduction more than 50-years ago. What started as a machine to make basic black-and-white copies of documents has evolved into a complex business tool that can do everything from printing digital images to scanning and sending faxes. But all these added capabilities have also made the buying or leasing process much more complicated.

Progressive Copier Systems has been helping San Diego businesses find the right copier at an affordable price for nearly 25 years now. Here's a checklist for you to use to make your next new or used copier purchase easier. When comparing copy machines, make sure you consider factors such as features, printing capabilities, size and speed to find the right copier to meet your needs. Also make sure you consider long-term costs—such as copier repair and maintenance.

* The first thing to do is compare copy speed between the machines you're considering. The speed of a copy machine is given in pages per minute (ppm) or copies per minute (CPM). Most copiers on the market today range from 20 to 50 ppm. If your company requires a large volume of copies, or speed is a factor, choose a copier with a high ppm.

* Next you'll want to check the available features for each unit you're considering. While the most basic copiers simply makes copies, more advanced units can scan, print from your computer or even send faxes. Look for a unit that has the functions you need, but don't pay extra for functions that you'll rarely—if ever—use.

* Checkout different copier printing technologies. According to "Abby's Guide," laser copiers are the least expensive models if all you need to do is create basic black and white copies. Inkjet units cost more, but offer more flexibility for color copying and other options.

* If high-quality color copies are required, choose a unit with a high resolution (measured in pixels) for the best image quality.

* Make sure to ask about features like stapling, folding, collating, hole punching or duplex printing. Some copiers can perform all of these functions, while others may perform only a few. Select the ones that are most in line with your needs.

* The one area most companies forget to check is space. Some copy machines can be quite large, and require a great deal of floor space. If the copier is going in a small room, make sure to choose a unit that will fit.

* Think about paper size and type. Some special projects require fairly large sheets of paper and might require special types of paper. The most basic copy machines will most likely only accept smaller, standard paper sizes, and some units may have trouble feeding certain types of paper. Look for a unit that is capable of handling the paper you plan to use.

* Finally think about on-going costs. Setting up regular maintenance and repair intervals will help keep your new or used copier running at peak performance for years to come

Because of the complexity of today's copiers, choosing the right one can seem like a daunting proposition. Progressive Copier Systems has been helping customers find the right business machine for more than two decades now. We'll be glad to sit down with you to sort through choices for new copiers or used copiers and develop a financing plan to meet even the tightest budgets. We offer the lowest price on on-site and off-site copier repairs and service. When you're looking for your next copier, consider the experts at Progressive Copier Systems. You can reach us at (619) 593-1000 and don't forget to check our website at http://www.progressivecopier.com for our hot specials.