Prasanna.ws

Ever wonder how printing went from Gutenberg’s printing press to pressing a button on a modern word processor that translates into that output on your paper? Me too. Let’s examine a modern inkjet printer cartridge and see how they work.

The outside, usually a dark color, is called the case, since it holds all of the other components together. Next, the yellow/orange tape on the device is called the “flex tape”. In order to properly reuse these cartridges, the flex tape needs to be completely intact. The third main component of the printer cartridge is the “nozzle plate” – which connects the printing function to the ink sticks. Again, for proper recycling, the nozzle plate must not have any holes and must be completely intact to be recycled.

Inside the device are things called “resistors”. These resistors heat the ink sticks, which causes it to expand – remember your science lessons here? Once the ink expands, it transitions through the jets, through the nozzle plate and onto your paper. Some companies, however, do not use all of these components inside the printer cartridges, but instead use them inside the printer itself – making many of them ineligible for recycling programs.

To make the printer and ink toner cartridges work better, follow these simple three instructions. One, never shake your cartridges, as this could damage them. Two, never touch the nozzle plate or any part of the cartridges where the ink and cartridge make contact with the page – this could cause smearing and leaking of ink. Third, never leave your cartridges in a warm area or outside of your printer for long, especially outside the packaging. Since the heat activates the ink, this could cause leakage of ink.

Another way to make your printer work better besides proper care for your cartridge and storage of components, as well as refilling properly and in a timely fashion would be to clean your printer every 4-6 months. Using all of these techniques should help your printer run to its fullest ability.