Recycling Times Magazine
editorial
RecyclingTimes The magazine by the industry, for the industry.
Publisher & Managing Director Tony Lee +86 (0)756 3919260 Directors David Gibbons +86 (0)756 3919261 Sabrina Lo +86 (0)756 3919266 Editorial Senior Consulting Editor Art Diamond Editors Doris Huang +86 (0)756 3919268 Doris.Huang@iRecyclingTimes.com Tina Chou +86 (0)756 3959286 Tina.Chou@iRecyclingTimes.com Sophia Jiang Sophia.Jiang@iRecyclingTimes.com Jane Yu Jane.Yu@iRecyclingTimes.com Jeven Zhang Jeven.Zhang@iRecyclingTimes.com Designer Miracle Wei Miracle.Wei@iRecyclingTimes.com Kevin Deng Kevin.Deng@iRecyclingTimes.com Sales Sales Manager Anna Liang +86 (0)756 3919266 Account Manager Kevin Zhu +86 (0)756 3919265 Sales Executives Sally He +86 (0)756 3919263 Tobee Deng +86 (0)756 3919282 Susi Guo +86 (0)756 3959299 Operation and Marketing Operation Manager Charles Lee +86 (0)756 3919267 Frank Yang +86 (0)756 3959280 Operations Assistant Sunny Zhang +86 (0)756 3959282 Sam Lee +86 (0)756 3959299 Accounting Betty Lee +86 (0)756 3919269 Joy He +86 (0)756 3919262 Marketing Supervisor Jessica Yin magazine@therecycler.com.cn +86 (0) 756 3919264 Tracy Zhang +86 (0)756 3959283 Howard Qiu +86 (0)756 3959281 Published by Recycling Times Media Corporation Address 5F, Pacific Insurance Building, Jiuzhou Ave, Zhuhai, 519000
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ately, many people in the industry have asked me: “What do you think will be the future of the ‘reman’ cartridge industry?” I see uncertainty and confusion from them. Where do their concerns originate? In my view, there are four main concerns. First, operating costs have increased dramatically and profits fail to reach their previous highs. Some industry players struggle to survive. Some even plan to give up. Second, some people are spreading rumours that the ‘reman’ industry is about to die, which has shaken those struggle in the industry. Due to the weak performance of the world economy, this year’s market growth will not be as good as in the previous two or three years. Some companies have had an extremely tough 2012 with little room in their margins with which to compete. Some will fail to weather the storm. So, some of these ailing companies start ‘yelling around’ that the whole ‘reman’ industry will experience a wave of bankruptcy and failure. Third, a noxious price war threatens to ruin the entire industry. Some companies continue to compete with their rivals at any price, even though they risk harm to themselves in return. Companies trying to maintain their market share while maintaining profits are forced to work hard on cost reduction. In the end, quality is sacrificed. Then consumers lose trust with ‘reman’ cartridges. This causes a shrinking aftermarket and might ruin the whole industry. Fourth, new mould cartridges stand in the way of the ‘reman’ industry’s development, a situation more common in developed countries. Due to the difficulty and high costs associated with collecting empty cartridges, many remanufacturers have shut down their remanufacturing facilities and import new mould compatibles from Asia instead. However, these new mould products, which may infringe valid intellectual property rights, are often sold at a low price. It has breached the “tacit agreement” between the ‘reman’ industry and OEMs, whose legal action might impact the toner cartridge manufacturing industry and cause a serious downturn. I don’t agree with the first two fears. Although profits are not as high as the good old days, cartridge remanufacturing remains a viable industry with generally good margins when compared with other industries, such as electronics. Some may say that the industry is facing a wave of bankruptcy. However, it’s a natural thing for the industry to phase out weaker players during its development. I do agree with the third and fourth point. Our industry still has room to grow. We need to bring good quality products to consumers, offering them a trustworthy alternative choice. Consumers want quality products—they will never buy trash just because it’s cheap. Any cut-throat price war is committing suicide. For the intellectual property issue, that requires more space than this column affords. But in a nutshell, innovation in marketing and technology is always the key for development. Let this be our way forward.
Tony Lee Publisher & Managing Director
All rights reserved. © 2011 by Recycling Times Media Corporation. The contents are not be to copied or republished without official written consent. The editorial content does not represent official positions of Recycling Times Media Corporation.
Recycling Times Magazine
contents
Carry forward customer education With OEMs now mounting a massive effort to regain the market share they have lost, it is essential that remanufacturers organize under one single banner, worldwide.
www.recyclingtimes.com.cn
What’s new in marketing? Among the many new developments in selling aftermarket cartridges, 7 stand out foremost: MPS, Red Ocean Blue Ocean terminology, pondering a 50% market share, color toner, focus on cartridge quality, Canon’s GEO, and biotoners.
Just a Minute
04
David and Goliath
Money From Home
06
How IT consumerization is driving anytime, anywhere printing
Carry forward customer education
Today's dynamic workforce is more mobile than ever before. The widespread mobile device has broadened working effectiveness. End users want to have access to desktop functions, for all business applications, on any device, anytime, anywhere – and printing is no exception
Industry Updates wins Laboratory Accreditation Certificate 08 Print-Rite China Eternal Copiers Technology expands production
09 Seine breaks ground for printer industrial park
iPRINT Expo 2012: China’s first digital press and commercial printing show debuts in Zhuhai this October
OEM News named sole supplier for government 22 Xerox Lexmark wins $50 million MPS contract
Times witnesses OEMs and remanufacturers 10 Recycling walking side by side
Profiles Product Release
23 MSE’s 18-year commitment to quality
launches compatible chips and toners 12 SCC MMC unveils monochrome cartridges for Samsung, Canon & Panasonic printers
offers replacement toner cartridges for HP color 15 ILG printers 16 Hi & Bestech launch compatible chips
OEM News announces patent infringement dispute resolution 18 Canon New plant to make 250,000 color printers a year
Features new in marketing? 27 What’s IT consumerization is driving anytime, anywhere printing 30 How
Tech Zone the Canon ImageClass MF 4570 series 38 Remanufacturing toner cartridge
Samsung launches new MPS program
20 Ricoh expands toner production Konica expands in Asia
HP introduces 4 Officejet printers Dell launches new inkjets
Market Data
44 Printers released by major brands in March 2012 May 2012 |
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Recycling Times Magazine
Just a Minute with David Gibbons
David and Goliath I noticed with interest several companies which were the subjects of Canon’s complaint to the International Trade Commission have now settled with the imaging giant. Maybe it was because their pockets were not deep enough to go into a fight. Maybe it was a smart business decision on their part not to choose this day, and this hill on which to fight. Maybe they really do believe they are wrong, and Canon is right. Whatever the reason, they have decided to settle, and move on. Other defendants, however, have chosen a different path. And we are yet to see the outcome of their strategy. It appears in their view, this may be the very day to take the “slingshot and pebbles” and go and do battle with the giant. I think they believe in the right or doctrine “to perform permissible repair”. The law says that
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when something is broken or worn out, you are allowed to fix it. Canon has every right to defend its own intellectual property. But if you are allowed to replace a broken sparkplug in a car without facing legal threat from motor vehicle, why should a replacement in your printer's engine not be permitted? The law even allows you choose an OEM spark plug or an after market one. When I was remanufacturing cartridges myself, I always taught my customers that I was repairing their cartridges. I would keep a database of what has done each time I remanufactured their cartridge. I don’t know if they really cared as much as I did. They just wanted their cartridge to work as it was designed to do. They had the right to choose whether to purchase a new cartridge or use my remanufacturing service.
David Gibbons is a director of Recycling Times. He has been a school principal, businessman, marketer, communicator, TV presenter/host and a remanufacturer. For many years he was the executive officer of the Australasian Cartridge Remanufacturers' Association (ACRA).
Let’s fight for the consumer’s right to have choice, as well as our own business right to operate.
Recycling Times Magazine
Money From Home
Carry forward customer education In my opinion, the single most important issue that was emphasized at GRIGA (Global Remanufacturing Industry General Assembly) 2011 was the need to educate consumers on the merits and rewards of cartridge remanufacturing. This message is being lost in a jungle of OEM promotions and propaganda leaving the consumer with the myths that, • All remanufactured cartridges are of a lower quality than the OEM • Installing a reman cartridge can damage your machine • Installing a reman cartridge could void the OEM’s hardware warrantee • The page yield of a reman cartridge is lower than that of the OEM However invalid are these claims they are doing enough damage from a sales standpoint to inhibit the growth of the remanufacturers’ share of the aftermarket. What is worse is that there is little opposition from the recharging industry. In recognition of this unopposed challenge, GRIGA has chosen consumer education as its Number One mission. It is calling upon industry associations from every nation to join together in a concerted effort to broadcast the truth to every user responsible for the maintenance and supply of a digital inkjet- or toner-based printer or copier. Once again quoting Ms. Sharon Williams, CEO and Founder of Taurus Marketing (www. taurusmarketing.com), who advocates an aggressive consumer education program: “Education is Key!” With OEMs now mounting
a massive effort to regain the market share they have lost, it is essential that remanufacturers organize under one single banner, worldwide. By pooling resources and developing strategies aimed at informing and enlightening the consumer, they can push back and neutralize this assault by expanding the demand for remanufactured cartridges. Among the audio and visual aids and literature to be considered in support of this consumer education program are videos, magazine advertisements, online ads, interviews, press releases and other vehicles that would get the message across to the widest audience. This challenge must be met on a grand scale. Consumers around the globe can be educated by coordinating efforts in bringing together every cartridge reman trade association worldwide to plan a promotional campaign. As a GRIGA co-Chair, I believe the best venue for this would be a meeting at one of the international trade shows in Europe, the United States, China, South America, Southeast Asia or elsewhere. Because GRIGA has been held in Zhuhai, China for the past two years, it makes sense to move it to another country. Attempts to dedicate one day to GRIGA at one of the familiar Expos have not been successful thus far. Should anyone reading this column
have a suggestion, your email would be most welcome at: drc@west.net. The GRIGA meeting could be a one-day session preceding the opening of one of the international events. It would be a working session with topics including Fund Raising, Financial Planning, Press Releases for the News Media and Industry Publications, Video Production, etc., etc. As Tony Lee, President of Recycling Times Media, observed, “The need for an international caucus for aftermarket imaging components and cartridges is growing more acute each and every day, especially as OEMs clamp down on their competition in the aftermarket. GRIGA 2010 and 2011 established the framework for such an assembly. Now is the time to expand the borders for this event. We urge trade associations around the globe to carry GRIGA 2012 forward and make it happen in the Americas, Europe, or other regional marketplace.”
Arthur S. Diamond Art Diamond is a 56-year veteran of the imaging industry. He is President of Diamond Research Corporation, a high technology research and consulting firm he formed in 1968 after research assignments with Eastman Kodak, Times Facsimile, Addressograph-Multigraph and Telautograph Corporation. DRC serves clients through product formulation and development, private studies, strategic market planning, and expert witness testimony. Diamond is known internationally as an expert on dry toners and imaging media with 15 issued U.S. patents.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Industry Updates
Print-Rite wins Laboratory Accreditation Certificate
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rint-Rite announced that the testing center at Print- Rite Unicorn Imaging Products Co., Ltd. of Zhuhai, has won the Laboratory Accreditation Certificate issued by the China National Accreditation Service (CNAS) for Conformity Assessment. This award makes Print-Rite the first company in China to win the nationally acknowledged laborator y accreditation certificate in the printer consumables industry. CNAS for Conformity Assessment is the national accreditation body of China unitarily responsible for the accreditation of certification
groups, laboratories and inspection bodies, which are established under the approval of the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA) and authorized by CNCA in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Certification and Accreditation. China’s national accreditation system for conformity assessment has been a part of international accreditation multilateral recognition system, and plays an important role in it. CNAS was the accreditation body member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (IL AC) as well as a member of the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC). Getting approved by CNAS means Print-Rite is qualified for conducting tests in accordance with
international practices. Also, the test reports it issues will be accepted in nearly 60 countries and regions, including America, German, Japan, France, Italy and Australia, etc. This approval is an acknowledgement of Print-Rite’s technology level. Moreover, it can undertake testing for other companies, serving as a third party laboratory for the printer consumables industry. In January, CNAS sent an appraisal group to evaluate the managerial system and testing competence of the Print-Rite Unicorn Testing Center. According to CNAS’s requirements, the evaluation factors include: management, technology, staff, equipment, environment, and other factors. The appraisal group examined and evaluated the test center in terms of field observation, document review, field trials, symposia, etc. After that, the testing center was accredited to ISO/IEC17025:2005 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (CNAS-CL01) and Accreditation Criteria for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
China Eternal Copiers Technology expands production
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eijing’s China Eternal Copiers Technology Co., Ltd. (CET ) announced the completion of its second production plant and its readiness for start-up. CET says the new production facility, with a construction area covering 5,000 square meters, provides a larger working space and improved working environment that will increase working efficiency. In February 2012, the relocation of the company’s workshop for injection molding, mold design and OPC drum manufacturing was also finished. The first floor of the new factor y is equipped with 14 injection molding machines, allowing CET to produce large-sized plastic products such as, drum units and fuser frames. In addition, all machines feature auto-control
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functionality, reducing labor cost, improving efficiency and ensuring consistent product quality. As for the second floor, it is designed as a mold workshop. To enlarge its production capability, CET added 2 CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) processing machines, 4 CNC milling machines and other state-of-the-art equipment. The workshop for producing drum units is located on the third floor, occupying 1,000 square meters. With improved workflow and strict quality control, CET claims the drum workshop will enable it to guarantee the quality of every
drum. CET is committed to the production of quality products and to keeping pace with the trends in technology in order to meet the demands of a changing market. The new production facility will no doubt boost CET’s position as a formidable competitor.
Recycling Times Magazine
Industry Updates
Seine breaks ground for printer industrial park
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hina’s Seine Image International Co., Ltd. (Seine) has begun Phase 1 construction of its Printer Industrial Park in Nanping Technology & Industry Zone, Zhuhai, China. This first Phase is expected to be completed before March next year. It will enable the imaging equipment supplier to reach an annual output of nearly RMB 10 billion from current revenues
of RMB 1 billion. The base complex covers an area of 250,000m2, with the total construction area being 450,000m 2 . The base complex will house the functions of scientific research, production, administration and living quarters. The Phase 1 plan provides for 6 plants and 4 dormitory buildings, all scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
Zhuhai Seine Technology Co., Ltd. is a Zhuhai-based laser printer and consumables manufacturer. In December 2010, Pantum, the first "Created in China" laser printer was launched by Seine using completely proprietary technologies. The revolutionary printer upgrade’s Seine’s position in the worldwide digital printer industry and brings it into the ranks of other leading OEM players.
iPRINT Expo 2012: China’s first digital press and commercial printing show debuts in Zhuhai this October A first for China China's first digital press and commercial printing show will be held October 15-17, 2012 in Zhuhai, the "Printing Consumables Capital of the World." iPRINT Expo China 2012 is expected to host 120 Exhibitors from 10 countries and regions and 5,000 Visitors at the gigantic Zhuhai Airshow Center. Market size Studies indicate there are more than 500,000 print shops and kiosks in China, most of which are using offset presses and other analog devices. They provide some 700,000 jobs, and generate 50 billion RMB (about $7.91 billion USD) revenue every year. Some 500 manufacturers produce hardware and supplies for digital press printing. In 2011, more than 650,000 copiers/multifunction devices, and 200,000 digital presses were sold in China. It is estimated the digital press market in China is worth 10 billion RMB (about $1.6 billion USD). Forecasters say this market will grow 14% annually in China, twice as fast as the 7% average growth in other Asian regions. "It’s essential to have a professional trade show for such a huge Chinese market,"says Tony Lee, Managing Director of Recycling Times Media Corporation. "That’s why we organized iPRINT Expo China 2012—the first digital press and commercial printing show in China. It will include pre-print, digital press and finishing
equipment as well as supplies and consumables for office printers and copiers." Two shows side-by-side Equipment and consumables will be on display at the same venue at the same time, providing a one-stop shop for V isitors. CIFEX|RemaxAsia Expo, the largest computer printing industry show in the world, will be held at the same time on October 15-17 at the same Zhuhai Airshow Center venue, side-by-side with iPRINT Expo China. It’s expected that 440 Exhibitors and 10,500 Visitors from around the world will attend CIFEX|RemaxAsia Expo 2012. iPRINT Expo China 2012 is also scheduled to run at the same time as other top regional shows such as the China Sourcing Fair, the Hong Kong Electronic Fair, and the Canton Fair, thereby saving international buyers time and travel expenses while visiting several events in the same week. In 2012, Recycling Times has attended Remax@Paperworld, D-PES Digital Printers & Engravers & Signage, the 19th South China International Printing Industry Exhibition, ReIndia Expo. The publishing and events company will also attend ITEX, China OEC, Business inform Expo, ReciclaMais Expo, Drupa 2012 and other international trade shows to promote iPRINT Expo China. Further, iPRINT Expo China will be promoted through 40 publications at home and abroad, and online
sources in more than 120 countries and regions. About the organizer Recycling Times Media Corporation is a publishing and events company encompassing a wide international portfolio of products and services for the printer & copier industries. In the last 6 years, Recycling Times has: • Named Zhuhai the Printing Consumables Capital of the World • Organized and operated the annual world class trade show: CIFEX|RemaxAsia Expo • Published 2 monthly magazines: Recycling Times Magazine (Chinese & English versions) • Launched a weekly TV news bulletin broadcast show called: InTouch: Computer Printing News, seen by over 10,000 viewers around the world • Launched a news ‘app’ for Android and Apple smartphones and tablets For more information, please visit iPRINT Expo China websites: www.iPrintexpo.com/ www.iRecyclingTimes.com. Or contact Ms. Jessica Yin at: Tel: +86 756 3919264; Email: Jessica.Yin@iRecyclingTimes.com May 2012 |
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Recycling Times Magazine
Industry Updates
Recycling Times witnesses OEMs and remanufacturers walking side by side
I
t had to be seen to be believed. Major printer manufacturers (OEMs) and remanufacturers exhibited side-by-side at the ITEX Expo and Conference held in Las Vegas. Recycling Times, who exhibited on April 18 and 19, met with OEMs including HP, Samsung, Xerox and Oki. They also met with MSE—the largest cartridge remanufacturer in the USA—and Print-Rite—one of the largest remanufacturers in the world. Dozens of other remanufacturing companies from China, South Korea, USA and South America also exhibited their cartridge products and print solutions to the print and imaging
industry’s top dealers, resellers and vendors this year. The major focus of the ITEX show and conference was on MPS—the new business model which many printing suppliers are moving to, in order to assist their customers better manage their print services. So Recycling Times staff noted the event was better attended this year at a time when many similar events are struggling. Recycling Times staff also interviewed Jim Baek Kim from the Korean printer manufacturing company Sindoh. Fifty years ago they were the first company to launch copiers and printers into the Korean market. They showed off their about-tobe-launched P800 color page printer which boasts full color prints ever y second for less than 6 cents per page. One hundred and fifty (150) exhibitors and 2,500 visitors participated at the 12th ITEX event, held at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas this year. Recycling Times spoke with visitors ▲ Tony Lee and Art Diamond talking with exhibitor
from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru and Columbia, Japan, Korea and China. Many visitors learnt more about Recycling Times’ business events and news publications including CIFEX and iPrint expos in Zhuhai, China, and the Recycling Times monthly, hard copy magazines, and weekly inTouch TV News broadcasts. ITEX exhibitors and visitors, who work in the copier industry, said they wanted to know more about Recycling Times’ iPrint Expo which focuses on copier, digital press and finishing equipment and supplies. Tony Lee, publisher and managing director of Recycling Times Media, said, “Many exhibitors and visitors want to know more about entering the Chinese market, but do not know how to get started. iPrint EXPO is an excellent printing industry communication platform to provide opportunities for them.”Those looking to work more closely with Recycling Times include Roger Asay (Asay Media Network), and Paola Diaz (T&U in Columbia). In coming months, Recycling Times will continue to promote iPrint EXPO Zhuhai, China and CIFEX EXPO Zhuhai, China including Russia and Brazil. MORE INFORMATION, contact Howard Qiu via Howard.Qiu@iRecyclingTimes.com
MMC expands in Uruguay
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Chinese imaging supplier will add a sole printer supplies distributor in Uruguay to expand its business. Much More Color (MMC) says it signed an
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agreement with a new partner, which is located in Montevideo, Uruguay. The new partner can provide customers with the newest MMC products, timely assistance and reliable local service, MMC claims. The Oriental Republic of Uruguay, a country in the southeastern part of South America, is one of the most economically developed countries in South America, with a high GDP per capita and the 48th highest Human Development Index in the world as at 2011. So the printing market in Uruguay continues
to develop steadily with a strong demand for imaging supplies, especially ink products.
Recycling Times Magazine
Product Release
SCC launches compatible chips and toners
S
tatic Control Components (SCC), one of the world’s leading sources of imaging materials, parts and supplies, has launched inkjet cartridge chips for Canon’s wide-format imagePROGRAF iPF8300 printers. SCC says the new chips can be widely used in the professional graphics, fine arts and photographic markets.
These toners can solve printer defects caused by fuser problems in the HP LaserJet Enterprise P3015 and Canon LBP-6700 printers, according to SCC. In 2011, HP made a running change on its P3015 printer that resulted in fuser offset print defects with aftermarket toners. The same change and resulting print defect has also been noted in Canon LBP-6700 printers. Product codes Fuser offset, often referred to as PFI704CP-MK,-MK10 PFI704CP-R, -R10 “ghosting,” appears as a repetitive PFI704CP-K, -K10 PFI704CP-G, -G10 image on the page. The defect can be PFI704CP-C, -C10 PFI704CP-BL, -BL10 printer-related or cartridge-related. PFI704CP-MA, -MA10 PFI704CP-GY, -GY10 The fuser offset defect has been PFI704CP-Y, -Y10 PFI704CP-PGY, -PGY10 PFI304CP-C, -C10 PFI304CP-MA, -MA10 known to occur in low-temperature PFI304CP-Y, -Y10 PFI304CP-PC, -PC10 conditions and after long periods of PFI304CP-PM, -PM10 PFI304CP-R, -R10 printer inactivity. PFI304CP-G, -G10 PFI304CP-BL, -BL10 High quality, alternative toners for PFI304CP-GY, -GY10 PFI304CP-PGY, -PGY10 Dell, HP and Xerox printers are now PFI704CP-PC, -PC10 PFI304CP-MK, -MK10 available in the USA according to a PFI704CP-PM, -PM10 PFI304CP-K, -K10 recent announcement from SCC. Product codes for these new SCC chips The Sanford, NC source released two include both high yield and low yield cartridges. improved toners, one for cartridges used in Dell SCC has also released a new line of toners 3130 and Xerox 6280, the other for HP M4555 which it claims will eliminate print defects linked MFP and HP 600 Series printers. to fuser issues. Some aftermarket toners in the primary
hopper of the Dell 3130 and Xerox 6280 machines often clog while moving through the toner chamber before mixing in the carrier chamber. This caking defect prevents toner from being supplied to the magnetic developer roller, which can result in low print density and trigger a “Remove Tape Seal” error on the printer. The new SCC toners deliver improved flow and fusing properties. Poor fusing can also occur because the high and low melting points of the toner are not properly optimized for this fuser application. SCC’s new toners solve these problems with improved flow and fusing properties. SCC claims its new toner for the LaserJet Enterprise HP M4555 MFP printer cartridges delivers the same fusing, density and page yield as the OEM product. The new toner is designed and engineered to perform with the entire range of SCC imaging components for HP M4555 MFP and HP 600 Series cartridges. SCC also offers secondary components as part of its complete remanufacturing solution. For more information regarding this and other SCC projects, please visit: www.scc-inc. com or www.scceurope.co.uk
MMC unveils monochrome cartridges for Samsung, Canon & Panasonic printers
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ompatible toner cartridges for Samsung ML-4551ND monochrome printers, claimed to yield 10,000 pages, are now available from Much More Colorful (Zhuhai, China). MMC introduced the GT-S4550D10 cartridge it claims offers stable print quality. The Samsung ML-4551ND printer is now available in Asia, Europe, Australia and other world regions. Samsung reports it is Samsung’s fastest monochrome laser printer with print speeds at 43/45 pages per minute (ppm). Also available is a compatible toner cartridge for the Canon CRG120 printer, with a 5000
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page yield. This can also be used for Canon ImageClass D1120/D1150/D1170/D1180. The Canon ImageClass D1120 can print up to 30 ppm with the first copy delivered in about 8 seconds. In addition, MMC has developed a compatible cartridge for the Panasonic KXFAT411A with a 2000 page yield. This cartridge can also be used for Panasonic KX-MB2000/ 2003/ 2008/ 2010/ 2020/ 2030 and 2038 machines. The Panasonic KX-MB2000 is an all-in-one A4 multifunctional printer with print speeds at 24 ppm. The print resolution is up to 600
x 600dpi with scan resolution up to 19,200 x 19,200dpi.
Recycling Times Magazine
Product Release
ILG offers replacement toner cartridges for HP color printers
T
he International Laser Group (ILG), headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, now offers alternative color toner cartridges for the HP CP5520/CP5525 printer series. These alternative cartridges are designated: CE270A for black toner with a 13,500 page yield, and three subtractive color primary cartridges— cyan (CE271A), yellow (CE272A) and magenta (CE273A)—each having a 13,500 page yield. ILG claims its color technology, the Vibrant Color System, is used in these replacement cartridges. HP printers can produce 30 pages per minute (ppm) with a print resolution up to 600 x 600 dpi.
HP says these printers are designed for highvolume color printing and feature remote, web-connected e-print capability as well. About 55% of business revenues come from color, says Mr. Joe Shulman, ILG’s Senior Vice President of Client Relations. Shulman notes that “ILG has integrated new technologies into our popular HP OEM alternative color series: CE270, CE260, CE250, and our brand new, first-to-market, CE400 series color products, thus further improving its already superior color satisfaction rate.” ILG also offers color toner cartridges for the HP Enterprise 500, M551 series printers. These are compatible with the HP CE400A, CE401A, CE402A, and CE403A cartridges. The HP Enterprise 500 printer produces up to 33 ppm, full capacity color output with 1200 x 1200 dpi in black and 600 x 600 dpi in color mode.
ILG claims the HP alternative CE400A (black) cartridge delivers a 5500 page yield, with the color series CE401A, 402A, 403A yielding 6,000 pages. According to the company, the number of ILG’s color products exceeds 200 SKUs, including exclusive JUMBO COLOR products. “ILG is committed to providing the most comprehensive line of HP OEM alternative products. Our first-to-market strategy enables our dealers to offer the hottest new products in a timely manner,” Shulman added. In addition to its Woodland Hills facility, ILG has four nationwide distribution centers in CA, TX, IL and PA. These diverse locations allow ILG to provide the best and fastest shipping solutions to its resellers. For more information on the International Laser Group, please call (800) 937-2880, ext.3207 or visit www.ilglaser.com.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Product Release
Hi & Bestech launch compatible chips
H
i & Bestech has launched many new compatible chips for use in print consumables for Philips, Sagem, Minolta, OKI, Ricoh, Sharp and Xerox printers. Detailed product information can be
seen in Table1. The printers in Table 2 remember the series number on the chip. When a new chip with the same series number is inserted into the printers, the printer will immediately recognize
and kill the chip. Hi & Bestech said they found chips from other suppliers use the same series number or only have 2 sets of series numbers, leading to very high chip failure, but every chip from Hi & Bestech has its own series number.
OEM model
Page yield
Used in
Consumables code
Philips MFD 6020W, 6050W
5.5K
TTR ribbons
Philips PFA820 (China)
Philips MFD 6020W, 6050W, 6080
5.5K
TTR ribbons
Philips PFA822
Toner cartridges
Sagem CTR365
Drum unit
Sagem DRM370-
Toner cartridges
Sagem TNR370
Sagem FAX 4440,MF4461,MF5461
4k
Sagem DRM370
20K
Sagem Laser Pro 351/356/358 / MF5660/5680/5690
10K
Sagem 34xx / 36xx
10k
Toner cartridges
Sagem TNR736
Sagem 3525
6k
Toner cartridges
Sagem TNR756
Toner cartridges
Sagem DRM756-
Sagem DRN 3525 Minolta Pagepro 1480/1490MF
4K
Toner cartridges
Mino 1490MF
Minolta bizhub 1600F
4K
Toner cartridges
Mino 1600F
Minolta Bizhub 43
Toner cartridges
Minolta Bizhub 43(EUR)-SIMCARD
MURATEC MFX1016
Toner cartridges
MURATEC MFX1016
OKI B2500/2520/2540
4K
Toner cartridges
OKI B2500
OKI MB260/280/290
5K
Toner cartridges
OKI MB260
OKI B4500 / 4520 / 4540 / 4545
3K
Toner cartridges
OKI B4500
Ricoh SP1000S/FAX 1140L / FAX 1180L / Nashuatec F 111
4K
Toner cartridges
Ricoh SP1000
Ricoh SP1100
4K
Toner cartridges
Ricoh SP1100
TTR ribbons
TTR 815 family
Fax Sagem 300/2300 e 2400 XEROX 6121
2.6k
Sharp AM410
XEROX 6121 CMYK Toner cartridges
Sharp AM410
▲ Table1
OEM model
Page yield
Used in
Consumables code
SAMSUNG SCX4729/4728HN / ML2950/ ML2951D/2955DW (SAMSUNG MLT-D103)
2.5K
Toner cartridges
SamML-2950-RPMN (EUR,EXP,DOM,CHN)
OKI C310/330/C510/530/MC351/361/ MC561
3.5K (black) 2K (blue) 2K (yellow) 2K (red)
Toner cartridges
OKI C310/510K OKI C310/510C OKI C310/510Y OKI C310/510M
OKI B411d/B411dn/B431d/B431dn
10K
Toner cartridges
OKI B411/431
▲ Table2
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Recycling Times Magazine
OEM News
Canon announces patent infringement dispute resolution
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hree months after Canon filed suits for patent infringements, another one of the respondents has chosen to settle with the imaging giant. The dispute between Canon and Do It Wiser who trade under the name of Image Toner was settled on April 5, according to an announcement by Canon. The resolution reached in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York concerns certain toner cartridges and their photosensitive drums sold for use in Canon or Hewlett Packard laser beam printers. Do It Wiser (trading as Image Toner) agreed to a Consent Judgment and Permanent Injunction from the Southern District of New York, which will prohibit them from making, using, selling and offering for sale in the U.S., and from importing into the U.S., these toner cartridges and their infringing photosensitive drums.
New plant to make 250,000 color printers a year
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harp plans to build a new color printer plant in China to strengthen its multifunctional printer (MFP) business there. Sharp already has plants in Jiangsu Province, China, producing office equipment.The new plant will produce multifunctional color printer and toner cartridges, and is scheduled to open in April. The new plant is expected to produce 250,000 color MFPs every year, which means the two plants will make a total of 650,000 printers every year, according to Sharp.. Sharp expects demand for color multifunction printers to grow 21.2% this year. However, they expect the demand for black and white printers to stay the same. Sharp claims it had the top market share of black and white printers in China in 2010 at 20% , but is ranked fifth in the color printer market.
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Samsung launches new MPS program
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amsung Electronics America Inc. (a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation) has launched its PrintIQ managed print services (MPS) program in the United States. PrintIQ is composed of 6 elements, including System Analysis, Print Management, Leasing Program, Sales Tools, Supplies and National Service & Support. It is designed to help dealers and resellers implement strategic managed print solutions and meet their customers’ differentiated need. Besides, it helps reduce cost and enhance revenue and profits. Through Samsung PrintIQ program, dealers and resellers can analyze, optimize and manage their customers’ printer, multi-function printer (MFP) and copier fleets. Partners for the Samsung PrintIQ program include Print Fleet, MWA Intelligence, LMI, Compass Sales Solutions and Great America Leasing Corporation. “Samsung PrintIQ is a smart solution for our dealers, resellers and partners trying to meet their customers’ changing demands,” said Todd Bouman, vice president of marketing for Samsung Electronics America’s Enterprise Business Division. “At Samsung, our customers are our number one priority and implementing this program will help them to substantially increase productivity and lower their customers’ total cost of ownership.” Shortly after the launch, Samsung announced its cooperation with PrintFleet, a provider of print management software solutions in a MPS program. PrintFleet say they will offer a common technology platform and support infrastructure customized to meet specific channel and delivery requirements. Other partners of PrintFleet include Great American Leasing, LMI and Compass and Resellers in the United States. "Our dealers and resellers are looking for ways to cut costs - and we are equipping our channel partners with the technology and knowledge to make that possible," said Ron Nevo, Senior Product Manager, Samsung Enterprise Business Division, “PrintFleet is undoubtedly the leading brand in MPS device monitoring and partnering to broaden our product portfolio to include PrintFleet technology will enable us to continue to grow as one of the leaders in the imaging industry.” “PrintFleet’s approach to business mirrors Samsung’s,” said Chris McFarlane, President and COO, PrintFleet. “Both companies are dedicated to their customers and look for ways to simplify business processes. PrintFleet gives the Dealer community the flexibility to build their own branded MPS offering while taking advantage of the training, services, supplies, finance, software and technology support provided through Samsung and their key partners.”
Recycling Times Magazine
OEM News
Ricoh expands toner production
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icoh will invest US$136 million (11 billion yen) adding three new toner production lines in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The three added toner lines at Tohoku Ricoh Company will produce the latest “PxP-EQ” chemical toner, according to Ricoh. The new “PxP-EQ” toner features the latest developments from Ricoh’s research and development. Ricoh says the new toners will provide “further improvements to image quality with the lowest possible environmental impacts and Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC)”. Ricoh expect the construction of the toner lines to start on May 1st, 2012, with operations scheduled to begin in June, 2013. Previously Ricoh was producing “PxP-EQ” toner at its Numazu plant only. The expansion aims at meeting the projected increase in demand and to enable Ricoh to meet its global growth plans. Ricoh has structures in five global regions: Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific, China and Japan. This includes sales and production operations and ensures Ricoh is delivering products and services to match local business requirements.
Konica expands in Asia
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n order to expand and strengthen its business in Asia, Konica Minolta has opened regional offices in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Vietnam and Thailand. Konica Minolta say these actions will provide enhanced marketing and improved customer support in high growth markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Konica Minolta previously distributed its office equipment in Asia through local sales distributors in each country. By setting up these new head offices, sales subsidiaries and an office in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Konica Minolta expects to increase its sales in these areas. “Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia PTE Ltd. (BSA)” in Southeast Asia and “Konica Minolta Business Solutions Middle East FZE” in the Middle East are the names of the new regional head offices. The new office in Thailand will work as the local base office of BSA and be responsible for conducting market research and business coordination with BSA and local distributors.
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HP introduces 4 Officejet printers
H
P has introduced four new Officejet printers, aiming at reduce costs for small and medium businesses (SMB). The newly-added HP’s range include three multifunction printers—the Officejet 6600, 6700 Premium and 4620 e—and one single function option—the Officejet 6100 ePrinter. HP says these new printers are designed to help increase efficiency in offices. The Officejet 4620 e-AIO can print, scan, copy and fax. It can print speeds up to 8 ppm in black and 7.5 ppm in color. It has a 35-sheet ADF, Energy Star certification and ships in 100 percent recyclable packaging. The HP Officejet 6600 e-AIO also prints, scans, copies and faxes. But it prints quicker at 14 ppm in black and 8 ppm in color. It’s additional features include a 2.65-inch touch screen, wireless networking, a 35-sheet ADF, 250-sheet paper tray and Energy Star certification. HP say their flagship model is the Officejet 6700 Premium e-AIO. It includes all functions but will print faster again in black up to 16 ppm and color up to 9 ppm. HP also includes a front side USB port, Ethernet connectivity, wireless connectivity and automatic duplexing. The single function Officejet 6100 ePrinter is similar to the Officejet 6700 Premium with identical print speeds, wireless and wired connectivity and Energy Star certification.
Dell launches new inkjets
A
fter having not released any inkjet printers for two years, Dell has re-emerged with two new multifunction inkjet printers—the Dell V725w and Dell V525w The V725w can perform 4 functions—print, scan, copy and fax. Dell claims it can print up to 35 pages per minute with a print resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. This wireless printer is equipped with a 50-page automatic document feeder, a 2.4-inch color LCD 150-sheet paper tray and a high capacity replacement ink cartridge. The Dell V525w also offers print, scan, copy and fax capabilities. As with the V725w, it’s equipped with a 2.4-inch LCD, automatic duplexing. with a print resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi and wireless connectivity. The difference is that the V525w can print up to 10 ppm, and only offers a 35-sheet ADF and a 100-sheet paper tray. But it is $40 cheaper to buy. The new Dell V725w and V525w printers are available now on Dell’s website.
Recycling Times Magazine
OEM News
Xerox named sole supplier for government
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erox U.K. has been selected as the UK government’s only supplier of multifunctional devices (MFD) and a preferred supplier of managed print services (MPS).
The UK government’s Government Procurement Service partners with two purchasing organizations, YPO and ESPO in a new framework agreement. The £9,000 million agreement covers procurement of multifunctional devices, technology services, managed print services and print audits. In it, Xerox is selected as the only supplier of multifunctional devices, and one of the preferred suppliers of managed print services and technology service. Xerox’s deal of multifunctional devices is expected to reach £150 million. Xerox has been a partner to the UK government and public sector for more than 35 years. It provides technology and managed print services to help government lower costs, increase productivity, improve document security and establish more sustainable workplaces. Alan Charnley, managing director, Xerox U.K. and Ireland, said: “ The agreement draws on both our technology innovation and our experience in transforming print and document management through fully-managed services. We look forward to playing our part in helping the U.K. public sector achieve its cost reduction and sustainability targets.”
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Lexmark wins $50 million MPS contract
L
exmark International, Inc. says it has been awarded a five-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for an agencywide managed print services (MPS) program. The agreement has an estimated $50 million value. With this 5-year contract, Lexmark’s MPS program is now available to all USDA agencies worldwide. Lexmark says the program includes professional services, output optimization, workflow solutions and business process transformation. This will enable the USDA to streamline business processes, increase its effectiveness in day-today operations and drive substantial cost savings across its highly distributed printing environments. Through this services engagement, USDA agencies will have services resources available to assess their output environment needs. Marty Canning, Lexmark executive vice president and president of Imaging Solutions and Services says: “By leveraging Lexmark’s world-class MPS offerings, business process expertise and industry knowledge, the USDA will now have more time to spend on missioncritical work within its agencies.”
Recycling Times Magazine
Profiles
MSE’s 18-year commitment to quality by Art Diamond, Senior Consulting Editor On April 12, 2012 we visited Micro Solutions Enterprises at their corporate headquarters in Van Nuys, California, spending a few informative hours with Senior Vice President Luke Goldberg. After taking Tony Lee, David Gibbons and me on an extended tour of the huge facility we came away with a message loud and clear: You can’t win in this game playing by the old rules. You can’t grow your company by selling on price and personality. Not in a mature market. Not in North America or Europe. The old rules may work in India today, or in other emerging Asia Pacific regions, but for MSE the focus is on quality and innovation. Pursuing that precept has brought fame and fortune to MSE and to the Wazana brothers who built the organization from the ground up: CEO Avi; Founder & President Yoel; and, Vice President for Sales, Gil. Today, Success sparkles from every shrink-wrapped pallet load of reman cartridges on the shipping dock of the Company’s award-winning plant. Indeed, MSE is the United States’ largest toner cartridge remanufacturer producing in excess of 200,000 reman cartridges per month, with 300,000 finished products in stock, ready to ship. The company’s Van Nuys factory occupies some 225,000 square feet of floor space, with an additional 35,000 ft2 warehouse nearby dedicated to core collection and inspection. In excess of 800 workers are employed worldwide, which includes sales and distribution centers in Exton, PA, The Netherlands, the UK and Spain.
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Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean “We divide today’s cartridge aftermarket between Blue Ocean and Red Ocean segments”, said Luke Goldberg,
explaining that “The Blue Ocean belongs to the OEMs, to color and to niche sectors like magnetic ink character recognition (MICR). The Red Ocean is red because it is chummed with the blood of those aftermarket players competing fiercely on price alone!” To further clarify global markets, Goldberg pegged U.S. and European shares in these Blue Ocean sectors as 70% to 75% OEM versus 25% to 30% remanufacturers. By comparison, in India, a Red Ocean market, OEMs and rechargers share equally, each earning about 50% of the total cartridges replaced. Goldberg doesn’t see India as a market for MSE today, but in the future, as consumers become more sophisticated and rank quality higher than price, MSE will likely become active on the Indian sub-continent. MSE has a strong footprint in Europe, a full blown operation with 3 distribution centers staffed by 25 workers. “We are growing very quickly,” observes Goldberg, “not just in Europe, but in the Middle East, in Russia, in the former Soviet Bloc countries and in Latin America. We are a global company with a bright future doing about 35% of our business outside the United States, but there are certain markets we have
▲ MSE’s plant in Van Nuys, California May 2012 |
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Profiles not entered. Thus far, China, India, and Southeast Asia are not active targets. Perhaps we will address those markets as they mature, but for now, we will not sell cartridges in those regions that fall into the Red Ocean category.” In the Middle East notes Goldberg, “You not only have new mold knock-offs and compatibles, but there are also counterfeit cartridges in the mix. That might be a deterrent, but on the positive side, most of the big multi-national corporations in the Middle East today are using OEM cartridges. That’s a plus because MSE can compete vigorously on quality, page yield, price and consistency. Therefore, the Middle East today has greater potential for MSE than India, China or Southeast Asia.” An excellent alternative Extended yield cartridges are an excellent alternative for Dealers that are operating under MPS, or cost-per-page contracts. MSE competes successfully against the OEMs by offering tangible benefits that differentiate our products from the competition. Those tangible benefits include: • Highest cartridge quality: consistent, uniform and sustained • Extended yield cartridges • Patented technologies • Outstanding marketing and technical support • Factory tours • Customized DVDs & private labels for dealers • Products that are made in the USA MSE’s high quality standards are backed by an 18-year commitment to extensive testing, statistical quality control and effective worker incentives. Extended yield cartridges are not attractive to the transactional Dealer who is primarily interested in the number of cartridges sold. He or she is not going to get twice the price for a cartridge that delivers twice the page yield. Dealers are concerned with selling more, not fewer, cartridges. But, for end users on MPS contracts, the extended yield cartridge is an attractive, cost saving feature.
▲ MSE’s Senior Vice President Luke Goldberg
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A tough competitor “In other words,” says Goldberg, “it’s our high product quality and how we support and educate our Dealers that make us a tough competitor and enables our Dealers to compete strongly against the OEMs. These are tangible, concrete, visual, benefits that make our products as good as we say they are.” MSE not only offers Dealers a premium product, but also the highest level of support from both a marketing and training standpoint. Included are things like factory tours where Dealers and their Customers are welcomed to visit the plant. One of the advantages of having our plant in the United States, explains Goldberg, is that the facility is convenient to domestic Dealers and their Customers. “If a Customer wants to visit a competitor’s plant, they would have to travel to Mexico, or China, or Vietnam, for example.” For those end-users pressured to cut costs, especially those who have had a bad experience with poorly remanned cartridges, MSE can show them a clean, spacious U.S. plant, with state-of-the-art equipment, a dedicated workforce, complete statistical quality control in effect and proven quality incentives in place. These are very persuasive sales tools. A mature industry With a quarter century of growth, this is a mature industry, notes Goldberg estimating that 10 years ago some 7,000 remanufacturing companies were collecting and remanufacturing cartridges in the United States. Today, that number has shrunk to less than 700. But, the industry has changed, not just in size, but also in focus. In today’s world, end users have grown more sophisticated and are setting print quality and cartridge performance above price. In the US, Europe and Australia, 90% of Dealers are not interested in stepwise instructions on “How to” disassemble and reman a cartridge. Today, it is more about testing each component and how they interact. This quality control information is often considered proprietary. You won’t find it in the typical “How to” set of stepwise instructions; it is only available from a major supplier, such as, Future Graphics, Static Control Components or UniNet. These sources have the information and are happy to divulge it to their Customers. Prior to marketing reman cartridges, Luke Goldberg spent 18 years selling raw materials to rechargers. He often told his Customers they should not be remanufacturing cartridges because they had neither the capital equipment nor the technical knowhow to do them properly. Many could not
Recycling Times Magazine
Profiles afford a test printer for every model cartridge they were processing. Others had no ambient temperature or humidity control in their work area. In short, they could build a cartridge, but poor or inconsistent quality made selling it a challenging task. MSE’s investment in environmental chambers, sophisticated CAD/CAM computers to design tools, fixtures and parts, a 3D printer for molding prototype parts, a fully-equipped machine shop, a practical print test lab loaded with every model printer MSE cartridges serve, etc., etc., is exemplary. It comprises tens of millions of dollars in capital equipment. Couple that with tens of millions of dollars in a highly trained workforce and MSE is indeed a world class player in the cartridge reman industry.
welded plastic fortress that is the 43x (HP 9000 cartridge). MSE’s patented ultrasonic welding and cartridge separation technologies take the place of common splitting methods and not only maintain OEM gap tolerances, but also offer a clipfree appearance and bond strength similar to the OEM. To quote Luke Goldberg, MSE takes pride in its “Intelligent Re-engineering” concept in every phase of cartridge R&D, BOM selection, disassembly, repair, refill and reassembly operations. Couple these with MSE’s labor saving cartridge processing, cleaning and robotics, and the Company’s reman line is definitely state-of-the-art. Another focus on quality at MSE is its 5 step QC process which includes a QC loop where every cartridge is scanned and checked for critical attention areas. Spent cartridge collection Despite the growing difficulty of collecting and acquiring spent cartridges (termed, “empties” or “cores”), they remain the basic raw material for the recharging process and the reman industry. MSE has always refused to depend upon any compatible, new mold, or counterfeit cartridge for its operations. Another reason for MSE to take the high road is that it has been extremely successful in developing unique methods for collecting genuine, OEM cores. In other words, MSE continues to do well without taking any risks. In a fiercely competitive search for spent cartridges, MSE stepped up to the plate and found unique and creative ways to ensure a steady stream of cores. Once again, they went the extra mile. Color With color toner particles now as fine as 6 microns in diameter—half the size of conventional 10-micron monochrome toners—most wiper blades cannot be re-used in a reman cartridge. To avoid lines or streaks in a color print, MSE installs new wiper blades in every color toner cartridge
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Intelligent re-engineering Many of the processes in operation on the production line are fully automated. MSE is proud of the 450 fixtures, jigs and tools their team of 11 manufacturing engineers have designed and built for the Van Nuys plant. These eliminate human error, reduce labor costs and ensure consistent quality. Among them are the automated disassembly and cleaning of incoming spent cartridges. In the process of improving the permissible repair operations inherent in cartridge remanufacturing, innovative MSE engineers found ways to improve every cartridge. MSE has been awarded 18 U.S. patents for its Intelligent ReEngineering program with 20 additional patent applications now pending. When the cartridge recharging business began attracting entrepreneurs in the early 1990s, OEMs saw their share of aftermarket sales decline. To obstruct the rechargers, OEMs switched to welding cartridges shut, thereby eliminating the screws or clips that held them together in earlier models. This move was a barrier to anyone attempting to remanufacture the cartridge. Rechargers fought back with novel hopper splitting tools, jigs and techniques to access the cartridge components. One popular solution used a circular saw to slice open the plastic hopper. While simple and effective, it left a gap between the two parts and a trail of plastic powder that might possibly contaminate the toner. Some rechargers today still use the splitting process. MSE devised a much better solution by constructing precise, razor sharp, programmed, laser beam cutting systems that produce an extremely fine, clean cut, leave no gap and no detritus. Today, this patented technology is used for the
▲ On a roll: cartridges head to quality control
May 2012 |
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Recycling Times Magazine
Profiles it ships. In addition, every new blade is examined using a Micro Vue inspection system that can detect a nick as tiny as 2 microns in size. This 100% testing protocol is typical of MSE’s keen focus on quality. Computerized design technology An important MSE mission is to develop precision machine parts and cartridge components for use in-house. The first step is to identify and dimension an existing component. Using a three-dimensional laser micrometer, MSE designers are capable of creating engineering drawings that are accurate within a few microns (one micron is equal to one-thousandth of a millimeter). Using customized software, these design parameters can then be transferred to a 3D Printer (a UV-crosslinked, epoxyresin based, stereo lithographic apparatus, or SLA) to create a solid part. Alternately, the same software can be used to create the reverse image—a mold for that part. Having produced the solid part, MSE can then test this prototype in a cartridge environment for both fit and function. If it doesn’t fit or function properly, it can be modified. The three-dimensional object can be re-designed, redimensioned and converted into a revised set of working
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drawings. It can also be translated into CNC (computer numerical control) language for automated machining. This process shrinks the traditional length of time needed to firstly design and build a mold and then to go through the testing and tweaking phase to ensure the part is fit and functional in a printer. Computerized design technology is another example of the extra mile that MSE will walk to create the most perfect remanufactured cartridge. If it can improve on a component, it has the engineers, computers and full function machine shop to make that happen. This, once again, is Intelligent ReEngineering. At the end of the day After spending the day with Luke Goldberg it was clear that MSE is bullish on the future of our industry and continues to invest in technology and human resources in order to ensure they remain at the leading edge of the market. MSE is a testament to the fact you can remain true to your founding principles, which for this world leader always began with quality. MSE will continue to endeavor to provide a true alternative to the OEM and to drive growth through its Dealers by focusing them on the real competition: the OEM.
Recycling Times Magazine
Features
What’s new in marketing? by Art Diamond, Senior Consulting Editor Among the many new developments in selling aftermarket cartridges, 7 stand out foremost in my mind: • Managed Print Services • Red Ocean Blue Ocean Terminology • Pondering a 50% Market Share • Color Toners Now Available to the Aftermarket • A Growing Focus on Cartridge Quality • Canon’s GEO • Biotoners Managed Print Services Of course, MPS has been the biggest news in marketing in our industry over the past 25 years. Beginning with the Photizo Group’s launch in 2006, this acronym continues to dominate the industry’s publications, magazines, seminars, trade shows, networking events and keynote speeches. Its foremost proponent, the Photizo Group, led by CEO and President Edward Crowley, is now forecasting that by 2014, 50 percent of all office printing revenues will be earned under an MPS contract. MPS has been a boon to both OEMs and aftermarket players. OEMs are able to offer discounted prices on cartridge sales and back up these contracts with hardware service agreements that keep their in-house machine repair and maintenance people gainfully employed. Remanufacturers are able to offer even more deeply
discounted pricing on cartridges, parts and components, together with agreements that ensure spent cartridges will be collected and returned. Red Ocean, Blue Ocean terminology We first heard the expression recently from Luke Goldberg Senior Vice President at MSE. It might be a bit dramatic, but it is certainly colorful. As he explains elsewhere in this issue, “We divide today’s cartridge aftermarket between Blue Ocean and Red Ocean segments. The Blue Ocean belongs to the OEMs, to color and to niche sectors like magnetic ink character recognition (MICR). The Red Ocean is red because it is chummed with the blood of those aftermarket players competing fiercely on price alone!” Rechargers competing against their fellows in the industry make no sense at all. They should be competing against OEM offerings in order to build market share. One difficulty in being a true OEM competitor derives from a lack of quality, or a lack of consistent quality among the products brought to market. Another reason for the Red Ocean condition is a lack of sophistication among end users. This is typical of emerging markets, such as, India, China and Southeast Asia. In these regions, consumers are buying on price rather than print quality and cartridge performance. Pondering a 50% market share Is 50% market share a sensible goal for the cartridge remanufacturers? Some say it is the natural split among endusers. If you base it upon human nature, roughly half will tend to buy new and the other half will prefer reman. But, be careful what you wish for. As the search for spent cartridges grows steadily more difficult, and as OEMs double-down their efforts to capture these cores and keep them out of the hands of remanufacturers, 50% might be an unsustainable tipping point that would make it impossible for rechargers to collect enough cores to fulfill customer orders. That is the thinking of some aftermarket sales executives.
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Color toners available to the aftermarket What seems to be a more rational aspiration, suggests MSE’s Luke Goldberg, is to increase the aftermarket share of color May 2012 |
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Recycling Times Magazine
Features
toner cartridges. Toward that objective, high quality color toners that are consistent in performance from batch-to-batch have been made available to aftermarket players over the past 2-3 years. With the thick profit margins these products afford, this development has injected new life into the Blue Ocean category of aftermarket sales. Goldberg estimates that rechargers now account for only about $1.5 billion of a $20 billion market for color cartridges worldwide. That is just a 7.5% share. He believes they could capture a 10% share or $2 billion annually by proper marketing and by guaranteeing consistent product quality. A growing focus on cartridge quality It continues to appear that quality is the key to gaining and sustaining a viable share of the market for replacement cartridges. This is clearly the case in the mature markets of the United States and Europe. But, not true in India, Southeast Asia and certain Asia Pacific regions. In those Red Ocean areas, where price is King and markets are ruled by cutthroat competition, it will take time for consumers to become more sophisticated and to demand higher print quality and better cartridge performance. When will this occur? Most likely it will be a gradual process that could evolve over a 5 to 10 year period. Canon’s GEO Another recent development in our industry is the General Exclusion Order awarded to Canon for its patented twisted prism drive covered by U.S. patents 5,903,803 and 6,128,454. While some respondents fretted, at least one (Atman, Inc. of El Segundo, CA) came to terms in a settlement with Canon. Others in our industry have been perfecting workaround solutions. For example, if every one of Canon’s claims specifies a twisted gear, shaft or socket, then a straight gear, shaft or socket will lie outside the area of patent coverage. Biotoners Since 2008, when SoyPrint ( Yarmouth, ME) introduced the first biotoner, this niche market has been evolving slowly. The demand for an environmentally friendly product has grown primarily in Western Europe
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where the main aftermarket sources are Future Graphics (BioBlack) and SoyPrint. OEMs are known to be working in this area. Among these are Canon, Kyocera-Mita, Minolta, Ricoh and Sharp. Xerox has been awarded a number of patents on biotoner using cellulosic biomass, but has not launched a product based on this technology. Unfortunately, current monochrome biotoners are considered to be priced a bit too high to justify their ecological advantage. As a result, they have captured only an extremely small share of the available market. There is some promise, however, of a future price reduction if and when economies of scale bring unit manufacturing costs down as production of the unique bio-based toner resins escalates. In the meantime, the advantages of these toners extend beyond the environment, as the following list shows: • Ecofriendly • Based upon a renewable resource • Biodegradable & compostable • Decompose under heat & moisture • Simplify deinking of office waste paper • Reduce our dependency on foreign oil • Attract a demand among concerned consumers • Dignify aftermarket toners • Enable rechargers to lead the industry
Recycling Times Magazine
Features
How IT consumerization is driving anytime, anywhere printing Today's dynamic workforce is more mobile than ever before. The widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets has broadened the effectiveness of professional workers to remotely support business requirements. End users want to have access to desktop functions, for all business applications, on any device, anytime, anywhere – and printing is no exception. A continued reliance on printing amongst many businesses means IT must provide enterprise mobile printing capabilities that are secure and reliable. This not only ensures employees remain productive but also allows mobile printing to be tracked and controlled – vital in an era when many businesses face financial, environmental and security concerns. 1. Overview
The digital workplace remains reliant on printing
Mobile printing increases employee productivity
Mobile printing must be centrally managed
The security risks of mobile printing must be addressed
Lack of mobile printing standards has created a nebulous market
Printer manufacturer solutions suit a standardized environment, ISVs offer solutions for mixed fleets
Managed Print Services (MPS) contracts must encompass mobile printing to ensure full enterprise printing control
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Despite the age of digital communications, many businesses continue to rely on printing to support business activities. As the consumerisation of IT accelerates smartphone and tablet usage in the enterprise and tablets become replacements for desktop and laptops, enterprise users will increasingly expect desktop-like printing capabilities from their mobile devices. As printing shifts from the desktop to the mobile device, IT must extend their print infrastructure to the mobile worker. By providing the ability to submit a print job from any mobile device to any printer, securely and reliably, employees gain more flexibility and convenience to print on the move. Mobile printing must be tightly integrated into an existing enterprise print management strategy to ensure costs are contained and security risks are mitigated. Print jobs from mobile devices must be subject to the same controls and scrutiny as those from the desktop, to ensure mobile print usage can be monitored and controlled. Recent Quocirca research revealed that 70% of organizations have experienced one or more accidental data breaches through printing. Unsecured mobile printing can result in confidential information being left in output trays, exposed to prying eyes. This can be overcome through secure job release or ‘pull-printing’ which uses authentication to release print jobs and also maintains a full audit trail. The market is characterized by mix of hardware, software and cloudbased printing services. The lack of standards and varying solutions means organizations are faced with a complex array of solutions. Approaches to submitting a print job include sending documents as an email attachment via a public or private cloud to a registered printer, submitting a print job through a web browser or direct printing over Wi-Fi. Most manufacturers offer a variety of mobile printing solutions for their own devices. HP, in particular, offers a broad range of consumer and enterprise mobile printing solutions through its ePrint portfolio which also includes support for Apple’s AirPrint and Google’s CloudPrint. For mixed fleets, third party solutions such as EFI PrintMe Mobile provide mobile printing support across a multivendor environment. A managed print service can significantly reduce the complexity, cost and risk of unmanaged printing through a process of device consolidation and continuous management. This enables organizations to maintain control and ensure security of all printing, regardless of where it originates. While MPS providers such as HP, Ricoh and Xerox offer integrated tracking and reporting for desktop and mobile printing, Canon’s uniFLOW is currently the only single print management platform for managing, securing and tracking print usage across the both environments.
Recycling Times Magazine
Features In general, the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets, the growth of cloud computing and the increased need for convenience printing means that organizations must provide employees with a secure and simple managed approach to mobile printing. Unless organizations are ready to invest in mobile print-enabled printer hardware, they will need to implement mobile printing point solutions according to the capabilities of their existing fleet.
to extend the print infrastructure to the mobile worker. Organizations that ignore the impact of consumerisation on their print environment can leave their organization at risk, as employees will bypass IT to use alternative consumer printing apps. These solutions may not offer sufficient protection and will also prevent organizations from tracking and controlling print usage. Indeed, the risk of unsecured mobile printing cannot be overlooked. With recent Quocirca research revealing that 70% of organizations have experienced one or more accidental data breaches through printing, organizations need tighter controls on printing, particularly as mobile devices proliferate in the organization. Using secure ‘pull printing’ can mitigate the risks of confidential information being exposed to unauthorized users by only releasing print jobs upon user authentication, such as a swipe card or PIN code, preventing printed output being left unclaimed in an output tray. Many organizations are already addressing the complexity, cost and risk of their print environments through effective print management. They now need to take the next step to encompass mobile printing within their strategy to enhance employee and business productivity. This report highlights market developments in mobile printing, discusses some of the main offerings in the market and recommends some best practices. ▲
2. Introduction IT consumerisation is now an unstoppable trend. The rapid proliferation of mobile devices is seeing more employees rely on their personal devices in their professional lives, with many organizations now supporting multiple mobile platforms such as BlackBerry, iOS and Android. According to the iPass Mobile Workforce Report published in November 2011, 91% of mobile workers use a smartphone for work with 44% of mobile employees owning a tablet device. The complexity of managing the wide variety of mobile devices in the enterprise is driving growth of cloud-based offerings as IT look to leverage alternative IT delivery and acquisition models. Mobile device proliferation, cloud computing acceptance and an increasingly mobile workforce are key trends that are today driving interest in mobile printing. This dynamic and mobile workforce has increased expectations for the same access to corporate resources as they have from desktop devices – and printing is no exception. Even in a world of smartphones and tablets, printing remains essential to many business activities. Over half of respondents in a recent Quocirca survey indicated that printing is critical or very important to their business activities, signifying that, for many, the paperless office still remains tantalizing out of reach. There is certainly an appetite for mobile printing, reflected in Quocirca’s recent study amongst 125 enterprises. Almost a quarter of respondents are actively investigating mobile printing, with just 5% having deployed mobile printing – representative of a market still in its infancy.(See Figure 1) As the office extends to an ever-wider range of work locations, and businesses find themselves supporting a diverse range of mobile platforms it is becoming crucial ▲ Figure1: Interest in Mobile Printing (125 enterprises)
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Features 3. Scope and definitions Quocirca has included the following vendors in this study: • Hardware vendors: Canon, HP, Lexmark, Ricoh and Xerox. • Third party ISVs: Cortado, EFI, EveryonePrint, PrinterOn and Ringdale Each vendor completed a written submission detailing its strategy and solution portfolio. These submissions were followed up with vendor interviews. The report also references a recent Quocirca survey of 125 IT managers in the UK, France, Germany and the Nordic regions. Quocirca uses the following definitions:
ePrint printers in 2011 - but it also enables vendors to capture pages as they shift from the desktop to the mobile device. In many cases these are ‘high value’ color pages that generate additional revenue opportunities. A fragmented market Given the diversity of mobile platforms and printer hardware, it is unsurprising that the mobile printing market is fragmented, characterised by an array of hardware, software and cloud-based services. The mobile printing ecosystem is broadly populated by printer/copier manufacturers and independent software vendors (ISVs). (See Figure 2)
• Mobile printing: For the purposes of this report, mobile printing refers to print jobs submitted by business users via a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Consumer mobile printing hardware and software is not covered in this report. • Cloud printing: In a cloud printing scenario, print jobs are emailed to a registered web or cloud-enabled printer via a private or public cloud. • Pull printing: Pull printing functionality allows a document to be released only upon user authentication using methods such as proximity/ magnetic/smart cards or biometric recognition. Users submit jobs to designated pull-printing queues and jobs are moved from the pull-printing queue to the dedicated print queue. Pull printing enhances security and minimizes wastage by ensuring print jobs are only collected by authorized users. • Managed Print Service (MPS): This is the outsourcing of the print infrastructure through a process of assessment, optimization and on-going management. MPS comes in many flavors’, from entry level basic MPS packages that wrap hardware, service and supplies based on a cost per page contract, to more sophisticated enterprise engagements that include document workflow solutions, change management and continuous management, based on stringent service level agreements.
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• Hardware manufacturers: These vendors offer a mobile printing portfolio that comprises hardware, software and services. Printers may be cloud or webenabled as in the case of HP’s ePrint or Ricoh’s HotSpot range of printers. This allows devices to be registered for these vendors’ respective cloud printing services. Most of the hardware-centric mobile print solutions are brandspecific, although some do offer multivendor support. Vendors that offer some form of mobile printing solution or service include Canon, HP, Lexmark, Konica Minolta, Ricoh and Xerox. Each varies in the completeness of their mobile print solutions portfolio. Hardware manufacturers such as Canon, HP, Lexmark, Ricoh and Xerox also offer mobile printing services as part of their managed print services (MPS) portfolio, enabling organizations to manage and track printing across both desktop and mobile environments. • ISVs: These vendors include EFI, Cortado, PrinterOn and Pcounter, who all offer vendor-agnostic mobile
▲
4. The market landscape The widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets is certainly reshaping the printer market, providing hardware manufacturers with the opportunity to capitalize on the hardware, software and services opportunity. Not only is the demand for mobile printing an opportunity for more hardware sales – HP, for instance, shipped over 15 million web-enabled
▲ Figure2: Mobile Printing Ecosystem (Enterprise solutions)
Recycling Times Magazine
Features print solutions. These are particularly suitable for organizations operating a mixed fleet, avoiding the need to implement multiple solutions for each mobile platform and printer or MFP. In many cases, hardware vendors will partner with ISVs to deliver multivendor support where appropriate. Google Cloud Print, currently in beta, offers printing from smartphones or tablets with Gmail for mobile, Google Docs for mobile and other supported apps to cloud-enabled printers. Google Cloud Print Ready printers register themselves directly with the Google Cloud Print service and these include HP ePrint and selected Kodak and Epson printers.
public or private cloud. When deployed in the enterprise, it is critical that mobile print solutions are vendoragnostic, use a private cloud approach and employ encryption and authentication methods to ensure document security and privacy. There are a number of ways to print from a mobile device, although capabilities vary across vendor and mobile platform (See Figure 3).
• Operating system vendors: Currently the only mobile platform to offer direct printing support is Apple’s ▲ Figure3: Printing from any mobile platform to any printer or MFP AirPrint. This offers wireless printing from iPad, iPhone (3GS or later) or iPod touch • Email or web browser: This can use either a (3rd generation or later) devices to AirPrint-enabled private or public cloud infrastructure depending on devices. These include selected printers from Brother, an organization’s requirements. A print job is sent to Canon, Epson, HP and Lexmark. a printer’s unique email address either by email or via a web browser. A limitation with printing via email is Usage scenarios Mobile printing usage scenarios can be broadly categorized that content is constrained to what can be sent as an as: attachment and finishing options are not always available • Public printing/guest printing services: Printing from a public printing “hot-spot” such as hotels, business canters, airports that offer Wi-Fi connectivity, web access and print and copy services. Mobile workers can discover printers or send print jobs as an email attachment from their mobile devices. Public print locations require an authentication code before users can release a print job from a designated printer. Print jobs are typically submitted via email or through a web browser. Examples include EFI’s PrintMe service which is available at more than 3,000 public locations, HP ePrint public print locations such as FedEx and Hilton and Ricoh’s HotSpot printing which uses PrinterOn’s public printing network. • Printing across a corporate network: Printing from any device to any printer or MFP across a corporate network promotes user mobility across company locations. Printing may be direct from a mobile device or application, via an email attachment to a registered printer or through a web browser, using a
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(e.g. duplex, booklet, stapling etc.). Web browser job submission may offer more flexibility on what type of document can be uploaded. • Wireless printing This is possible through two approaches: » Direct-to-printer wireless printing enables printing via a direct wireless connection between a mobile device and wireless printer without the need for access to a network. This requires either embedded OS print functionality for job rendering and routing (i.e. Apple AirPrint) or a mobile printing app. HP ePrint Wireless Direct Printing is one example and is supported on is supported on some of HP’s LaserJet pro models. » Wi-Fi network printing solutions such as EFI’s PrintMe Mobile enable printing via a Wi-Fi network connection to any printer connected to the corporate network. • Universal print driver: A universal driver provides users and administrators with a single driver for multiple devices, simplifying driver deployment and maintenance. A universal printer driver is particularly suitable for a
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Features multi-vendor print environment. • QR code: Some mobile print solutions such as those from Lexmark and Canon offer Quick Response (QR) code print job submission, enabling the user to scan a QR code attached to the printer to print. 5. Recommendations Quocirca recommends that a true mobile enterprise print solution should integrate with existing enterprise print management capabilities. For end-to-end control of printing across both desktop and mobile environments, enterprises should consider a managed print service that can proactively manage and control enterprise-wide printing. Capabilities to look for include: • Support for multiple mobile platforms: Users should have the ability to submit print jobs via a variety of methods, such as via email, a web browser or a smartphone application. Investigate what document formats can be printed and whether driver settings can be modified to customize print jobs. • Print security: Any mobile printing platform must offer secure job release features that are consistent with any access control and authentication methods used for desktop printing. Limiting access to printers and MFPs to known users is a crucial step in safeguarding confidential or sensitive information. The most common authentication mechanisms include passwords, smartcards, and two-factor authentication, such as a combination of a password and card access. MFPs can be configured to authenticate users against the organization’s corporate directory via LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), LDAP over Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Kerberos. Authentication can be implemented by either using an external authentication server, using authentication features embedded within a device, or by installing software that works with the
MFP on a PC or workstation. This form of access control is also known as ‘pull-printing’. Look for solutions that offer auditing and tracking of print jobs across desktop and mobile environments to ensure a holistic view and control of all printing activity. • Multivendor support: Hardware-centric solutions may of course be most suited to organizations operating a standardized fleet environment. However, in reality most organizations operate a range of printers and MFPs from different manufacturers. To address the need for mobile printing across a mixed fleet environment, third party solutions such as those from EFI should be considered. Quocirca recommends that organizations consider solutions that use a universal driver, enabling print jobs to be printed to any printer. This can also enable users to preview their print jobs and change finishing options before a job is printed. • Cost control and accounting: Look for capabilities that enable restrictions and controls to prevent users from printing to more expensive printers, or exceeding print quotas. If such cost control and accounting is not integrated in the mobile printing platform, look for compatibility with leading cost recovery tools such as Equitrac and Print Audit. • Private or public cloud print services: As corporate network access opens up, applications, storage, and infrastructure are moving to cloud computing environments. The shift towards cloud computing and the mobile consumption of information through applications such as Google Apps and Office 365 opens up wider opportunities to print, particularly as access to cloud-enabled printers grows. Enterprises and public sector organizations may prefer a private cloud deployment that lives within the firewall, to ensure the security of sensitive data. As many organizations are now looking to hybrid clouds that blend the benefits of private clouds with public clouds, solutions such as HP ePrint offer both private and public cloud deployment options.
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• MPS: The benefits of integrating MPS with mobile printing support should not be underestimated. A managed print service reduces the cost, complexity and risk of operating an unmanaged print infrastructure. This is achieved through a process of fleet assessment, device consolidation, implementation of document workflow tools and continuous management. If an organization is using MPS and does not extend its coverage to May 2012 |
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Features
include mobile printing, it is essentially opening its print infrastructure to escalating costs and security risks. Ensure that an MPS provider can provide integrated control of desktop and mobile printing. A strong offering in this area is Canon uniFLOW, a single print management platform, which offers integrated security and accounting across both environments. There is no silver bullet for mobile printing, and organizations need to develop a policy framework that balances business value and risk mitigation. Those organizations already operating a managed print environment may find this process easier, as they can leverage the experience of their provider to determine how best to support mobile printing. For those organizations that are not using MPS, the task is more challenging and they should seek firstly to rationalize their existing fleet before introducing mobile print capabilities. 6. Conclusion Whilst tablets will undoubtedly reduce the need for certain types of printed output, it is still unrealistic to expect the utopian ideal of the paperless office. Printing will continue to support business activities for some time yet, and organizations need to address and support mobile productivity by providing printing support across a diverse range of mobile platforms. The shift towards the use of consumer mobile devices in today’s fast-paced mobile workplace means IT managers need to ensure employees can access company resources through a variety of mobile platforms. The growing accessibility of cloud computing means many enterprises are turning to cloudbased services to improve flexibility and business agility. These key trends are driving interest in cloud-based printing services as organizations look to extend their print infrastructure to mobile workers. The advent of managed print services (MPS) means that, more than before, the print infrastructure is more tightly
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controlled by IT, allowing the enforcement of policies and controls on what is being printed and where. However, the use of personal mobile devices and consumer cloud services for work activities is creating an IT headache as users’ expectations on how they use their mobile devices in the office environment grows. Whilst printing may sit on the periphery of the IT infrastructure, left uncontrolled it is not only a huge cost drain – both financially and environmentally – but also a security risk. If mobile printing support is not offered, users will bypass IT completely and use unapproved and potentially unsecure consumer apps. Incorporating mobile printing as part of an overall enterprise print strategy is the best way forward – this mitigates security risks and ensures that all printing is tracked, managed and controlled. Mobile print management is clearly an evolving practice, and Quocirca expects to see further developments in the market in 2012 as hardware vendors working to simplify and consolidating their offerings. Quocirca advises organizations to adopt and expand mobile printing capabilities today to support existing requirements and to prepare for the eventual broader adoption of mobile devices. About Quocirca Quocirca is a primary research and analysis company specializing in the business impact of information technology and communications (ITC). With world-wide, native language reach, Quocirca provides in-depth insights into the views of buyers and influencers in large, mid-sized and small organizations. Its analyst team is made up of real-world practitioners with first-hand experience of ITC delivery who continuously research and track the industry and its real usage in the markets. Quocirca works with global and local providers of ITC products and services to help them deliver on the promise that ITC holds for business. Quocirca’s clients include Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, O2, T-Mobile, HP, Xerox, EMC, Symantec and Cisco, along with other large and medium-sized vendors, service providers and more specialist firms. Details of Quocirca’s work and the services it offers can be found at http://www.quocirca.com. Louella Fernandes
Rob Bamforth
Quocirca Ltd
Quocirca Ltd
Tel : +44 7886 331924
Tel: +44 7802 175796
Email: Louella.Fernandes@ Quocirca.com
Email: Rob.Bamforth@ Quocirca.com
Recycling Times Magazine
Tech Zone
Remanufacturing the Canon ImageClass MF 4570 series toner cartridge The Canon ImageClass MF 4570 Series of laser printers are based on a 26 ppm, true 600dpi Canon engine. These machines are multifunction printers that can print, copy, fax, and scan. They also come with duplex ability built in. These cartridges use a chip that controls the toner low functions. The 128 cartridge is rated for 2,100 pages. The printer itself has a very small foot print. It’s a nice small office/home multifunction machine. The first page out is stated to be under 6 seconds, and the scanner is capable of 9600 dpi. The printer when new comes with a starter cartridge that is rated for 1000 pages at 5% coverage, so your customers will be coming to you fairly quickly! The starter cartridges and replacement Cartridge 128 (2100 pages) are physically the same so you can make a standard cartridge from the starter. So far the machines in this series are: • Canon Imageclass MF 4410 • Canon Imageclass MF 4412 • Canon Imageclass MF 4420 • Canon Imageclass MF 4450 • Canon Imageclass MF 4452 • Canon Imageclass MF 4570 • Canon Imageclass MF 4452 • Canon Imageclass D550 Cartridge troubleshooting as well as running test pages, cleaning pages and some simple printer troubleshooting will be covered at the end of this article. The theory for these cartridges is a little different from past versions so we have covered it here. You don’t have to know the theory to remanufacture cartridges, but it sure helps if you have a problem. Troubleshooting time can be dramatically reduced.
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Cartridge theory: Figure A gives a nice block diagram of the printing process The image formation process consists of a series of steps. In the first step, the Primary Charge roller (PCR) places a uniform negative DC Bias voltage on the OPC drum surface. The amount of the negative DC Bias placed on the drum is controlled by the printer’s intensity setting. This process is part of the latent Image formation block. See Figure B
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▲ Canon MF 4570 (128)
▲ Figure A
▲ Figure B
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Tech Zone
▲ Figure C
▲ Figure D
▲ Figure E
In the second step, the laser beam is fired onto a rotating mirror (called the scanner). As the mirror rotates, the beam reflects into a set of focusing lens. The beam then strikes the OPC’s surface, which neutralizes the negative charge on the drum and leaves a latent electrostatic image on the drum. The laser unit actually fires 2 beams. See Figures C & D The third step (developing block) is where the toner image is developed on the drum by the developing section, (or supply chamber), which contains the toner particles. The toner is held to the magnetic roller sleeve by the stationary magnet inside the sleeve, and a DC bias voltage supplied by the high voltage power supply. This DC bias voltage is controlled by the printer’s density setting, and causes either more or less toner to be attracted to the drum. This in turn will either increase or decrease the print density. Both the Primary Charge roller and magnetic roller DC Bias voltages are controlled by the printer’s density setting. The amount of toner on the magnetic roller sleeve is also controlled by the rubber Doctor blade, which uses pressure to keep the amount of toner on the magnetic roller sleeve constant. This blade also causes a static charge to build up on the toner, which helps keep the coating of toner even, and allows easy transfer to the OPC drum. At the same time an AC signal is also placed on the magnetic roller sleeve. This signal decreases the attraction of the toner to the Magnetic Roller sleeve, and increases the repelling action of toner against the areas of the drum that was not exposed to the laser beam. This AC potential improves the density, and contrast of the toner on the printed page. See Figure E As the laser exposed areas of the OPC drum approach the magnetic roller, the toner particles are attracted to the drums surface due to the opposite voltage potentials of the toner, and laser exposed surface of the OPC drum. In the fourth step (transfer block) the toner image is then transferred to the paper as it passes below the drum by the transfer charge roller, which places a positive charge on the back of the paper. This positive charge causes the negatively charged toner on the drum’s surface to be attracted to the page. The small diameter of the drum, combined with the May 2012 |
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Tech Zone stiffness of the paper causes the paper to peel away from the drum. See Figure F In the fifth step (also part of the transfer block) the paper separates from the drum. The static charge eliminator weakens the attractive forces between the negatively charged drum surface, and the positively charged paper. This prevents toner dropouts onto the paper at low temperatures and humidity and also prevents paper from wrapping around the drum. In the Sixth step the image is then fused on to the paper by the fuser assembly, which is comprised of the upper fixing film assembly and the lower fuser roller. The paper passes between a heated upper fixing film assembly and a soft lower rubber roller. The upper heated element then melts the toner into the paper. The fixing film assembly consists of a Teflon sleeve with a ceramic heating element inside. These fusers are a bit different in that they have a Brush which has a DC Bias charge on it to help keep the film clean. See Figure G In the Seventh step the OPC drum is cleaned. On average, approximately 95% of the toner is transferred to the paper during the print cycle. As the drum rotates during printing, the remaining 5% of the toner that is on the OPC drum is cleaned off the drum by the wiper blade. It is then guided into the waste chamber by the recovery blade, and stored in the waste chamber. See Figure H Step 8 is where the residual charge is eliminated. Both the PCR and the laser unit are used for this. The Primary Charge Roller places an AC voltage across the drum surface and the laser unit’s second beam erases and residual charges left on the drum. This drum charge elimination is only turned on during the last rotation period of the drum.
▲ Figure F
▲ Figure G
▲ Figure H
Supplies required • Canon 128 toner • New drum • Replacement chip (Dedicated) • Wiper blade • Dr. blade • Magnetic roller • Sealing strip • Cotton swabs • Isopropyl alcohol • Drum padding powder • Conductive grease
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With the handle facing you, Remove the Right side screw and end cap from the cartridge. Be careful of the drum cover spring! Remove it with the end cap.
1
With the pair of needle nose pliers, release both the hopper tension springs. step >
step >
Tools required • Phillips head screw driver. • Small Common screw driver • Needle nose pliers • Jewelers Screwdriver set
2
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11 step >
step >
Tech Zone
12
Place the waste/drum section aside.
3
7
step >
Coat the new/cleaned wiper blade with your preferred lubricant. Install the wiper blade and 2 screws.
8
step >
step >
Clean out all the waste toner from the hopper. Be careful not to damage the recovery blade located next to the wiper blade. If this blade is bent in any way, the cartridge will leak. Make sure the wiper blade foam seals are clean.
Slide the waste/drum section over to the left side. Separate the two halves. step >
Install the new/cleaned drum hub side first.
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On the toner supply chamber right side, Remove the two screws and end
cap.
Install the cleaned PCR. Place a small amount of conductive grease on to the black holder side of the shaft. Just a small amount of grease is more than sufficient.
6
Remove the PCR and clean with your standard PCR cleaner.
Remove the two screws and the wiper blade.
9
Place another small amount of conductive grease on to the metal drum axle.
10
Remove the gears from the hopper as shown; Leave the large auger gear in place. step >
5
step >
step >
step >
step >
step >
On the waste/drum section, lift the drum up from the gear side. Twist and remove from the hopper.
4
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15
19
Fill the hopper with Canon 128 toner.
Remove the single screw and end from the opposite side.
step >
step >
step >
Tech Zone
22
Install the doctor blade and two screws.
step > step >
24
Install the gears as shown.
step >
Install the magnetic roller black bushing side first. Turn the roller until the keyed end locks in place.
23
25
Install the end cap and screws.
step >
Remove the magnetic roller assembly. Be careful of the bushings! They are very fragile.
16
17
Remove the doctor blade and two screws.
step >
Clean out all the remaining toner from the hopper. Make sure the magnetic roller seals and the doctor blade seals are all clean.
18
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Install the left side end cap and screw. Make sure the small contact piece is installed correctly on the end cap. step >
step >
step >
When a seal becomes available, remove the seal port plug, and install the seal. Bring the tail out through the seal port hole. Install the plug.
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Tech Zone
28
With the drum cover spring as shown on the end cap, install the end cap. Lift up the tail of the spring to fit onto the hopper.
Repetitive defect chart OPC drum:
75mm
Upper fuser film:
57mm
Lower pressure roller:
56mm
Transfer roller:
39mm
Magnetic roller:
34mm
PCR:
27mm
step >
step >
27
Lift up the drum cover sprint tail to fit as shown on the drum cover. Install the screw into the cover.
Set the hopper tension springs back in place.
step >
step >
step >
Place the drum/waste hopper into the toner hopper. Slide it over so the round hinge pins fit into their respective holes.
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30
Replace the chip.
Running test pages Test pages can just be simply copies of your standard copier test page
â–˛ Canon MF 4570 (128)
Mike Josiah Mike Josiah is the East Coast Technical Director at Uninet Imaging. A global distributor of toner, OPC drums, wiper blades and other supplies. An industry veteran since 1987, Mike is a member of ASTM committee F.05, the STMC Technician Certification Committee as well as an STMC trainer. He regularly contributes articles and teaches seminars at association meetings and trade shows.
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Market Data
Printers released by major brands in March 2012
Brands
Epson
Epson
Epson
Epson
Printer code
WorkForce Pro WP-4010
WorkForce Pro WP-4023
Pro 4025DW
WorkForce Pro WP-4090
Printer type
Color inkjet printer
Color inkjet printer
Color inkjet printer
Color inkjet printer
Country available in
USA
USA
Russia, UK
USA
Cartridge configuration
4 individual ink cartridges
4 individual ink cartridges
4 individual ink cartridges
4 individual ink cartridges
Color of cartridges
CMYK
CMYK
CMYK
CMYK
Number of cartridges
4
4
4
4
Cartridge code
676XL
676XL
T7031,T7032, T7033, T7034
676XL
Price of cartridges($)
Black: $38.49 CMY: $24.49
Black: $38.49 CMY: $24.49
Black: £21.28 CMY: £14.18 Inc VAT
Black: $38.49 CMY: $24.49
Price of printers($)
$199.99
$299.99
£219.99 Inc VAT
$399.99
Print resolution (dpi)(max)
4800x1200
4800x1200
4800x1200
4800x1200
Minimum ink droplet size
3pl
3pl
3pl
3pl
Page yield A4/PCS
K2400/CMY1200
K2400/CMY1200
Black:2,400 CMY: 2,000
K2400/CMY1200
Time to first page (s)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Print speed (ppm)
Black: 16 Color: 11
Black: 16 Color: 11
Black: 26 Color: 24
Black: 16 Color: 11
Monthly duty cycle (pages)
25,000
25,000
N/A
25,000
Media sizes supported (max)
A4
A4
A4
A4
Paper tray capacity (pages)
330
330
330
330
Duplex printing
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
WIFI Connectivity
N
Y
Y
N
Mobile printing capability
Y
Y
Y
Y
Notes
High yield cartridges: 711XXL with 3400 pages.
High yield cartridges: 711XXL with 3400 pages.
High yield cartridges: T7021 with 2400 pages, T7022,T7023, T7024 with 2000 pages.
High yield cartridges: 711XXL with 3400 pages.
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Recycling Times Magazine
Market Data
Epson
Epson
Epson
Epson
Canon
WorkForce Pro WP-4520
WorkForce Pro WP-4533
WorkForce Pro WP-4590
LP-M720F
i-SENSYS LBP6670dn
Color inkjet MFP
Color inkjet MFP
Color inkjet MFP
Color laser MFP
Mono laser printer
USA
USA
USA
Japan
UK,France,Germany,Italy, Russia,,UAE, South Africa,Saudi Arabia
4 individual ink cartridges
4 individual ink cartridges
4 individual ink cartridges
4 individual toner cartridges
All-in-one cartridge
CMYK
CMYK
CMYK
CMYK
K
4
4
4
4
1
676XL
676XL
676XL
LPC4T9
Cartridge 719
Black: $38.49 CMY: $24.49
Black: $38.49 CMY: $24.49
Black: $38.49 CMY: $24.49
Black: JP¥ 13,800, CMY: JP¥ 14,000
N/A
$299.99
$399.99
$499.99
JP¥ 99,980
£219/€249 Inc VAT
4800×1200
4800×1200
4800×1200
600×600
1200×1200
3pl
3pl
3pl
N/A
N/A
K2400/CMY1200
K2400/CMY1200
K2400/CMY1200
Black: 6300, Color: 6400
2100
N/A
N/A
Black: 14 Color: 17
Black: 7
Black: 16 Color: 11
Black: 16 Color: 11
Black: 16 Color: 11
Black: 24 Color: 24
Black: 33
25,000
25,000
25,000
80,000
50,000
A4
A4
A4
A4
A4
330
330
330
350
300
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
N/A
Automatic
N
Y
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
High yield cartridges: 711XXL with 3400 pages
Printer comes with starter cartridges with 2000 page yiels.Photoconductor units with 30,000 pages. Waste toner box with 9,000 color pages, 36,000 monochrome pages.
High yield cartridge 719 H (6,400 pages)
High yield cartridges: 711XXL with 3400 pages.
High yield cartridges: 711XXL with 3400 pages.
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Market Data
Printers released by major brands in March 2012
Brands
Canon
Canon
Canon
Canon
Printer code
i-SENSYS LBP6680x
i-SENSYS FAX-L150
i-SENSYS FAX-L170
PIXMA MX371
Printer type
Mono laser printer
Mono laser MFP
Mono laser MFP
Color laser MFP
Country available in
South Africa,Saudi Arabia, UK,France,Germany,Italy, Russia,UAE
UK,France,Germany,Italy, Russia,,UAE,Saudi Arabia
UK,France,Germany,Italy, ,Russia,UAE,Saudi Arabia
Brazil,Argentina
Cartridge configuration
All-in-One cartridge
All-in-One cartridge
All-in-One cartridge
1 color FINE ink cartridge and 1 black FINE ink cartridge
Color of cartridges
K
K
K
CMYK
Number of cartridges
1
1
1
2
Cartridge code
Cartridge 719
CRG728
CRG728
PG-140, CL-141
Price of cartridges($)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Price of printers($)
£299/€349 Inc VAT
£199/€229 Inc VAT
£219/€249 Inc VAT
N/A
Print resolution (dpi) (max)
1200×1200
1200×600
1200×600
4800×1200
Minimum ink droplet size
N/A
N/A
N/A
2pl
Page yield A4/PCS
2100
2100
2100
180
Time to first page (s)
Black: 7
Black: 7.8
Black: 7.8
N/A
Print speed (ppm)
Black: 33
Black: 18
Black: 18
Black:8.7 Color: 5
Monthly duty cycle (pages)
50,000
8,000
8,000
N/A
Media sizes supported (max)
A4
A4
A4
A4
Paper tray capacity (pages)
300
150
150
N/A
Duplex printing
Automatic
N/A
N/A
N/A
WIFI Connectivity
N
N
N
N
Mobile printing capability
N
N
N
N
Notes
High yield cartridge 719 H (6,400 pages)
30-page automatic document feeder
Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses.
30-page automatic document feeder
46
www.iRecyclingTimes.com | May 2012
Recycling Times Magazine
Market Data
Canon
Canon
Canon
Canon
Canon
PIXMA MX431
PIXMA MX714
PIXMA iP1188
PIXMA MX894
PIXMA MX895
Color inkjet MFP
Color inkjet MFP
Color inkjet
Color inkjet MFP
Color inkjet MFP
Brazil,Argentina
Russia,South Africa, UAE,Saudi Arabia
China
Europe, Russia,South Africa,UAE,Saudi Arabia
UK,France,Germany, Italy,South Africa
1 color FINE ink cartridge and 1 black cartridge
5 individual ink cartridges
FINE ink cartridge(1 color and 1 black)
5 individual ink cartridges
5 individual ink cartridges
CMYK
Photo black, CMYK
CMYK
Photo black, CMYK
Photo black, CMYK
2
5
2
5
5
PG-140, CL-141
PGI-425PGBK, CLI-426CMYK
Black:PG-835XL/ CMY:CL-836
PGI-425PGBK, CLI-426CMYK
PGI-525PGBK, CLI-526CMYK
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
CNY¥299
N/A
N/A
4800×1200
9600×2400
4800×1200
9600×2400
9600×2400
2pl
1pl
2pl
1pl
1pl
180
N/A
Black:298, CMY: 303
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Black:9.7 Color: 5.5
Black:12.5 Color: 9.3
Black:6.8 Color: 3.9
Black:12.5 Color: 9.3
Black: 12.5 Color: 9.3
N/A
Black: 339 (PGI-425PGBK), 2945 (CLI-426BK) Cyan: 530 Magenta: 486 Yellow: 425
1800 (yearly)
Black: 339 (PGI525PGBK), 2945 (CLI-526BK) Cyan: 530, Magenta: 486 Yellow: 525
Black: 339 (PGI-525PGBK), 2945 (CLI-526BK) Cyan: 530, Magenta: 486 Yellow: 525
A4
A4
A4
A4
A4
N/A
150
100
150
150
Automatic
Automatic
N/A
Automatic
Automatic
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Ideal for small businesses
Ink tank life: PGI-425PGBK 339 pages, CLI-426BK2945 pages CLI-426C 530 pages, CLI-426M 486 pages, CLI-426Y 425 pages
Optional cartridges: PG835 and CL-836. The printer only comes with PG-835XL black cartridge. Can print with black cartridge only.
Ink tank life: PGI-425PGBK 339 pages, CLI-426BK2945 pages CLI-426C 530 pages, CLI-426M 486 pages, CLI-426Y 425 pages
Ink tank life: PGI-425PGBK 339 pages, CLI-426BK2945 pages CLI-426C 530 pages, CLI-426M 486 pages, CLI-426Y 425 pages
May 2012 |
www.iRecyclingTimes.com
47