The TeamClockwise from Left - Rachel Chrash (EE), Min-Shi Hsiao (EE), David Schwartz (Team Lead - IE), Andrew Kearns (EE), Sasha Oliver (CE), Ruth Gay (ME), Dan Summers (ME) and Phil Lopez (ME).

Special thanks to:Bill Nowak – Consultant, XeroxGreg Miller – Consultant, KodakJohn Wellin – Consultant and Parts, Mechanical EngineeringDr. Jon Arney – Consultant, Center for Imaging ScienceDr. Susan Farnand – Consultant, Center for Imaging ScienceJohn Bonzo – Parts, Brinkman Laboratory

Electrophotographic Development and Transfer Station P09503

Project ObjectiveThe purpose of project P09503 is to make an existing Electrophotographic Development and Transfer Station functional and to improve the usability, safety and sensing abilities. Electrophotography (EP), seen below, is the base technology used in most modern day copiers and printers. The functional station will be used for research in the RIT PRISM Laboratory.

Paper Delivery SystemThe existing system required

manually catching the paper after application of toner from the transfer

drum. Risks of this operation include marred image quality due to

poor handing as well as high voltage and pinch point hazards at

the pneumatically operated transfer drum. The solution was to create a system to catch the paper without

user intervention.

Electrostatic Voltage Measurement SystemMonitoring the potential on the photoconductor after charging and exposure will help to understand the dark decay and charge uniformity of the photoconductor. Mounts were machined in order to hold the electrostatic probes within range of reading the potential of the photoconductor. The probe was connected to the LabView interface to centralize process data.

LED Exposure System

An LED array replaced the current incandescent

projector bulb to expose the photoconductive material.

The advantages an LED array is decreased power

consumption, longer system lifetime, minimal potential to overheat, and inexpensive

to replace if needed. The LEDs would also prove to be a more reliable and versatile

light source.

Electrophotographic Process Control and AutomationCritical to system functionality, all devices were connected to a PC via a Data Acquisition Device and controlled by LabView. LabView was then programmed to automate the electrophotographic process. LabView provides the user the option for full automation or manual operation for advanced users.

Photoconductor Imaging SystemImaging the photoconductor following application of toner will increase the flexibility of the user to monitor and understand the electrophotographic process in conjunction with the electrostatic voltage measurements. A mount was machined to hold a Nikon DLR camera. The camera is controlled and images are viewable via LabView.

ISO Compliant Safety Signs

The electrophotographic process requires extremely

high voltages and quick translational movements to transfer electric charge and

toner to a substrate. The implementation of higher

visibility warnings signs will alert system users to hazards

such as high voltage and pinch points. The improved visibility

warning signs will be compliant with the ISO and will

encompass the type of hazard along with safety information in

word and symbolic form.

LED System

LED Array Uniformity

EP Process

Electrostatic Probe Mount User Interface and Camera Mount Paper Delivery System