1. The definition of toner cartridge
It is usually assembled from the cover, the bottom, the rear button + pin, the powder pan, and the front button buckle.
2. The production process of the toner cartridge
The main production process includes injection molding and secondary processing. The injection molding process is divided into injection molding and two-color injection molding. The secondary processing process includes bronzing, printing, transfer printing, spraying, vacuum plating, hydroelectric laser engraving, etc.
3. Commonly used toner cartridge materials
At present, the powder box materials on the market are diverse. In addition to the commonly used plastic materials, some high-end brands are using plant fiber (wood or bamboo) and zamac alloy parts to upgrade the product level.
The most commonly used materials for plastic powder cartridges are ABS, SAN, PCTA, PMMA, PP, etc. ABS is used very much and is very suitable for parts that require coating process. SAN, PCTA, PMMA are mostly used for transparent parts, SAN can also be mixed with ABS, and PCTA is more suitable for powder cartridges that require high chemical resistance. The PP material is soft and can be used in a one-piece powder box or a powder box structure with sealing requirements.
4. The conventional standard of the toner cartridge
First–Box opening force standard:
The purpose is to determine the amount of force required to open a closed toner cartridge, so that customers do not feel that the lid is too loose or too tight during use.
Generally, the size of the box opening force is determined according to the size of the product and the method of opening the lid. The reference standards are as follows:
A. The hook/button/turnover standard is: 0.227 ~ 0.9kgf;
B. The standard of the magnet type is: 0.227 ~ 0.68kgf;
C. The standard of withdrawable type is: 0.68 ~ 2.13kgf.
Second–Part separation force:
The purpose is to determine the amount of force required to separate one component from another, so as to ensure that the component does not separate during normal use.
The general standard for component separation force is >4.5kgf. If it is not easy to measure, we can take a drop test to confirm.
Third–Drop test:
The purpose is to ensure that the toner cartridge will not be damaged or lose its function when it is dropped.
The general drop test is to drop the powder box to be tested from a height of 1m onto the concrete floor or steel plate. Check whether the toner cartridge is broken and the lens is intact. If you use brittle materials such as AS/PMMA, you can easily find the problem by using the drop test.
Fourth– Back button strength test:
The purpose is to prevent the rear button from breaking during the continuous warranty, and the general strength standard of the rear button is >1.8kgf.
Reference standard: opening angle ≥180°, >1.8kgf; opening angle ≤180°, >2.7kgf. (for reference)
Fifth–Decoration adhesion:
The purpose is to ensure that the decoration does not fall off during normal use.
Tape test is usually used. Test tapes include 3M600, 3M810, 3M616, NICHIBAN, etc., only tape test for bronzing or printing, coating products (plating, overcoat, etc.) need to be cross-cut tape test.
Sixth–Light aging standards:
The purpose is to prevent the product from changing color when exposed to sunlight or placed in a showcase.
The reference test program is a light aging tester, usually after 24 hours of testing, the product color does not change significantly, that is, it is qualified.
Seventh– Bottom cover clearance and misalignment standards:
The general standard is ≤0.3mm, and there will be different standards for different sizes of toner cartridges.
Guideline:
A. The powder box with the distance between the rear button nail and the front button hook ≤ 76.2mm: gap and misalignment ≤ 0.25mm;
B. The powder box with the distance between the rear button nail and the front button hook> 76.2mm: gap and misalignment ≤ 0.38mm.
Eighth–Dimension control:
The size of the toner cartridge is the shape, width and height of the toner tray, and the hole size of the toner cartridge. The tolerance of length, width and height is generally +/-0.5mm. The size tolerance of the disc hole is generally +/-0.13mm.