Compact Belt Roll Fusing Technology

In the printing market, the ability to support a diverse range of paper types, including paper with various basis weights, and the ability for high-speed printing with high image quality are in demand to an even greater extent than in the market for multifunction devices used in offices. Through new technology, FUJIFILM Business Innovation has succeeded in developing a more compact fusing unit for production color printers that maintains the conventional belt roll fusing unit's capabilities for supporting a diverse range of paper types and printing at high speeds with high image quality. Our product equipped with this new technology is able to print at the high speed of 100 sheets per minute^Note1 while also supporting weights of paper ranging from 52 to 350 g/m².

Our new compact belt roll fusing unit implements two heat rolls located inside the fusing belt. By using a fusing belt with a low heat capacity, the fusing belt can be heated using a minimal amount necessary for toner fusing. Also, because of the large area of contact between the heat rolls and the fusing belt, the belt can be efficiently and uniformly heated to a given temperature. Then, once toner fusing is completed, the two heat rolls replenish the heat that was lost through fusing to maintain a constant fusing belt temperature, thus achieving consistent fusing. This makes it possible to print continuously, even on heavy weight paper, without the fusing belt temperature falling, to deliver stable image quality.

Fig. 1: Compact belt roll fusing unit

Also, by implementing the newly developed fusing pad, the surface of the fusing belt where it comes into contact with the paper has become flat, allowing for a sufficient nip width in which the paper and fusing belt are in contact with each other. This puts a consistent amount of pressure on the paper, reducing the amount of stress that can cause the paper to deform, hence reducing the occurrence of blisters,^Note2which tend to occur on coated paper. The consistent pressure also minimizes the stress put on envelopes when they are transported, which reduces the occurrence of wrinkles in envelopes, allowing an even wider range of paper types to be used.

Fig. 2: An enlarged diagram of the area of contact between the paper and the fusing belt

• Note1 When transporting A4-sized paper with a basis weight of 300 g/m².
• Note2 A blister is an image defect that looks like a swelling on the surface of the image and is formed by a bubble of steam inside the paper when the paper is overheated.