New KYOCERA a-Si Photoreceptor Drum for Document Equipment Improves Durability, Reduces Internal Friction by 30 Percent

Core imaging component can print 1 million pages while reducing internal component wear, extending equipment operating life

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) introduced a new imaging component that is expected to set a new standard for durability in office document equipment, including laser printers and multifunctional products (MFPs) that use electrophotographic technology.

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LF Series a-Si photoreceptor drum (Photo: Business Wire)

Kyocera’s new LF Series amorphous silicon (a-Si) photoreceptor drum features a coefficient of friction 30 percent*1 lower than that of the company’s conventional a-Si drum, while upholding the conventional model’s status of offering the world’s longest operating life (approximately 1 million printed pages without drum replacement)*2. The new product is now available for shipment to equipment manufacturers worldwide.

Product Overview

        
      
      
        
          Product name
        
        
           
        
        
          LF Series a-Si photoreceptor drum
        
      
      
        
          Size
        
        
        
        
          

Diameter: 30-40mm;Length: 360mm

        
      
      
        
          Production facility
        
        
           
        
        
          

Shiga Yohkaichi Plant (Japan)

In a key enhancement to the MS Series a-Si photoreceptor drum that Kyocera launched in 2011, the new LF Series incorporates a proprietary coating with submicron-scale variations in surface topography — including microasperities measuring approximately 1×10-4 mm. This unique surface treatment serves to reduce friction with peripheral components that contact the drum by approximately 30 percent. Consequently, by reducing internal friction, the new a-Si drum contributes to extending the operating life of the printing equipment as a total system, while retaining the world’s longest drum lifespan of approximately 1 million pages.

Kyocera has promoted environment-friendly document equipment through its long-life a-Si photoreceptor technology since 1984. The company hopes that the longer equipment life made possible by its newly developed LF Series print drum will reduce environmental impact even further.

Development Background

Many types of printers on the market today utilize disposable imaging components. In contrast, since the launch of Kyocera’s first a-Si photoreceptor drum in 1984, the company has used its proprietary technology to continuously develop the photoreceptor drum into a durable device with a lifespan equivalent to the mechanical life of the printer itself.

Enhancing the lifespan of electrophotographic printing equipment requires not only a more durable photoreceptor drum, but also more long-lasting internal components. Reducing the friction of the photoreceptor drum surface is therefore essential, since this surface forms a contact interface with numerous other internal components that are all subjected to increasingly faster print speeds.

Kyocera developed the world’s first*3 a-Si photoreceptor drum with submicron-sized asperities by combining its proprietary thin-film forming expertise utilizing DC electricity with its surface-processing technology.

*1) Compared to Kyocera’s conventional a-Si drum with similar functions.*2) World’s longest operating life among conventional a-Si drums with similar functions, based on research by Kyocera as of January 18, 2017.*3) World’s first a-Si photoreceptor drum with submicron-sized asperities for electrophotographic printing, based on research by Kyocera as of January 18, 2017.

For more info and images, please visit:http://global.kyocera.com/news/2017/0308_mblf.html

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of electronic components, printers, copiers, solar power generating systems, mobile phones, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2016, the company’s net sales totaled 1.48 trillion yen (approx. USD13.1 billion). Kyocera appears on the Clarivate Analytics list of the “Top 100 Global Innovators” and is ranked #531 on Forbes magazine’s 2016 “Global 2000” listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.

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KYOCERA Corporation (Japan)Natsuki Doi, [phone]Corporate [e-mail]: [phone]