By Rafael Nunez
Cleaning a laser printer, fax, or copier of laser toner can be easy, provided you know what you're doing and use the right tools. This article will share with you some simple tips to help you clean your laser printers of laser toner like a pro.
A word to the wise: Before I begin, I'd like to stress that this article is intended only to assist you with basic cleaning of the laser toner from your laser printer. If you're unsure of your ability to perform any sort of printer maintenance, or if performing such maintenance will void the printer's warranty, you should contact a qualified service professional.
Some safety issues: Though laser printers come in various shapes and sizes, they all use laser toner (that messy black powder). While cleaning your laser printer, the last thing you want is to have laser toner in your lungs or on your skin. The tips provided in this article should help reduce the chance of you being bathed in laser toner while cleaning your printer.
Laser toner particles are so fine that they can take more than fifteen minutes to settle if they become airborne make that hours if you have fans or air- conditioners circulating them through an office. To avoid inhaling laser toner particles, try to keep the air in the cleaning area stable and leave the printer area for several minutes after cleaning. When you return, move slowly, open all windows, and begin vacuuming any laser toner from the floor, tabletops, and so forth.
Another dangerous area common to all laser printers is the fuser-roller compartment. The fuser roller gets extremely hot during the printing process and is usually covered for safety. Burns can occur, however, if you accidentally uncover and touch the roller. I recommend that you leave your printer off for at least one hour before cleaning it of laser toner.
As with all electrical equipment, make sure that the power cable is unplugged before you begin any work.
Here are the basic tools you need to clean the laser toner from the laser printer:
-Vacuum
-Compressed can of air
-Wash cloth
-Mask
-Cotton Swabs
-Isopropyl Alcohol (99 percent pure)
-Paint Brush (soft bristle, about a half-inch wide)
-Latex gloves (optional)
Compressed air:
You can buy this in any department store or office supply store. Ranges in price from $3.00 to $10.00 per 10 oz. bottle. Use adequate ventilation please.
Mask:
You'll want to prevent laser toner particles from entering your throat and lungs. While laser toner inhalation has not been proven to cause serious health problems, respiratory tract irritation can occur with exposure to large amounts of laser toner dust. Laser toner can also contain potentially hazardous compounds, such as styrene, ethyl benzene, and xylene isomers. Use a mask that filters both odors and fine particles, such as the ones used for painting and sanding. You can usually find these at local hardware stores.
Cotton swabs:
You can use the regular cotton swabs found in your local drugstore or those made especially for cleaning printers. The printer swabs come with six-inch-long sticks.
Isopropyl alcohol:
Do not use regular rubbing alcohol. Either use chemicals that are specifically designed to clean the heads of VCRs, cassette tapes, tape drives, and the like or use 99 percent pure isopropyl alcohol, which evaporates without leaving any residue.
Paint brush (soft bristle, about a half-inch wide): This is used to brush out toner from tight crevices. Since bristles may fall out during the cleaning process, pull out any loose ones before you use the brush. I don't recommend using toothbrushes.
Latex gloves (optional):
These must fit tightly on your hands since you want to maintain skin sensitivity. Drugstores usually sell them in boxes of 100. This is to keep your hands clean but if you don't have them you can just wash up with soap and water afterwards.
Okay, let's begin cleaning that laser printer of the laser toner. Now that you have the tools, it's time to unplug the laser printer, let it sit for one hour, and then follow the steps below:
1. Put on your mask and latex gloves if you have them.
2. Open the printer and gently remove the laser toner cartridge or laser toner bottle.
3. Use your wash cloth and wipe the laser toner cartridge. Place the laser toner cartridge aside.
4. Use your vacuum to remove spilled laser toner from within the printer's internal compartment. Try to prevent the vacuum's nozzle from actually touching any of the printer's internal surfaces.
5. Use your paintbrush to remove laser toner from any crevices. Use gentle motions and vacuum as necessary.
6. Many laser printers use very fine wires (called 'corona wires') that are often exposed. If your printer has such wires, take care to avoid vacuuming or brushing them. Breaking a corona wire can be a costly mistake. Dip a cotton swab into isopropyl alcohol and gently run it along the length of the wire. Also be sure to clean the underside of the wires. Never apply pressure.
7.Reinsert the laser toner cartridge, close the printer, reconnect the power cord, and you are done.
Avoid using the wash cloth inside the printer. Though you can use the wash cloth to clean the inside, I do not recommend it. There are many sharp points that can tear the cloth's fiber and leave loose strands inside the printer.
OEM vs. Remanufactured Laser Toner Cartridges Although many people buy OEM Name Brand laser toner cartridges, little do they know, they really are remanufactured! Can you believe it? Seriously folks, why spend many more dollars on OEM's when you can get THE SAME quality laser toner cartridges for half or less than half the price? When you buy an OEM laser toner cartridge, just look at the box! It says "Made of new and recycled materials". The OEM companies want you to send your laser toner cartridge back to them , so they can remanufacture it , and sell it back to you as new! Buying remanufactured laser toner cartridges saves the environment. Millions of laser toner cartridges get dumped in landfills every year. So, please, save the environment,and save your money!
Happy Cleaning!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Choosing the Right Printer Ink
By Jeff Lakie
In today's technology age, most homes or offices have computers with printers. With regular use, printer ink may begin to dwindle. You'll notice that your printouts begin to look faded or splotchy. Supplies like paper and printer ink need to be replaced regularly. It is important to know which type of printer ink is needed for your machine before you buy replacement cartridges. Check your printer manual for model numbers that are compatible with your machine.
Printer ink cartridges can be purchased online or in office supply stores. If you look at the wide selection, however, you may become overwhelmed with the variety available! It is important to note that printer ink is not interchangeable; certain types fit certain printers, and you need to check serial numbers before making your purchase. Do you have an inkjet, dot matrix, or laser printer? These all require different types of printer ink. Once a package is opened, the seller may or may not accept it for return, so be certain you've purchased the right type before opening the package.
Some machines require only one printer ink cartridge that will print both black-and-white and color. Others, such as photo printers, require several types of printer ink, one for each color in the spectrum. These cartridges tend to add up more quickly, though you may not need to replace every color at once. Only replace what you need to, and you'll save yourself a headache.
Many types of printer ink are available in both brand name and generic versions. Generic printer ink tends to be cheaper and can be a good buy as long as you're sure you've selected the right model. It may be wise to stock up on printer ink while it's on sale; that way you'll have it on hand when you begin to run out.
When installing your printer ink cartridges, make sure you follow the directions carefully. It may help to examine the placement of the old cartridge before you remove it from the machine, so that you can replace it correctly with the new printer ink. It is not advisable to shake printer ink cartridges, as the ink may splatter.
With correct installation, a printer ink cartridge should work properly from the first printout. Check your manual, as you may need to realign your printer after cartridge installation.
In today's technology age, most homes or offices have computers with printers. With regular use, printer ink may begin to dwindle. You'll notice that your printouts begin to look faded or splotchy. Supplies like paper and printer ink need to be replaced regularly. It is important to know which type of printer ink is needed for your machine before you buy replacement cartridges. Check your printer manual for model numbers that are compatible with your machine.
Printer ink cartridges can be purchased online or in office supply stores. If you look at the wide selection, however, you may become overwhelmed with the variety available! It is important to note that printer ink is not interchangeable; certain types fit certain printers, and you need to check serial numbers before making your purchase. Do you have an inkjet, dot matrix, or laser printer? These all require different types of printer ink. Once a package is opened, the seller may or may not accept it for return, so be certain you've purchased the right type before opening the package.
Some machines require only one printer ink cartridge that will print both black-and-white and color. Others, such as photo printers, require several types of printer ink, one for each color in the spectrum. These cartridges tend to add up more quickly, though you may not need to replace every color at once. Only replace what you need to, and you'll save yourself a headache.
Many types of printer ink are available in both brand name and generic versions. Generic printer ink tends to be cheaper and can be a good buy as long as you're sure you've selected the right model. It may be wise to stock up on printer ink while it's on sale; that way you'll have it on hand when you begin to run out.
When installing your printer ink cartridges, make sure you follow the directions carefully. It may help to examine the placement of the old cartridge before you remove it from the machine, so that you can replace it correctly with the new printer ink. It is not advisable to shake printer ink cartridges, as the ink may splatter.
With correct installation, a printer ink cartridge should work properly from the first printout. Check your manual, as you may need to realign your printer after cartridge installation.
Inkjet Printer Tips to Select Proper Printer
By Krishna Pai
If you are tight on budget, go for Inkjet Printer. Inkjet Printers are more economical compared to Laser Printers. You have wide choice of Inkjet Printers. There are varieties of Inkjet Printers available in the market to select from. You can select your own printer based on the kind of print quality you require.
If you are graphic designer and have more concern with quality of images and graphics, you must go for Inkjet Printer. It gives excellent quality of images and graphics. If you need better text printouts then go for Laser Printers. It is essential to confirm your requirements before buying your Inkjet Printer. Check out these important tips before you buy Inkjet Printer.
Things to check before buying Inkjet Printers
* Speed is the main criteria to be checked before buying any printer. Always check the speed in normal mode as speed rated by manufacturer is always tested on fastest print mode.
* Buffer Memory plays important role while you share the printer over the network. For networked printer it is always recommended to go for higher buffer memory.
* Computers nowadays mostly have USB ports therefore buy a printer with a USB interface to get higher speed of data transfer.
* Never overlook total cost of ownership. Depending on pages you print, even a small difference in ownership cost will save your sizeable amount over the lifetime.
* Ensure to get required quality of photo printouts if you are buying the printer for photo printouts. If needed you have to also purchase an extra ink cartridge, as photo printouts need more ink.
* Check compatibility of printer with software.
* You must check the manufacturer's Web site for the type of support offered. Check whether they offer regular software updates, patches for new operating systems.
* Check the dimensions of printer so that it will comfortably fit on your desk.
* You must place the cartridges in the right packaging. Use factory-supplied containers to store extra cartridges. If you use both color and black ink frequently, store the swapped-out cartridge in zip-lock bag.
* Never use the switch on a surge protector to switch off your printer instead of that use your printer's power switch.
* Paper jam is the common problem with printers. To avoid it clean the rollers and the internal mechanism with mild alcohol. Place the paper carefully in the tray to avoid paper jam.
* Before placing the paper stack in the tray confirm that you have to loosen the paper stack to separate them from each other to avoid paper jams.
* Use a mild glass cleaner on a soft cloth to clean exterior side of the printer.
* The quality of printouts depends upon the quality of paper you use. The standard A4 size paper is most ideal for inkjet printers. The poor quality paper absorb the ink resulting in smudge images. To get the best possible images refer your printer manufacturer recommendations. Also while printing photos, use manufacturer-recommended photo paper for better results.
* Use nozzle cleaning function to restore the original print quality. As printer become older it will deliver faint prints and you will see lines running across the page. A nozzle cleaning function blows ink through the nozzle and unclogs it.
* Don't be a penny-wise and pound-foolish. Always use an original ink cartridge. Temptation of using cheap refilled cartridges will prove expensive in long run.
* Avoid shaking the ink cartridge as this can create bubbles in the cartridge that can shut down the printer.
* Call an authorized service person if you find ink leakage. Never open the printer on your own.
Krishna Pai is a webmaster and a writer.
If you are tight on budget, go for Inkjet Printer. Inkjet Printers are more economical compared to Laser Printers. You have wide choice of Inkjet Printers. There are varieties of Inkjet Printers available in the market to select from. You can select your own printer based on the kind of print quality you require.
If you are graphic designer and have more concern with quality of images and graphics, you must go for Inkjet Printer. It gives excellent quality of images and graphics. If you need better text printouts then go for Laser Printers. It is essential to confirm your requirements before buying your Inkjet Printer. Check out these important tips before you buy Inkjet Printer.
Things to check before buying Inkjet Printers
* Speed is the main criteria to be checked before buying any printer. Always check the speed in normal mode as speed rated by manufacturer is always tested on fastest print mode.
* Buffer Memory plays important role while you share the printer over the network. For networked printer it is always recommended to go for higher buffer memory.
* Computers nowadays mostly have USB ports therefore buy a printer with a USB interface to get higher speed of data transfer.
* Never overlook total cost of ownership. Depending on pages you print, even a small difference in ownership cost will save your sizeable amount over the lifetime.
* Ensure to get required quality of photo printouts if you are buying the printer for photo printouts. If needed you have to also purchase an extra ink cartridge, as photo printouts need more ink.
* Check compatibility of printer with software.
* You must check the manufacturer's Web site for the type of support offered. Check whether they offer regular software updates, patches for new operating systems.
* Check the dimensions of printer so that it will comfortably fit on your desk.
* You must place the cartridges in the right packaging. Use factory-supplied containers to store extra cartridges. If you use both color and black ink frequently, store the swapped-out cartridge in zip-lock bag.
* Never use the switch on a surge protector to switch off your printer instead of that use your printer's power switch.
* Paper jam is the common problem with printers. To avoid it clean the rollers and the internal mechanism with mild alcohol. Place the paper carefully in the tray to avoid paper jam.
* Before placing the paper stack in the tray confirm that you have to loosen the paper stack to separate them from each other to avoid paper jams.
* Use a mild glass cleaner on a soft cloth to clean exterior side of the printer.
* The quality of printouts depends upon the quality of paper you use. The standard A4 size paper is most ideal for inkjet printers. The poor quality paper absorb the ink resulting in smudge images. To get the best possible images refer your printer manufacturer recommendations. Also while printing photos, use manufacturer-recommended photo paper for better results.
* Use nozzle cleaning function to restore the original print quality. As printer become older it will deliver faint prints and you will see lines running across the page. A nozzle cleaning function blows ink through the nozzle and unclogs it.
* Don't be a penny-wise and pound-foolish. Always use an original ink cartridge. Temptation of using cheap refilled cartridges will prove expensive in long run.
* Avoid shaking the ink cartridge as this can create bubbles in the cartridge that can shut down the printer.
* Call an authorized service person if you find ink leakage. Never open the printer on your own.
Krishna Pai is a webmaster and a writer.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Brother HL-2040 2400 x 600 dpi
The HL-2040 is a fast, compact and affordable monochrome laser printer. Ideal for personal use, it features a print speed of up to 20 ppm, HQ1200 resolution technology, and 8 MB of standard memory. The HL-2040's small footprint can fit almost anywhere, even in the most crowded workspace. In addition, its stylish design and two-tone color scheme complements many of today's computer systems.
Convenient Manual-Feed Slot
The HL-2040 also features a 250-sheet paper capacity with single-sheet manual feed slot. This convenient manual feed slot makes it easier to print envelopes, letterhead and other media one at a time, without changing the paper in the lower tray. With its fast print speed, compact size, and outstanding print quality, the HL-2040 is an excellent choice for affordable, personal monochrome laser printing.
| Specifications | ||
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 Print Method | Laser | |
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| Resolution | Up to 2400 x 600 DPI | |
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| Maximum Duty Cycle | 10,000 Pages Per Month | |
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| Print Speed | Up to 20 PPM (Black) | |
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| Connectivity | IEEE 1284 USB 2.0 | |
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| Optional Connectivity | External 802.11b Wireless Network Server 10/100 BaseT External Ethernet Print Server | |
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| Standard Paper Input | 250 Sheets | |
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| Standard Paper Output | 100-Sheets Face Down | |
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| Paper Sizes Supported | 8" x 10" Enveolpes B6 A4 A5 A6 B5 C5 COM 10 DL Executive Legal Letter | |
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Features
Printers that deliver outstanding print quality
The HL-2040 is ideal for anyone who needs to produce high-quality output. With HQ1200 print resolution (up to 2,400 x 600 dpi), the printer can deliver the crisp text and graphics to produce professional looking letters, reports, spreadsheets, and other important documents. The HL-2040 will ensure that your work always looks its best.
Paper handling flexibility
The HL-2040 can handle a wide variety of media. It features 250-sheet paper capacity and a single-sheet manual feed slot. The manual feed slot accommodates letterhead, envelopes, or other media up to 43 lbs.
Toner Save Mode
To help you save money and toner when printing a variety of text-based documents, the HL-2040 allows you to choose a Toner Save Mode. Most text-only documents can be printed using Toner Save Mode with minimal impact to print quality. For documents that include graphics or a combination of text and graphics, the printer's default mode (Toner Save Mode "off") is recommended for the best quality output.
Advanced features that go beyond your expectations
The HL-2040 printer offers many advanced features that will exceed your expectations and reaffirm its value. These include:
- Watermark Printing
- Poster Printing
- Booklet Printing
- N-Up Printing
- Toner Save Mode
- Manual Duplex
Extensive user support
The HL-2040 printer features a variety of innovative and useful support tools. A user-friendly driver installation routine auto-detects your operating system as well as any installed options. Animated tutorials answer common maintenance and support questions. This highly visual system provides direct, step-by-step help.
Service and support are part of the package
Your technology investment is backed by our dedication to comprehensive service and support. We provide toll-free technical support, a one-year limited warranty, and the online Brother Solutions Center, all backed by our nationwide network of authorized customer-care centers.
The HL-2040 is Windows and Mac compatible and comes with a complete set of drivers for both platforms. The printer also offers USB 2.0 full speed and parallel interfaces for greater flexibility (cables not included).
Brother HL-5050LT
igh-Quality Personal Graphics Laser Printer!
17ppm, 16MB memory, 2400 x 600 dpi!
The HL-5050 is an expandable personal printer featuring a fast print speed of up to 17ppm, 16MB of standard memory, PCL®6 and BR-Script3 (PostScript3) emulations, and up to 2400x600dpi print quality. The HL-5050 also boasts a 300-sheet paper capacity, 250-sheet paper tray and a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray. With its PC and Mac® compatibility and long list of standard features, the HL-5050 is your best choice for high-quality personal graphics laser printing. Our incomparable pricing plus Brother's legendary quality make this one of the best deals anywhere for a high-performance laser printer!
Specifications
- 2400 x 600dpi print resolution
- Print up to 17 black pages per minute
- 16 MB of standard memory (upgradeable to 144MB)
- 300-sheet input capacity
- Windows® and Mac® compatible
- USB 2.0 and parallel cable connectivity
Features
- Easy to use control panel with convenient job cancel button
- 66 scalable fonts, 12 bitmap and 11 bar codes (PCL); 66 scalable fonts (BR-Script 31)
- Manual duplex, N-Up, Poster and Watermark print modes
- Toner and Power Save Modes
- Flash-based animated help system
- Brother Solutions Center (requires Internet access)
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Environmentally friendly and Energy Star compliant
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300-sheet paper capacity
- 250-sheet paper tray
- 50-sheet fold-down multi-purpose tray for
card stock, letterhead & envelopes -
Flexible Expansion Options
10/100 BaseT External Ethernet Print Server (NC-2100p)
250-sheet lower paper tray (LT-5000)
Additional Specifications
- Print Technology
Electrophotographic laser
- Speed
Up to 17 pages per minute
- Resolution
300x300dpi
600x600dpi
HQ1200 (2400x600dpi)
- Processor
133 MHz Fujitsu SPARClite
- Standard Memory 16MB
- Maximum Memory
Upgradeable to 144MB using 100-pin DIMM
- Printer Emulations
Automatic emulation switching, PCL®6 and BR-Script3 (PostScript3), Epson FX, IBM Proprinter XL emulations
- Resident Fonts
PCL: 66 scalable, 12 bitmap fonts, 11 bar codes
PS/3: 66 scalable fonts
- Interfaces
Automatic Interface Switching between: 1284 IEEE Parallel (ECP) and USB 2.0
- Consumables
TN-530, TN-560, DR-500 Note: Not MICR Printing Compatible
- Paper Input
250-sheet lower paper tray
50-sheet multi-purpose tray
- Paper Output
150 sheets face down
- Sheet Size
Cut Sheet: Letter, Legal, Executive, A4, A5, A6, B6 and Envelopes
- Special Media
Plain paper, bond, transparencies, labels, card stock
- Duplex
Manual duplex via software driver
- Sheet Weight
Standard tray: 16-28 lbs.
Bypass tray: 16-43 lbs. - Printer Drivers
Windows® 95/98/NT4.0/Me/2000/XP
Mac® USB driver (OS 8.6-9.2, OS X 10.1, 10.2.1 or greater)
BR-Script3(PostScript3)
- Power Requirements
100/120 VAC +/- 10% 50/60 Hz
- Power Consumption
Printing: < 460W
Standby: < 75W
Sleep: < 5W
- Temperature
Operating 50°F - 90.5°F
Non-operating 41°F - 95°F
Humidity 20%-80% (without condensation)
- Noise
Printing < 50dBA
Standby < 30dBA
- Dimensions
15.0"(W) x 15.8"(D) x 9.9"(H)
Weight 25.4 lbs.
System Requirements
Optional Networking Upgrade
- Interface
10/100 BaseT Ethernet is optional on the HL-5040 (NC-2100p)
- Multi-Protocol Support (NC-2100p)
- TCP/IP, RARP, BOOTP, DHCP, WINS, HTTP, LPR/LPD, PORT 9100, POP3, SMTP, TFTP, NetBIOS over TCP/IP, TELNET, SNMP, User defined port numbers, Proprietary MIB
-NetBEUI
- Network Management
Web browser capable, BRAdmin Professional utility (using TCP/IP), HP Jet admin capable, BRCONFIG, DOS utility, SNMP, MIB level II as well as Brother printer MIB, front control panel configuration including IP address, Web-BRAdmin (downloadable at http://solutions.brother.com, requires a dedicated IIS Server)
Samsung ML-2151N Monochrome 21ppm Laser Printer
Samsung ML-2151N Monochrome Laser Printer
The Samsung ML-2151N network-ready monochrome laser printer offers up to 21ppm, built-in auto-duplexing, 16MB memory, PCL 6, PostScript 3, and USB 2.0 & IEEE 1284 interfaces. It offers industry's highest standard paper input capacity at 600 sheets. The ML-2151N is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.
| Specifications | ||
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| Print Method | Laser | |
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| Resolution | Up to 1200 dpi | |
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| Maximum Duty Cycle | 35,000 Pages Per Month | |
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| Special Features | Buit in Duplexer | |
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| Print Speed | Up to 21 PPM | |
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| Connectivity | IEEE 1284 / 10/100Base-TX Parallel USB 2.0 | |
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| Standard Paper Input | 100-Sheet Multipurpose Tray 250 Sheets | |
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| Standard Paper Output | 250 Sheets | |
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| Duplex Printing | Built In | |
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Features
- Printing Speed: Up to 21ppm (10ppm Duplex)
- Resolution: Up to 1200x1200 dpi
- Processor: 166 MHz RISC
- Memory: 16MB (Standard), (144MB Max)
- Duty Cycle: 100,000 pgs/month
- Cartridge: Approx. 8,000 pages (@ 5% coverage)
- 500 Sheets (Tray), 100 Sheets (Bypass)
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