Recharger.com

HP4000 PhotoPrecise™ Technology from SCC Delivers 1200 dpi Performance

April 1, 1998 - page(s): 206

Sanford, N.C. — Static Control Components Imaging Division has announced the release of PhotoPrecise™ imaging technology components for the HP4000, enabling the remanufacturer to deliver photo-capable cartridge performance that meets the requirements set by Hewlett-Packard's introduction of the HP 4000 printer.

The HP4000 PhotoPrecise toner, drum and magnetic developer roller have been developed as a closely calibrated set to control and maintain image quality and resolution capability throughout the full cartridge cycle. The PhotoPrecise system is capable of delivering comparable print quality to the OEM even in true 1200 dpi ProRes resolution mode. Print test targets designed to measure resolution performance and photographic grayscale accuracy demonstrate that Static Control's PhotoPrecise imaging technology is virtually indistinguishable from OEM output. PhotoPrecise toner is completely compatible with the Instant-On fuser in the HP4000 and has been tested to ensure that toner buildup on the lower pressure does not occur. Toners that are not compatible with this fuser can create print defects within 30,000 pages of operation.

Millions of 1200 dpi LaserJets Drive New Standards

The HP4000 is the first of a future generation of new Canon/HP printers that will drive a new level of image quality standards in the corporate office environment. The HP4000 offers outstanding photographic reproduction print quality in both the FastRes and ProRes settings. HP has launched a major marketing program to sell the printer and equally important, sell the print quality. HP's UltraPrecise cartridge technology marketing is a long-term strategy that remanufacturers will be competing against for years. It's a near certainty that HP's future business in laser printers will be 1200 dpi capable and feature an UltraPrecise branded toner cartridge. This strategy is partially confirmed by the release of the HP5000 in March with exactly those features. The impact of millions of new 1200 dpi capable LaserJets^® in all sizes and types of businesses will further drive the increasing use of photographs in monochrome business documents. Static Control's PhotoPrecise technology offers you an immediate solution to satisfy these escalating image quality demands from your customers.

HP4000 Development Project PhotoPrecise technology is the product of an intense five-month development program by Static Control's Imaging Technology Labs and select vendor partners. Dr. John Wyhof, Imaging Technology Director, explains the objectives of the HP4000 project. "We target to deliver a technology package that comes as close as possible to OEM performance levels while offering the maximum reliability. Developing a photo-capable imaging system that could compete with the OEM product required new drum technology and a completely new toner formulation. Also, the durability and light print problems we experienced with OEM mag rollers in development testing has led us to immediately make a replacement mag roller."

The PhotoPrecise OPC features advanced chemistry and electrical properties to offer comparable resolution as the OEM drum. The PhotoPrecise toner has been formulated to achieve fuser compatibility, maximum grayscale levels and OEM-equivalent page yield. The new, replacement mag roller has been surface-texture matched to the PhotoPrecise toner to control yield and grayscale print performance. Additional supporting components for the PhotoPrecise Imaging System include wiper blade, doctor blade and PCR. Verification testing of the performance and reliability of these products has passed one million pages to date.

More than 30 products for the HP4000 including the PhotoPrecise imaging system are scheduled for release in April. Also, the first edition of the HP4000 cartridge reference manual is now available both in print and on the SCC web site.

For more information, contact Static Control Components in the U.S. call (800) 488-2426 or (919) 774-3808. The European corporate offices can be reached at +44 (0) 118 935 1888. The Belgian sales office number is + (00) 32 8 172 1700. The company web site is at www.scc-inc.com.