8/8/2019 Longbow Robot Rack Testing II

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Longbow Robot Rack Testing - Round 2

Objective:

Run 24 fusers to life in Cebu to compare performance between RTP and Polyplastics materialendcaps. Multiple belts will also be tested, including parts from Onyx, Mako and KB Rollertech.The extension springs will also be removed from half of the fusers to investigate any effects itmay have and collect more data on this possible cost reduction. The main objectives are toobserve belt wear and endcap damage.

The change in belt length and examination under the microscope of the belt end conditions after220K simulated pages will be the main responses. Also take pictures of any belt wear build up onthe endcaps. Observe the endcaps under the microscope at end of life and note any worn areas.The fusers should also be checked for print defects as well as torque before and after the robotrack testing.

SetupProduction level Zephyr fusers rebuilt with:

70 mg S-200 oilHeaters with Kapton tape oil retention features (ORF's) on heatersSpecified endcaps and beltsThe extension springs shown below will be removed from half of the fusers to collect more dataon this possible cost reduction

Run fusers on a robot rack up to 220K simulated pages.Run 5 pages through each fuser every 40K simulated pages to prevent belt slipping from oilbuildup.

Fuser Endcap_Material Extension_Spring Belt

1 RTP No_Spring Onyx

2 RTP No_Spring Onyx

3 Polyplastics Spring Onyx

4 Polyplastics Spring KBR

5 Polyplastics Spring Onyx

6 Polyplastics No_Spring Onyx

7 RTP No_Spring Mako

8 RTP No_Spring KBR

9 Polyplastics No_Spring Mako

10 RTP No_Spring KBR

11 Polyplastics Spring Mako

12 RTP Spring KBR

13 RTP Spring Mako

14 Polyplastics Spring Mako

15 Polyplastics No_Spring KBR

16 Polyplastics Spring KBR

17 RTP Spring Mako

18 RTP No_Spring Mako

19 RTP Spring KBR

20 Polyplastics No_Spring Mako

21 Polyplastics No_Spring KBR

22 RTP Spring Onyx

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23 RTP Spring Onyx

24 Polyplastics No_Spring Onyx

Data;

Please see other attached file for testing data and pictures. (Test Date.xls)

Observations:Torque. Torque was measured by coupling at the gears and not directly at the BUR. Torque dataare peak measurement gathered during start of run, however torque readings go down whenfuser has already heated. Before rack testing the torque settles at around 20-30 oz-in and afterlife at around 40-45 oz-in.Belt tracking direction. During inspection, most of the fusers are tracking on the gear side. Onlythree fusers were observed to be tracking at the AC side.Belt Length. After running the fusers to 220K simulated pages, belt change is not that big, themaximum change is 1.08mm. Belts with the highest length change are both on mako endcaps.Belt ends looks fine on visual inspection and with the use of microscope. Fuser 13 has belt tearbut it still made to life and print samples of it is fine. I also checked the endcaps in the microscope

and it seems ok.Print Sample. Print samples were gathered before and after the rack run. Visual check up of theprint pages is ok. Pinhole defect is observed on some print samples. 6 fusers were observed tohave pinholes.Oil Retention Features. All fusers were placed with Kapton tape as oil retention feature. Howeverthree tapes fall off. By inspection, not that much trace of oil leakage is observed however we donthave data or pictures of oil leak to compare to. But because it is a bump, It also cause wear onthe belt and collection of polyimide residue is found in the tapes.Endcaps. Inspection was done on a microscope and also basing the performance on the wear ofthe belts. There are some surface change in smoothness, caused by the contact with the belt butnot that big that could affect belt wear or damage.

ConclusionsAll belts were able to last until 2x life in the robot rack. Its difficult to rank which belt performs

better. Change in length is not that big and print quality is ok.The same thing goes with the endcaps. Both endcaps performed fine using belt wear and changein length as basis for determining there performance. Based from this testing. Both endcaps areok. Other factors could be the basis for choosing which endcap to use.