Image Formation Process

Purpose:  Here, you will study the principles used to form toner images on print paper.

1. Outline

The machine’s image formation process can broadly be divided into 7 steps.

The following is a diagram of the machine’s image formation process with a brief description of each step:

Step		Description
1	Pre-exposure	removes residual charges from the photosensitive drum.
2	Primary charging	charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform negative potential.
3	Laser exposure	forms a static image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.
4	Development	Turns a static image on the surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner (visible) image.
5	Transfer	moves the toner image from the surface of the photosensitive drum to paper.
6	Separation	separates paper from the photosensitive drum.
7	Drum cleaning	removes residual toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum.