HP 4100 Fuser Defect?

[engleb]

Our office has a networked 4100TN that is between 2 and 3 years old. A few months after we got it began printing a streak down the page. After living with the problem for several months, I diagnosed a fuser issue and replaced it. (I still have the old fuser with the damaged film.) After a several good months the exact same problem began again. Unfortunately, I again waited before attempting to figure it out. I recently discovered HP Support Document number BPL11829, which describes the problem perfectly (even shows an example) and identifies it as possibly being being caused by printing large quantities of envelopes. The line appears exactly at the top edge of where the envelope runs through the fuser. We print 50 or more envelopes a day (law office). I called HP support and after 1 1/2 hours of discussion was told that the problem was either caused by printing envelopes, plugging the printiner into a surge protector, or improperly clearing paper jams. I was further told that I would have to buy a new fuser, and repeat this purchase every few months if the problem continues to appear. They said that I waited too long to report it so basically, "tough luck."

My questions are: Has anyone else had this problem? Shouldn't a printer be able to print that many envelopes? Shouldn't HP do something about it besides telling me to get lost? Are there other laser printers I should avoid if I decide to get rid of this one, considering the amount of envelopes we print?

Thanks for any suggestions/advice/comments.

 

[Sweg]

Hi!

There is no doubt that the fuser should handle your amount of envelopes. You print approx. 30000 envelopes in two months and the printer got a duty cycle Up to 150,000 pages per month.

I believe that you should try with a new media. Got some information from the printer service manual about envelopes:

Basis weight: 64 g/m2 to 105 g/m2 (17 lb to 28 lb) typical.

Caliper (thickness): 0.09 mm to 0.14 mm (3.6 mil to 5.5 mil) typical single-layer thickness.

Surface roughness: 100 to 200 Sheffield.

Fusing compatibility:

All inks, adhesives, and other materials used in the envelope construction must be compatible with the heat and pressure of the fusing process. Materials must not scorch, melt, ignite, offset materials, or release undesirable emissions when heated to a temperature between 175° to 230° C (347° to 446° F) for 0.1 second.

Curl:

Envelopes must lie flat, with no more than 6 mm (0.25
inch) curl across the entire surface.

Moisture content: 4 percent to 6 percent by weight.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Envelopes can only be printed from tray 1 or from the optional envelope feeder. Because of their construction, some envelopes will not feed through the printer dependably.

Observe the following guidelines when purchasing and using envelopes:


Make sure the envelope’s leading edge, which enters the printer first, is straight, with a sharp, well-creased fold that has no more than two thicknesses of paper. Envelopes that exceed 105 g/m2 (28 lb) basis weight can cause jamming.


- Avoid using flimsy envelopes with thick or curved leading edges; they will not feed reliably.

- Envelopes should lie flat and should not be wrinkled, nicked, or otherwise damaged.


- Avoid envelopes with baggy construction; they might wrinkle while going through the printer’s fuser assembly.

- Make sure that the adhesive labels used on envelopes will not scorch, melt, offset, or release undesirable emissions when heated to a temperature between 175° to 230° C (347° to 446° F)for 0.1 second.

- Avoid using envelopes with encapsulated adhesives that rely on pressure rather than moistening to seal.

- Do not use envelopes with clasps, snaps, tie strings, transparent windows, holes, perforations, or cutouts.

- Do not use envelopes that have any adhesive surfaces exposed to the printer.

- Woven or smooth finishes are recommended to ensure good toner adhesion on envelopes.

I also recommend that you go to the printers paper handling menu and then change "small paper speed" to slow instead of normal. Slow is recommended when alternating printing envelopes (or small media sizes) and standard media sizes and print problems appear.

When slow is selected, the printer briefly pauses between pages to reduce the possibility of a repeating image or damaged components.

 

[engleb]

Thank you for that very thorough response. We are using Self Seal Laser Bond EPS Size 10 Basis 24 Ivory Recycled envelopes. HP told me they were ok, but I see the self seal part doesn't conform to your post. (The self seal part is not at the very edge where the problem occurs, however.) We might try different envelopes if your other suggestions don't help.

I presume I need to change the fuser to see if any changes will effect the problem, correct?

It is irritating that HP doesn't want to accept responsibility for the problem.

Thanks!

 

[Sweg]

Fuser must be replaced yes, but let's hope it runs more than two months

Did you exchange fusing assembly when printer was under warranty? If not, the only thing you could do is call support and make them register a complaint on the product. HP got to have a complaint division and they will evaluate your case.

I wonder if fusers are considered as consumables. If they are there should be warranty on the fuser itself..but I don't know.

 

[LawnBoy]

I believe fusers are considered consumables.

 

[engleb]

Thanks for the help!