ComputingCommon
Laser printer
Also called laserjet, toner printer, copier.
Heavier than an inkjet and richer in steppers and a high-current supply. The toner cartridge is a mess, not a donor. The fuser is hot, mains, and usually worn.
A donor is the dead machine. The parts below are what is still worth removing from it. “Leave it” is a part that is physically in there and should stay in there: too dangerous, too worn, or only useful as part of a repair you are not doing.
A scrapped machine is a box of parts that failed at different times. The reason it was thrown out is often one bad piece. The motor, the cord, the supply, and the screws are frequently still good. This index says which is which.
Why it is in the trash while the parts are not
A worn fuser, a dead formatter, or it was cheaper to replace than to ship. Mechanics and the supply often survive.
Before you open it
Do this while it is still unplugged, cool, and not leaking. Unplug and let the fuser cool. Remove the cartridge sealed, outdoors if it has leaked. Do not bang the toner hopper.
Where the dead machine usually is
- Office cleanout — Commercial
- Bulk trash day — Curb
- Home office — In the house
Offices retire these in batches when the lease ends.
How it comes apart
Rear door and side covers. The supply is usually a distinct metal module. Polygon motor and laser are in the writer; leave that assembly closed.
Tools: Phillips, Gloves, A bag for the cartridge.
Words on this page
- mains
- Ordinary household wall power. It can kill. Unplug before you open anything that used it, and do not experiment on live wiring.
What to take
The table is the short version. The notes under it describe that part inside this machine, not only the general description.
| Part | Call | How many | How often | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch-mode wall supply | Prize | 1 | always | Its own metal cage. |
| Stepper motor | Prize | 2–4 | usually | Paper path and drum drive. |
| Axial fan | Worth pulling | 1–2 | usually | Rear exhaust. |
| Solenoid | Worth pulling | 1–3 | usually | Clutches in the paper path. |
| Microswitch | Worth pulling | several | usually | Doors and trays. |
| Gears | Worth pulling | a box | always | Drive train. |
| Linear shaft | Bonus | several | usually | Rollers. |
| Laser diode | Leave it | 1 | always | Optical writer. |
| Tubular heating element | Leave it | 1 | usually | Fuser. |
Prize
24 V class at real current is common, sometimes higher for the fuser control. Read the label.
Its own metal cage.
Four screws and the mains connector. Isolation-check it.
Often the healthiest part.
NEMA-17 class hybrids are common on older machines.
Paper path and drum drive.
Take the connector. Note the current on the driver if it is printed.
Good.
Worth pulling
12 or 24 V. The label decides.
Rear exhaust.
Unplug.
Good if it is not packed with toner dust.
Small, DC, intermittent duty.
Clutches in the paper path.
Leave the linkage if you want to understand the stroke.
Good.
Interlock and paper-present switches.
Doors and trays.
Map them before you cut the loom.
Good.
Some metal, mostly plastic.
Drive train.
Photograph the train.
Watch for one stripped gear.
Bonus
Steel shafts, some with rubber rollers that have gone shiny.
Rollers.
The rubber is often the worn part. The shaft is fine.
Rubber often glazed.
Leave it
Infrared, high speed, in a polygon assembly.
Optical writer.
Leave the writer shut.
Not a pointer.
A lamp or a ceramic heater at mains, plus a thermistor.
Fuser.
The film and the roller are consumables. This is not a first salvage.
Worn, and mains.