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- Interview with Researchers “Induction Heating Fusing Technology”
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- Mr. Yoshino, please tell me about your job.
- The development of copiers and MFPs comprises several elements, including machine design, electrical circuit design and software development. I am responsible for “Image processing”, meaning how to make the final images that are viewed by users.
- I have heard that the current MFPs feature exceptional improvements in terms of environmental soundness.
- Power consumption largely depends on the copier's print speed per minute. Our task was to develop the MFPs as the best energy-saving model in the category. With copiers, the toner is adhered to the paper and fused with a high-temperature roller. The power consumed in this fusing process accounts for about 60% of the total power consumption of copiers.
We therefore reviewed the heat source of the fuser. As a result we decided to employ Induction Heating (IH) technology, commonly known for its use in electric stove-tops, instead of the conventional halogen heater. Thanks to this technology, we successfully reduced power consumption.
- Why can power consumption be reduced by using the induction heating source?
- It was standby power consumption that we reduced. The conventional fuser consumes about 60% of its total power consumption when it is in the ready mode. This is because the fuser requires a longer warm-up time for printing, unless a certain amount of electricity is consumed during the ready mode. To put it the other way around, if the warm-up time is shortened, power consumption during the ready mode can be substantially reduced. We focused attention on IH technology because it enables the temperature to increase more rapidly than if a halogen heater is used. Furthermore, we used a thinner-walled iron roller for fusing to improve the heat conduction efficiency. This allowed us to shorten the warm-up time, thereby reducing the power consumption in the ready mode. As a result, we accomplished our development task, which was to achieve the best energy-saving performance in the categories.
- What difficulties did you have in developing the best energy-saving models?
- It took some time to reach agreement that the entire development team should work together to develop the best energy-saving models. Essentially, developers have a strong wish to make products more convenient to use by improving performance. Some team members were of the opinion that it was better to focus on other functional improvements. However, we discussed how, in this day and age, we need to develop products that have superiority over those of our competitors. Finally, we decided that the entire development team would be committed to achieving maximum energy conservation, through such measures as lightening the load on the fuser as well as on the driving unit, applying power to the load only when the instrument is in use so as to reduce unnecessary power consumption, and the use of toner materials that enable fusing at low temperatures. Through such efforts, we succeeded in the development of the best energy-saving models.
- What do you think should be kept in mind while developing environmentally sound products?
- I believe that it would defeat the purpose if product usability is sacrificed by improved energy-saving performance. For example, to realize both a short printing time and reduction in power consumption, we tried to improve the warm-up performance. In addition to taking such an easy-to-understand measure to ensure usability, we repeated simulations of various real-life conditions under which the product is used. In so doing, we strived to develop products that satisfy customers in terms of usability, while simultaneously pursuing energy-saving measures.
- Before this project were you interested in environmental issues?
- I was interested in environmental issues only to the extent that I talked about waste separation and air pollution with my family. Through the experience of developing the bizhub, I feel that I came to be well aware of the need to minimize our energy consumption. In fact, when I purchased a new air conditioner, I checked how much power is consumed by the various products. In terms of my job, I came to pay attention to the technological trends concerning energy-saving in other industrial fields as well and from broader perspectives.
- What are your plans for the future?
- We are planning to improve energy-saving performance of copiers and MFPs in every categories. I also hope to establish an integrated concept for energy-saving technologies. When I selected an air conditioner, I realized that each and every person should be aware of environmental issues and should take individual measures. It is all the more important for manufacturers to continue offering products with excellent energy-saving performance, so as to fulfill their social responsibility.
