Cartridge-free Printers: Cartridgeless Laser And Inkjet Models, Color Printers Without Chip Cartridges

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 04:10

Despite the high degree of digitalization in the modern world, the use of printers of various types is still relevant. Among the large selection of modern printers, a large share is occupied by devices of a new generation: cartridgeless models. You should know about their features, device, selection methods.

Peculiarities

Using cartridge printers is very troublesome due to a number of inconveniences. In particular, one of the reasons for this is the fact that the lion's share of the profits of well-known brands that produce printers is not due to the sale of the equipment itself, but due to the sale of replacement cartridges for printers. Thus, it is not profitable for the manufacturer to change the specific design of the cartridges . The purchase of original cartridges can hit the pocket of the average buyer pretty hard. Fakes are, of course, cheaper, but not always much.

The following solution to the problem of frequent consumption of cartridges was quite popular - a CISS was installed (continuous ink supply system). However, this method had a number of disadvantages: the ink often leaked, the image turned out to be fuzzy, and the print head failed. With the invention of cartridgeless printers, these problems are a thing of the past. The situation has improved markedly with the advent of printers with ink tanks instead of cartridges. It happened in 2011. However, the name of the devices - cartridgeless models - does not mean at all that the device will no longer require refueling.

Cartridges are replaced by various analog parts: photo drums, ink tanks and other similar elements.

There are several types of cartridgeless printers

Laser . Such models are used to equip offices. The main part is the drum unit. Magnetized particles are transferred to it. The paper sheet is pulled through the roller, during which the toner particles are attached to the sheet. To bond the toner to the surface of the paper, a special oven inside the printer bakes the ink onto the surface. The devices are not designed for printing photographs. Unfortunately, the resolution of images printed with such a printer is not high. There is a statement that, when heated, a laser printer releases not entirely useful compounds into the air. There are studies that have partly proven this, but fumes do not cause significant harm to health. Sometimes it is recommended to ventilate the room in which such a device is located.

Inkjet . The principle of an inkjet printer is simpler: microscopic printhead nozzles apply ink that dries immediately onto the paper.

You can separately highlight such a device as an MFP (multifunction device). It combines the functions of several devices: printer, scanner, copier and fax. MFPs can also be equipped with imaging drums or ink tanks instead of cartridges.

Cartridgeless models have many significant advantages

• Instead of cartridges, ink tanks are most often used. They are equipped with special channels. This improves image quality and makes equipment run faster.
• The volume of ink tanks is larger than that of cartridges. Therefore, when using such printers, it is possible to print more images than with cartridge models. The average ink capacity is 70 ml. Models are available with a volume of 140 ml. This figure is almost 10 times more than the volume of a conventional cartridge.
• The possibility of using various dyes (pigment, water-soluble and others).
• Ink leak-proof design. It is possible to get dirty with paint when replacing ink tanks only in rare cases.
• Improved technology that allows images to last for almost 10 years.
• The dimensions of cartridgeless models are smaller than those of cartridge counterparts. Cartridge-less printers easily fit into even the smallest desktops and don't take up much space.

Separately, it is worth noting the fact that most modern printers can be controlled using an application that can be downloaded to a mobile phone.

Popular models

Many companies have mastered the production of cartridgeless models

It is the Epson brand invented a new technology especially for those who want to print a lot, quickly and with high quality, so it makes sense to stop at some models from this manufacturer. The line of printers called "Epson Print Factory" has become very popular. For the first time, ink tanks were used instead of cartridges. One refueling is enough to print 12 thousand pages (about 3 years of continuous operation). These cartridgeless printers are manufactured in-house under strict Epson brand guidelines and have proven their high quality parts and workmanship. All Epson devices are divided into products for home and office. The first category can include black and white models for 11 thousand prints, as well as 4-color models for 6 thousand prints. The Epson WorkForce Pro Rips model was specially released for office premises, with one filling of which you can print 75 thousand sheets.

In 2019, HP presented to the world its brainchild - the first cartridgeless laser printer. Its main feature is fast toner refilling (only 15 seconds). The manufacturer claims that one refueling will be enough to print about 5 thousand pages. Users liked the model called the HP Neverstop Laser. It received the highest marks of the entire Neverstop series. Among the noted advantages are compact dimensions, laconic design and filling, which will be enough to print 5 thousand pages. It should be noted also the color printer of this brand - HP DeskJet GT 5820. The model is easily refilled, and one refueling is enough for 80 thousand pages.

A purely home model is inkjet Canon Pixma TS304 printer … Its price starts at 2500 rubles, it is very compact and designed for infrequent use. It can also carry out photo printing.

We should also mention the models without chip cartridges. Now they are no longer produced, but just a few years ago they were quite popular . Chip cartridges require flashing, since they can only be refilled with certain products (from the manufacturer itself).

Refueling a cartridge printer, as you know, is not cheap. However, not all models can be reflashed. Among the well-known brands that produce chip cartridges are the following: Canon, Ricoh, Brother, Samsung, Kyocera and others.

How to choose?

The printer has many nuances of design, assembly of parts. But, as a rule, for the average user, they are not of great importance. It is recommended to purchase easy-to-use models that suit the price and functionality. When choosing a printer, you must be guided by certain parameters.

• Resolution is one of the most important characteristics. Avoid choosing high-resolution models for printing simple documents. If you plan to print photographs, then, on the contrary, it is worth staying on devices with a resolution of 4800 × 1200.
• Another important characteristic is the format. The most common is A4. Care must be taken, however, to avoid accidentally purchasing a model that is designed for smaller prints.
• Availability / absence of Wi-Fi. Quite handy if you plan to print documents directly from your smartphone. This feature is an added convenience, but it is not required.
• The speed of work. It is relevant for offices. Inexpensive models are able to print on average about 4-5 pages per minute, more technological models - about 40 pages.
• Some users may wonder what kind of printers are suitable for printing photos. The answer is clear: inkjet.

The laser model can simply melt the photo paper.