How does a copy machine make copies???

Question

How does a copy machine make copies???

Answer 1

The magic happens in the photoreceptor.  This is a cylinder or belt that can have it's electrical charge manipulated. The page you're copying is transferred to the photoreceptor and where the page is dark there is no charge applied and where it is light a charge is applied. When the drum comes in contact with the toner, it only sticks to the area that was dark on your original.  There is another process that transfers the toner from the photoreceptor to the blank page. Once the toner is on the copy, it gets fused using heat.

Answer 2

A copy machine works by using a process called xerography. In a copier machine there is a special type of film called a photoreceptor that acts like the wall with the balloon stuck to it.

When you press the button on a copier machine, several steps using electrical charges follow. First, electricity passes through a thin wire which is held just above the photoreceptor. This electricity causes the air to form lots of positive charges that are sprayed onto the photoreceptor. Next, a beam of light, such as that from a laser is used to “write” on the photoreceptor. Where this beam writes depends on what the original sheet of paper you placed into the copier looks like.

A black or colored powder called toner is shaken over the photoreceptor. The toner has a negative charge and therefore sticks to positive charges that were left on the photoreceptor.

Next, a piece of paper is pressed against the photoreceptor to make the toner transfer to the paper. Finally, the paper is heated to make the toner melt into the paper so it won't rub off.

Out comes your copy. So, next time you stick a balloon to the wall, remember that electrical charges can be used to do some really useful things! ♥