Transfer Belts

The print process in a mono laser printer creates the image directly onto the page. An electrostatic field on a photoconductive drum actually creates the image. The image is then transferred from drum to paper using another high voltage. The process is sometimes called electrophotography.

In a colour laser printer four colours are used, cyan, magenta, yellow and black (the CMYK process). To transfer four coloured toners four different voltages are used and the toner for an image already made is held in place by a charged belt. On HPs older printers (Laserjet 3600 for instance) the charged belt held the paper in place. In these newer printers the image is made onto the belt then transferred to the paper at a secondary transfer station. Belts that work this way tend to be known as Intermediate Transfer Belts (ITBs).

Transfer belts have a limited life, usually something between 25,000 and 150,000 pages. The life of a transfer belt is influenced by useage patterns.

Very frequent single page prints will age the belt more rapidly because of the friction of start-stop cycles. Very heavy page cover probably decreases the life of the belt as its triboelectric properties decline. Excessive buildup of sub-micron particles from incorrectly specified toner could be a problem. A dirty environment sucgh as a city centre office where surfaces gather dust from diesel exhaust may also have an impact. Some people use these printers for long production runs and could need a new transfer belt.

Transfer belts are not usually available refurbished at present

RM1-4852 Intermediate transfer belt (ITB) for HP CP2025/CM2320 (RM1-4852-000CN )

CP2025 Transfer Belt

Print cartridges actually make the image onto an intermediate transfer belt and this is then moved to the page at the secondary transfer station in the back of the printer. The belt has a long life - probably something between 30,000 and 100,000 pages but we haven't found a definitive statement for this printer model. Like most printer manufacturers HP don't seem to include the cost of replacing the belt in their calculation of page cost. With smaller printers the presumption seems to be that no replacement will be needed because the belt will last the life of the machine.

The belt is one of those components that are vulnerable to defective toners, especially refills that leak. Excessive buildup of toner on the belt might cause sensors to malfunction.

RM1-4852-000CN Intermediate transfer belt (ITB) assembly

HP Color LaserJet CP2025 Printer
HP Color LaserJet CP2025dn Printer
HP Color LaserJet CP2025n Printer

HP Color LaserJet CM2320 Multifunction Printer
HP Color LaserJet CM2320fxi Multifunction Printer
HP Color LaserJet CM2320nf Multifunction Printer

HP LaserJet Pro 300 Color M351a Printer

HP LaserJet 300 Color MFP M375nw Printer

HP LaserJet Pro 400 Color M451dn Printer
HP LaserJet Pro 400 Color M451dw Prnter
HP LaserJet Pro 400 Color M451nw Printer

HP LaserJet 400 Color MFP M475dn Printer
HP LaserJet 400 Color MFP M475dw Prnter