Metering roller for fuser release oil applicator
A metering roller, for a fuser release oil applicator, which enables precise and consistent application of a predetermined target amount of release oil to the fuser roller. Starting with tubing stock that has been machined and course ground to a final outside diameter, the metering roller is produced by initial pre-finish polishing, electroplating with Nickel, heat treatment to achieve a hardened surface, and final post-finish polishing. Both pre-finish and post-finish polishing steps are performed on a lathe with continuously fed polishing paper according to a parameter recipe that includes lathe spindle rpm and lead screw speed, and polishing paper grit, feed rate, pressure, and oscillatory rate.
1 . A method of making a metering roller, from a cylindrical work piece of a predetermined outside diameter, for delivering release fluid to a contact fusing device, comprising the steps of:
a. polishing the axial surface of the cylindrical work piece to a predetermined initial surface finish;
b. increasing the hardness of said axial surface; and
d. polishing said axial surface of the cylindrical work piece to a predetermined final surface finish.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in step b said axial surface is electroplated with Chrome.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said Electroless Nickel is plated to a minimum thickness of 25.4 microns.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the polishing abrasive used in steps a and c is Aluminum Oxide, with a grit grade in the range of 9-30 microns, bonded on a flexible film.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein in steps a and c the work piece is rotated at a speed in the range 500-1000 rpm.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive engages the work piece via a backing roller, at a pressure in the range 9-15 psi.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive is fed from a supply roll to a take-up roll at a speed in the range 2-4 inches per minute.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive axially traverses the work piece at a speed in the range 25-35 inches per minute, and axially oscillates at a rate in the range 7.0-9.0 cycles per second.
9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive engages the work piece via a backing roller, at a pressure in the range 9-15 psi, is fed from a supply roll to a take-up roll at a speed in the range 2-4 inches per minute, axially traverses the work piece at a speed in the range 25-35 inches per minute, and axially oscillates at a rate in the range 7.0-9.0 cycles per second.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in step c said axial surface is electroplated with Nickel.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the work piece is heat treated by steadily raising the temperature of the work piece from ambient temperature to 750° F. in one hour, maintaining the temperature at 750° F. for three hours, and steadily cooling the temperature from 750° F. to ambient temperature in one hour.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said Nickel is plated to a minimum thickness 25.4 microns.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the polishing abrasive used in steps a and c is Aluminum Oxide, with a grit grade in the range of 9-30 microns, bonded on a flexible film.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein in steps a and c the work piece is rotated at a speed in the range 500-1000 rpm.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive engages the work piece via a backing roller, at a pressure in the range 9-15 psi.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive is fed from a supply roll to a take-up roll at a speed in the range 2-4 inches per minute.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive axially traverses the work piece at a speed in the range 25-35 inches per minute, and axially oscillates at a rate in the range 7.0-9.0 cycles per second.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said Aluminum Oxide polishing abrasive engages the work piece via a backing roller, at a pressure in the range 9-15 psi, is fed from a supply roll to a take-up roll at a speed in the range 2-4 inches per minute, axially traverses the work piece at a speed in the range 25-35 inches per minute, and axially oscillates at a rate in the range 7.0-9.0 cycles per second.
19 . A metering roller, for delivering release fluid to a contact fusing device, made by the method of claim 1 .
20 . A device, for applying release fluid, contained in a sump, to a contact fusing device, comprising:
a donor roller rotatably supported to contact said fusing device;
a metering roller made by the method of claim 1 , said metering roller rotatably supported to contact said donor roller and said release fluid in said sump; and
a metering blade contacting said metering roller for metering said release fluid to a predetermined thickness.