I know the Duty Cycle is the max number of pages that a
laser printer can handle per month, but I don't understand
why a limit is set on the monthly print capacity allowable by
a laser printer.  Does this max page capacity set reffering
to the max # of pages it can handle before it needs maintanance
or something?

Duty cycle is a rating used to classify a printer, or copier, so you know which
one will suit your needs. If you plan on printing 50,000 prints per month, you
wouldn't buy a HP 4P. The printer would break down frequently, need parts
replaced on a regular basis, and the print cartridge would be changed many
times. on the other hand, a HP 4V is built to handle 50,000 prints per month,
so it will print that many prints on a regular basis without much need for
maintenance and supplies changing.
It all has to do with being built and priced to handle the work it will have
thrown at it. If you only print 20 copies a month, you wouldn't need to spend
for a HP 4V. I know this was wordy, but I hope it helps.

Tyler:

I believe it has to do with the reccomended number of pages per month. A
HP LJ5L has a rating of 4K pages per month while a IIISi is rated at 50K
pages per month.  One look at the printers will give you a good idea
why.  The IIISi is high end, high speed machine intended for use in a
networked office situation versus a 5L intended for home use. The
machines are built quite differently.  The IIISi has heavy duty rollers,
toner cartridge, motors, fuser, fans etc. to withstand this load.
Although you should be able to print 8 reams of paper (4K sheets) on a
5L it will not last very long if you try to print 100 reams!  We had a
law office that replaced one of their LJIII's with a 4L rather than pay
$300 to fix the LJIII.  They called back a month later to have the LJIII
fixed because the 4L had simply worn out.  HP is generally conservative
in there rating of duty cycle so your mileage may vary.
Oh, the 5Si is rated at 100K (200 reams of paper) per month duty cycle!

--
Jeff                            http://www.all-laser.com
All Laser Service        Laser Printer Parts & Supplies
Sunnyvale, CA           Compatible Inkjet Cartridges
(408) 734-2300          Laser Printer Error Code Info

If you stay within or under the mfg's page count you can expect the
mfg's MTBF figures for planning maintenance costs. If you exced the
f=duty cycle you can expect higher failure rates and a shorter printer
life.

--
        Dick Perron
http://www.randomc.com/~dperr/
dp...@randomc.com

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't.....will happen."

On Sun, 15 Mar 1998 18:58:45 -0800, All Laser Service

Pete Brooks
SouthernTier Printer

Think of duty cycle like the number of pages that the printer is
'insured' for its warranty coverage. If the duty cycle is higher, the
manufacturer is more exposed to the cost of servicing, and there is a
value that is placed on that exposure.

It's often not a case of whether the printer can physically handle the
output, but more often a case of the value of the service exposure
placed in the printer's cost.

There are some printers that are absolutely hard-stop not able to pass
beyond their duty cycle, and the 5Si engine from Canon is one of those.
100k/mo. max---no more or it starts dropping dead. I'm sure HP has seen
this a few times and has a policy to stick to the duty cycle. Lexmark
has the same engine on their Optra N, and recommends absolutely not
exceeding the 100k/mo duty cycle.

If you've got a client who has a 5Si and they're going over the duty
cycle, think about flipping them into the Optra S 2450. The cost per
page is lower, the cost of the maintenance kit is lower, the printer
will experience fewer jams, and it's got more paper capacity.

I say this not from any marketing B.S., but from having a client who is
20% over capacity as we speak with 5Si units, and I've got an S2450 in
there that they absolutely love.

By the way, the ROI over the 5Si on toner and maintenance kit will pay
for the printer in about 3-4 months at max duty cycle.

The downside is you won't be called out to service it as often as the
5Si, so there's less servicing revenue for you. Sorry.

Dennis Boulter
Lexmark Employee

"Personal opinion, not company policy, etc., etc...you know the drill."