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| Paper Quality: Xerox TestedPutting Our Paper to the Test for Superior Paper Quality
We expect a lot from Xerox paper. And you can too. Why? Only Xerox subjects its paper to rigorous and extensive quality testing. We've invested in a multi-million dollar testing and research facility, and there are over 40 specifications every sheet of paper must meet to be called Xerox and meet our paper quality standards.
To keep pace with advancing technology, we continually add proprietary tests. And we track hundreds of customer complaints about our competitors' papers, then design tests to ensure the same things don't happen to our paper.
Our paper manufacturers must meet strict qualifications and maintain our high standards to produce Xerox paper. What's more, if we test a paper and find it isn't up to par, we reject the whole lot. You can rest assured that there's a good chance that the paper we rejected will be packaged in one of our competitors' wrappers!
Some of the key paper quality problems addressed at Xerox labs are likely problems you've encountered with other papers.
Too much curl
Paper curl can really put a crimp in your document's style. Not only does it produce an unprofessional look, but it can also cause expensive jams or even damage to your printers, copiers and fax machines. What's Xerox doing to iron out this problem?
First, we specify the precise formulation for paper, with strict specifications for everything from the trees used, to water and starch content and filler quantities. We also engineer sheet structure for side-to-side uniformity to achieve the flattest sheet possible.
And, from cold and dry Anchorage to hot and wet Miami, our environmental testing facilities help us ensure our paper will perform well everywhere and anywhere you are.
Misfeeds
Too much is as bad as too little when it comes to paper-to-paper friction. Both result in misfeeds. How does it happen? Multiple sheets of paper stick in the feeder and then you've got the potential for equipment failure.
Edge welding can also cause misfeeds. That's when papers stick together because they are so raggedly cut, the fibers from sheet to sheet intertwine.
What is Xerox doing to stop this problem and ensure your productivity isn't hampered by equipment downtime? We use two tests to determine the amount of friction a sheet of paper needs for optimum performance.
We've patented a unique timing analysis test to measure the amount of time it takes a sheet to travel the length of the paper path. And we also measure the paper-to-paper coefficient of friction.
To combat edge welding, we use a unique, high-powered magnification inspection device to guarantee Xerox paper is properly cut.
Static
Is static causing problems with your equipment? Static electric charges make sheets stick together, and can be especially problematic for double-sided printing.
If the paper surface isn't formulated to reduce or eliminate static, you can expect problems with collating, envelope stuffers and other post-processing equipment. How is Xerox addressing this sticky problem?
We measure the static in paper with sophisticated resistivity and charge dissipation tests. They tell us how long the sheet holds the charge needed to apply an image. We use this to determine the amount of chemical additives needed during the paper production process to eliminate clingy sheets and resulting post-production hassles.
Deletions
Is something missing from your document? Maybe a word or two? Or maybe a decimal point that changes your best customer's $1,000 invoice into a $100,000 invoice? What's Xerox doing to fill in the blanks for these mischief-making deletions?
We know that an uneven paper surface or minute buckling on the paper can prevent the transfer of an image from the toner roll to paper. To ensure paper won't produce deletions, we randomly select batches to be tested, then apply a uniform test pattern to the test paper. The paper is electronically scanned and we closely analyze it for consistent image density.
We also work with our paper manufacturers to ensure deletion-free paper. They must follow our exact specifications for moisture content, drying conditions and other paper characteristics to optimize performance.
Contamination
Paper dust buildup in equipment leads to a host of problems, including downtime, background spots, photoreceptor, fuser oil and feedbelt contamination, and developer poisoning. Wasting these valuable consumables costs you time and money.
What is Xerox doing to clean up contamination? First, we specify acceptable paper dust levels for a carton of paper to our paper mills. For Xerox paper, the dust content must be under 65 mg per carton. We measure microscopic quantities of extractable paper dust from paper in cartons. And we monitor the mills' compliance with our standards via a set of tests including the Taber abrasion test and a rubber-to-paper coefficient of friction test.
These help us determine the resiliency of paper as it travels through the equipment so we can ensure our paper has a nice hard surface and cleanly cut edges to minimize abrasion and dust. The result? Crisp, clean documents, preservation of valuable consumables and less contamination-related downtime.
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