Metering roller for fuser release oil applicator

Abstract

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.