subject: How Ink Cartridges Work [print this page] Ink cartridges are vital components that are used for printing various documents. They can be either refilled or can be replaced with new cartridges. The process of printing is not possible without ink cartridges. Read this article to know about ink cartridges and how they help in printing superb quality and vibrant print-outs.
In inkjet printers the process by which ink cartridges work is quite technical. One can find a partition in the cartridge where the ink reservoir is placed and this is heated by a small piece of metal. At the time when the printer is given a signal to print, a current flows across the metal plate, which warms up the metal. Once the metal is heated the ink in the cartridge gets vaporized and gets converted into tiny bubbles. These bubbles egress from the nozzle, one at a time. This force drops the ink onto the paper. The process is very fast and hardly takes a few milliseconds and the process of printing happens in no time.
However, there is a catch. The printing process through ink cartridges can take place smoothly and quickly only if the flow of the ink through the cartridges is smooth. So to have smooth flow of the ink every time, the ink is supposed to be kept in liquid form. Sometimes, there can be complications in the printing process, the reason for this might be the one mentioned above. However, if such a problem arises where the ink gets dry, the dry ink can be removed by using isopropyl alcohol by gently rubbing on it.
The cartridges are filled with separate colors. One cartridge is filled with black ink and the other with three primary colors: red, blue and green and the presence of each of these colors in a cartridge is a must. Apart from these, there are certain other cartridges which are particularly used in photo printers.
Some of the best available cartridges in the market are Epson ink cartridges, which are an extremely popular choice. The ink in them is of high quality and dries pretty fast from the paper thus making them a huge hit among consumers. This cartridge can be availed from office supply stores and on the web too.
Each ink cartridge contains a number of separated ink reservoirs. High end manufacturers of ink cartridges add electronic components to them. It makes it easy for the cartridge to communicate with the printer easily. The popular printer manufacturer, HP uses a thermal sensor in their cartridge, which allows the nozzle to spread ink evenly on the paper in response to a signal sent by the printer. Once, the ink begins to dry up at the print head, it becomes a necessity to change or refill the cartridge immediately. Any delay in refilling may damage the print head because the ink in these cartridges acts like a coolant which protects the heating elements in them. Once the coolant dries out and the thermal sensors become hot, the heating elements burn up, causing permanent damage to the head of the printer.
Usually genuine ink cartridges can be pretty expensive. Therefore, people often turn to compatible ink cartridges. Compatible ink cartridges are an attractive alternative to original cartridges and are available at various online stores.
