There are three toner-end states for this machine. The detected conditions and operation at the time of detection are described below.

StatusDetect ConditionWhat Happens (Operation panel message)
Estimated toner near-end

The amount of toner remaining is calculated from the operation time of the toner supply clutch (CL2).

MF model:
"[System Message] Check you have a print cartridge replacement(s). Current toner cartridge can be used until the replacement alert."

Printer model:
"Check you have a print cartridge replacement(s)."

Definite toner near-endToner end sensor detects the amount of toner remaining.

MF model:
"[System Message] Toner Cartridge is empty. Printing will be suspended soon. Replace the cartridge."

Printer model:
"Check you have a print cartridge replacement(s). Contact your local vendor."

Toner endCalculated from definite near-end.

MF model:
Printing halts.
"[Add Toner] The following toner has been depleted. Procedure for adding toner is shown on the right."

Printer model:
Printing halts.
"[Add Toner] Replace Print Cartridge. Press the Menu key to check supplies."

Estimated Toner Near End

When the amount of toner remaining (%) *1 is calculated from the amount of toner supplied, or the total distance (%) *2 of operation by the toner cartridge, whichever is lower is taken as the value of the amount of toner remaining. Either can be calculated from the toner supply operation time. When the amount of toner remaining reaches the threshold of the amount of toner available for use *3, this triggers the estimated toner near-end alert.

*1 Toner remaining [%] = { Amt. toner supplied [g] / (Initial toner fill [g] - Toner fill tolerance and toner amt. margin [g]) } x 100

*2 Amt. toner consumed [%] = (Toner cartridge operation time distance / Used toner end distance) x 100

*3 The near-end and utilization threshold value can be selected with SP3-098-001: 0 Early, 1 Normal, 2 Late (default).

Definite Toner Near End

The toner end sensor (a photosensor) detects the amount of toner inside the development unit.

It projects light to detect the amount of toner remaining in the toner supply path. The toner end sensor detects the occurrences of the toner near-end state. The estimated toner near-end state is triggered when the following condition is met:

Lower limit detections ≥ Near-end detection threshold (18 counts)

In a case where definite toner end is detected before estimated toner end, the definite toner end state takes precedent.

Toner End

When the definite toner end is determined, in order to calculate toner end the machine calculates the amount of toner consumed after definite toner end. The machine enters the toner end state and the machine halts when the following condition is met:

Amt. of toner consumed ≥ End calculation threshold (5,000 mg)