The Lifecycle of a Photocopier: How Long Can You Expect a Used Machine to Last?

Are you considering purchasing (or leasing) a used photocopier but still determining its reliability? Let us at Canada Copier Remarketing share our knowledge on used photocopiers with you to dispel some of your questions.

Given their durability, copiers will remain in style for a long time. A high-quality copy machine should last five years, but depending on how well you take care of it and how frequently you use it, some models can live up to ten years!

The actual lifespans of photocopiers may fluctuate significantly across models. As with most things, though, there’s more to the tale. Choosing the ideal photocopier for your needs and maintaining it will lengthen its lifespan considerably.

Factors Influencing the Lifespan of a Photocopier

Type of Photocopier

The most popular copiers are business-grade copiers, designed to produce at least 1,000 copies each month. Up to 50,000 copies can be made monthly by sophisticated machinery. If you want it to survive as long as possible, you shouldn’t copy as many pages as the maximum monthly duty cycle on your photocopier allows you to copy each month. Use the “optimum zone” or “recommended monthly volume for best performance” that is listed in your copier’s specs rather than the “maximum,” which often yields exaggerated figures. It’s not optimal to operate your photocopier at maximum speed all the time.

Usage Frequency

The useful life of a photocopier can be significantly impacted by heavy usage, just like any other piece of equipment. Each copier has a maximum duty cycle, or the amount of prints it can produce in a month at maximum capacity. Although this amount is the copier’s maximum capacity, it is far more than the manufacturer’s suggested volume. The impact of continuously operating the gadget at maximum power may be analogous to maintaining the red line on your car’s tachometer. At some point, the stress will lead to premature component failure.

Maintenance Practices

Even though photocopiers don’t always require an oil change every three to five thousand miles, several maintenance tasks should only be carried out by qualified professionals. There are several things you can do to increase uptime on your end in between repair appointments:

• Dust your device frequently to keep it clean and the environment around it.
• Use a cleaner without ammonia to clean glass surfaces.
• To keep dust from entering the paper route, vacuum the interior of the unit’s paper trays.
• Just as with the document feeder, output, and bypass trays, clean any exposed feeding trays with a moist cloth.

Environment

Even with higher-quality copiers, environmental concerns will affect their lifespan. For instance, scorching, inadequately ventilated, and dusty places may impact a copier’s dependability and valuable life.

Brand and Build Quality

Selecting the appropriate brand is the first step, regardless of whether you are leasing or renting. Given that Epson, Sharp, and Canon are the undisputed leaders in the business, it is difficult to choose between them. When maintained by a trustworthy partner, they provide high-quality print devices that will guarantee excellent print quality for over five years of their useful life. This is crucial because, in the absence of a preventative maintenance program, the typical office copiers may exhibit poor print quality and malfunction after three years.

Average Lifespan of a Photocopier

Lifespan of New Photocopiers

Every product has a stated estimated lifetime. In the photocopier business, however, a machine’s estimated lifespan is determined by counting the “clicks,” or individual pages produced or copied, in a given month. Generally, a more vital machine can tolerate more clicks than a smaller, more delicate one. However, you risk putting an essential tool through needless strain and damage if you use it for purposes other than those it was designed for.

Lifespan of Used Photocopiers

Was the photocopier you initially bought or rented for your business brand new or reconditioned? Older equipment can save your company a lot of money, but it doesn’t always survive as long as new equipment. Learn as much as you can about the machine’s reconditioning procedure before making a used purchase. Remember to account for your expected print quantities as well. If you prefer to keep your monthly volumes modest, acquiring a higher-quality machine that you can maintain longer but use less of can make sense.

Page Counts as Indicators

The capacity of the photocopiers in your office is also crucial. In the near term, you can increase the capacity of a copier you rent or lease from 5,000 to 8,000 pages per month. However, if left unchecked for an extended time, it will eventually wear down and require replacement before it reaches the end of its useful life. This will cause increasing disruption and lost productivity.

Small Business Usage Expectations

Why spend more money on a more sophisticated machine with features your team members may never want if you are a small business owner with modest printing and copying needs? Refurbished multifunction copiers are just as good at their jobs as all the other copiers, if maybe a little more expensive.

Common Wear and Tear 

High-Wear Components

Pages that come out of the copier with wrinkles are typically the result of worn-out feed and rollers, which can lead to sticking or jamming. To solve this issue, you have two options: buy replacement trays or get a copy specialist to fix the fuser assembly. Wrinkled sheets sometimes indicate that your copier has seen too much wear and tear to operate correctly, even if it may be only a case of some paper becoming jammed or overloaded in your machine.

Signs of Wear

Coping issues can be caused by high-resolution settings, faded colours, blank sheets appearing after every document, software issues, and paper jams. Lower resolution settings speed up coping, while faded colours indicate low toner or ink levels. Regular calibration and calibration can ensure vibrant colours. Blank sheets may be a setting issue, while only half a page may be due to software or corrupted files. Paper jams can be caused by incorrect paper type and size, overfilling the tray, or regular cleaning to prevent dust and debris buildup.

Replacement and Repair Frequency

Your photocopier must be serviced every three months, but how frequently you use it will dictate how often it has to be maintained. To choose the best place to start concerning photocopier maintenance, thoroughly and objectively evaluate your machine’s requirements. You may put off thorough repair and maintenance for longer if the copy machine produces less work, and vice versa. Additionally, it’s advised that you conduct routine maintenance even if your gadgets are functioning correctly and you don’t see the need for it.

Regular photocopier maintenance is essential to ensuring peak performance and avoiding costly problems. A maintenance worker and a handbook can help prevent avoidable charges.

How to Prolong the Life of a Used Photocopier

Routine Maintenance Tips

In general, cleaning your copier provides optimal operation by removing paper jams,

1. You must first disconnect and switch off the machine to avoid electrical mishaps that might harm you and the copier.
2. After that, apply an alcohol-containing cleaning solution or a wipe. Do not include ammonia or bleach in the cleaning.
3. Next, dab a clean cloth a little bit with the cleaning solution. To prevent issues with the machine, avoid adding too much liquid to the cleaning cloth.
4. As you gently wash the external components with the wiping cloth, ensure no liquid gets between the crevices surrounding the buttons. After allowing the copier’s surface to dry, plug it in. Next, give yourself a hand wash.

Professional Servicing

Like any other machine, your workplace copier has to be maintained regularly to perform at its best. Contracting with a nearby photocopier dealer is the best approach to guaranteeing that your copier is kept in good working order. For a set monthly, quarterly, or yearly charge, you can have total peace of mind at Canada Copier Remarketing in Mississauga, ON, knowing that your equipment is operating as intended, that any repairs are taken care of, and that all supplies are supplied directly to your place of business. Preventative maintenance visits are included in all service agreements. During these visits, our specialist carefully cleans and inspects your equipment to ensure it is trouble-free and performs at its best.

Best Practices for Usage

To ensure the longevity of your copier, follow these tips:

1. Use the right toner for your machine. Toners vary in viscosity and quality, so using the right one for your machine is crucial. Check the copier’s owner’s manual for compatible toners, and avoid using toner bottles that look like they still have toner inside.
2. Clean your copier regularly. Wipe away from entry areas and check the glass platen before making copies or scanning. Clear jams and retrieve all parts of the jammed page.
3. Choose a copier that is well-suited for your needs. Avoid false advertisements and overbuying. Some machines are designed for high-use environments, and underuse can lead to more maintenance than necessary.
4. Schedule regular maintenance and service calls. Most manufacturers recommend regular maintenance, and some leases may include periodic service. Research maintenance recommendations and set automated reminders.
5. Discuss your needs with a repair professional. They may recommend upgrades or different maintenance services. Following these tips can benefit your office in the future.

Choosing the Right Used Copier

When replacing your company’s copy machine, it’s essential to consider the network, pages per minute (PPM) impressions per minute (IPM) of the copier, the warranty, and the memory capacity. A network ensures efficient file communication, while PPM and IPM are crucial for a busy workplace. A warranty of at least 60 days is essential for any potential issues. The copier should have sufficient memory to keep up with daily operations. The cost of the used copier should be considered, considering operating, maintenance, and toner costs. Quality is also crucial, as different businesses require different output standards. Ultimately, a quality copier can save you money without compromising efficiency.

You can manage, purchase, or lease your photocopier services.

Businesses of all sizes in Onterio can benefit from managed copier services offered by Canada Copier Remarketing.

We can help you too. We have assisted hundreds of company owners with copier requirements, including those in the real estate, education, and professional services industries. Call Canada Copier Remarketing right now for more details on managed copier services, including top-notch equipment, regularly scheduled maintenance and quick repair services.

Telephone: (416) 953-3264

Address: 1515 Britannia Road East, Unit #14–15, Mississauga, Ontario

Website: https://canadacopierremarketing.com