Torturing our devices in ways that simulate extreme operating conditions either proves a machine has what it takes to succeed in the harshest real-world conditions or reveals things we still need to work on. So everything from endurance to output quality, and packaging to scan performance, gets put to the test.
And we never stop using the data we gather under torturous conditions to make products designed for reliability, durability, and uptime, whatever and wherever you need to print.
Extreme environments: Test device performance in a variety of environmental conditions starting with normal office conditions and going far beyond design specs by simulating extreme temperatures, wide-ranging air moisture levels, and high and low altitudes.
Print/scan marathon
Test device performance with various run rates, job sizes, number of sides, paper sizes and types, input trays and toner coverage levels. Cross-test with other factors and measures as part of a highly accelerated life test.
Time machine
Print with and without delays between jobs. Print so much — including repeated insertion and removal of supplies and cartridges — that it simulates rapid device ageing. Then put device and supplies in long-term storage and see how they work when called back to duty.
Ship and store
Test device that’s gone through simulated shipping (including high altitudes and vibration during shipping) and storage.
Global papers
Test feed performance with over 400 papers from around the world, including office papers, card stock, labels, envelopes, papers with recycled content, previously printed sheets, curled media from extreme environments, and unsupported media types.
Quality control
Check output visually and perform calibrated evaluations of color fidelity, color alignment and image skew, across a wide variety of languages and image types.
Toner bonding
Evaluate how well toner stays bonded to paper when applied in various extreme operating conditions.
Rough handling
Simulate customer environments with automated tray slamming and kicking, device dropping (with and without packaging), pushing device across a work surface, and bright environmental light exposure.
Scanner stress-out
Challenge scanner with stacks of folded, hole-punched and specialty papers, with slick, rough and normal surfaces, plus annoying add-ons like sticky notes and adhesive tape. Confirm printer glass can take up to 55 lbs. of weight.
Component torture
Across other punishing tests, evaluate wear and failures of fuser, feed/separator rollers, cartridge contacts, transfer roll, paper path, electronics and laser assembly. Validate device usability and electrical/electromagnetic performance.