Modelling and DEM simulations of toner behaviour in a print process

This paper describes the modelling of the toner behaviour in the development nip of the Océ Direct Imaging print process. The dynamic motion of and mechanical interactions between toner particles are explicitly modelled. The mechanical interactions are due to collisions, friction, adhesion, and electromagnetic forces. The discrete element method (DEM) is used as the simulation tool for a quantitative description of the system. The interaction rules are determined for the toner particles and the surfaces of the development rollers. The model is validated with print quality results. It is shown that it is possible to achieve quantitative agreement between DEM simulations and experimental print quality results.