Foo - What the heck is a drum cartridge?

My printer ran out of ink. It uses toner cartridges (TN-360) that last 2600 pages each. There's a "drum" cartridge (DR-360) for this printer that's supposed to last 12k pages. But... what the heck is this drum cartridge?

a) Is it toner on steroids that last a lot longer?
b) Is an additional part that works in conjunction with the toner cartridge?

Anybody has any experience on this?

Here's the toner cartridge: TN-360 (http://www.amazon.com/Brother-TN360-Yield-Black-Cartridge/dp/B001167XXY) 2,600 pages, $48 bucks
Here's the drum cartridge: DR-360 (http://www.amazon.com/Brother-DR360-Drum-Unit-Packaging/dp/B001167XXO) 12,000 pages, $68 bucks

http://www.brother-usa.com/accessories/brother-advantage/printer-toner-cartridge.aspx#.UDDyZqllQf4

I still don't get it. Does the printer needs a toner & a drum cartridge? Or can the drum cartridge be a replacement for the toner cartridge? I'm very confused.

I was expecting a thread about your car's brakes.

Maybe he is replacing his brake fluid with ink cartridge fluid, assuming he has drum brakes.

Yep - have a little copier/fax/scanner at work (purchased out of the company lists, therefore it is not supported) and it (Brother) wants a drum and toner cartridge.

From googling ...


What is a drum cartridge and what is the difference between a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge?


Best Answer
A Toner Cartridge holds toner and dispenses it as needed to make copies (in a copier) or to prints pages (in a printer).

Another element in xerographic copiers is the photoreceptor drum. This is the surface to which the toner adheres before being transfered to the paper. The photoreceptor has a long but finite useful lifetime and must be replaced occasionally. Some copiers/printers have drum cartridges which can be changed out by the user. The alternative would be to have a service person open the machine and replace the photoreceptor drum.

So, a drum cartridge alows the user to replace the photoreceptor drum and a toner cartridge allows the user to replenich toner supplies, both easier than before cartridges were developed for this purpose.

Thanks Tude...

I have disassembled the whole thing. Comparing the disassembled parts to the pictures of the cartridges on sale it seems this printer has both a drum cartridge which is still good, and a toner cartridge which needs replacement. I must replace this ASAP so I can continue printing ferries for my little to color. Because when a female is not happy, the house is not happy. Even if it is the little female.

I work in the copier/printer business. The drum is the photoconducter that is used to create the image and is subject to wearing out over time. Some laser/LED printers have the drum and toner all enclosed in one unit, so when you replace the toner, you are also replacing the other wear and tear items like the drum. Other models, such as yours, have them separated, which can be more cost effective over time, as you just add toner when needed. The drum does have a life expectancy however and needs to be periodically replaced.

Some cartridge rechargers will clean out the image unit and put fresh toner in with the old drum. When the drum wears out, you will have problems with image quality. Better recharging companies will do an inspection of the drum condition and not reuse them more than once or twice. They will replace worn photoconducter drums. Others will just keep refilling them until they fail and then just do a warranty exchange.

... I must replace this ASAP so I can continue printing ferries for my little to color. ...

Your kid colors boats? Cool!

I wasn't sure which my Brother laser needed, so I ordered both. Tried replacing one, no joy, replaced the other, still no joy.
Ended up replacing both. Brother has the best product support in the business, give them a call and they will walk you through a diagnostic procedure and tell you which one you need.

Ended up replacing both. Brother has the best product support in the business, give them a call and they will walk you through a diagnostic procedure and tell you which one you need.
To those of us in the trade, Brother is the printer equivalent of the $99 Wal-Mart bicycle.

To those of us in the trade, Brother is the printer equivalent of the $99 Wal-Mart bicycle.

Tell me about it. Our three-year old MFC will now forever print crooked because I pulled a jam out the wrong way a few weeks ago.

I had a lexmark laser that lasted for years and years... and it was 2nd hand. When that one dies I got the brother... still going strong after ~ 5 years of abuse.

That reminds me, I need to order color drums for my DocuColor 242 & 240, I'm down to one.

Your kid colors boats? Cool!
:rolleyes: