摘要 |
An image forming device, which is suitable for use in a duplicator. a printer, a facsimile machine or the like, and carries out a printing operation by utilizing an electrophotographic recording system and an electrostatic recording system, comprises a plurality of consumable working parts (10-1,...,10-n),including at least a developing unit, a drum unit, a fixing unit, and a transfer unit, and further comprises a unit (12-1,...,12-n) for integrating the working time of each of the working parts (10-1,...,10-n), a memory (14-1...,14-n) for storing the integrated working time of each working part (10-1,...,10-n), a lifetime setting unit in which a predetermined lifetime of each working part is set, and a generator (16) for generating an exchange requirement signal for at least one of the working parts (10-1...,10-n) when the integrated working time of the working part reaches the lifetime of the part set in the lifetime setting unit. Such an image forming device permits the exchange of consumable working parts to be carried out at appropriate intervals, regardless of the conditions of use. |