Image forming apparatus with oil supply consumption prediction

摘要

An image forming apparatus which has a structure such that the oil consumption in a detachable and changeable oil supply unit is accurately predicted in order to display appropriate change timing. This prevents continuation of a fixing operation when the fixing cannot be performed because oil has been consumed. The result is a reliable fixing operation in which offset is prevented. The oil consumption of a detachable oil supply unit is predicted using at least any one of size, material, and printing mode information. Oil consumption is used to calculate and predict the integrated value of the predicted oil consumption. If the integrated value of the predicted oil consumption exceeds a predetermined value, a message to change the oil supply is displayed. After the message has been displayed, the image forming apparatus is interrupted.