by 
The Curious Bag
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Found mainly in laser printers, copy machines and fax machines, a drum cartridge is a revolver drum that transfers toner from the machine to the paper. Drum cartridges are also commonly referred to as photoreceptor drums.
Function
Toner is released to drum cartridges in specific dosages in order produce an exact image of the data that was put into the printer or fax machine.
Significance
Drum cartridges are a technological advancement that make things easier for users. In early copiers, changing photoreceptor drums became a very messy task, as toner would stick to hands and stain clothing. You don't have to touch a drum cartridge to replace it.
Advantage
Because of their long-lasting characteristic, drum cartridges are preferred. Other printer cartridges have to be replaced when they run out of ink. Drum cartridges save money, because only toner cartridges must be replaced in machines with drum cartridges.
Considerations
Drum cartridges are not perfect devices, because they occasionally need to be cleaned. Having the drum serviced or cleaning it yourself are two different possibilities.
Warning
In the United States, toner is considered a hazardous waste. It is a very fine powder, and when changing the drum or toner cartridge, take care not to breath in the toner powder.
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