The Lexmark 4019 engine was introduced in several models of the IBM LaserPrinter series beginning in 1989. The 4019 model, which featured 300 dpi resolution and a print speed of 5 to 10 pages per minute (ppm) was an important entry to the printer market as the first desktop laser printer designed and built in the United States.
The subsequent 4029 models were released in 1991 and were marked as the first printers introduced by Lexmark as an independent company following their split from IBM. However, this family of printers, which ranged from 5 to 10 ppm, were all based on the 4019 engine.
In 1993 Lexmark introduced a line of 4039 model printers, featuring a new PCR-based cartridge ranging in print speed from 10 to 16 ppm and having a resolution of 600 dpi. The 4049 engine, released in 1994 introduced yet another PCR-based cartridge, and was featured in a new line of Optra® network printers boasting resolution up to 1200 dpi and print speeds ranging from 12 to 16 ppm.
Overall, the printer/cartridge designs are very similar between the 4019, 4039 and 4049. Some internal cartridge components are interchangeable, while others such as toner and developer rollers are not.
The development technology featured in Lexmark 4019, 4039 and 4049 cartridges is very different from the technology featured in cartridges of other OEMs, particularly the Canon®-based cartridges. For example, non-magnetic toner (Lexmark) vs. magnetic toner (Canon), a doctor bar (Lexmark) vs. a polyurethane doctor blade (Canon), a polyurethane developer roller (Lexmark) vs. a magnetic developer roller (Canon), and pure electrostatic development (Lexmark) vs. jump development (Canon). These differences in technology and components dictate a set of remanufacturing and cleaning procedures tailored specifically for Lexmark cartridges in order to effectively manage the cartridge and its components.