What is the Difference Between Parts and Consumables?
When you own a scanner, or multiple scanners, you are responsible for keeping that equipment running efficiently by keeping consumables on hand. The components of a scanner that touch the paper and are designed to wear out and be replaced every 3-6 months are called “consumables.” They are different to what are referred to as “parts” of a scanner. Consumables are designed this way to maximize the performance of the scanner and are end user replaceable, meaning you don’t have to be tech savvy to perform the operation.
The most common types of consumables are rollers, lamps, and pad assemblies. Depending on the scanner manufacturer (Fujitsu, Bell & Howell, Canon, Panasonic, Kodak, etc..), you may have to replace one or more at least a couple times a year. When a scanner starts jamming or double-feeding paper, the most common cause of this problem is usually worn out consumables. Other imaging problems like: no longer reading bar codes, poor OCR results, or getting an optical alarm can usually be solved by replacing the lamps
When a scanner has a maintenance contract in place, it usually just covers the parts and not the consumables. ImageSource receives a lot of calls from customers asking why the consumables are not covered and parts are. The answer is because the consumables are almost always end-user replaceable and must be replaced much more often than parts. And if your scanner is under maintenance, it’s usually required to have parts replaced by a certified technician. See our blog on benefits of having a maintenance contract.
Not sure where to get parts or consumables for your scanner? Contact ImageSource, they are happy to help!
Andrea Latham, CDIA+
Inside Sales
ImageSource, Inc.
Phone 360.943.9273
