forming an area of good electrical contact on a photoconductor drum , having a non - conductive layer , by means of a laser beam leads to a reduction in the loss rate in the manufacturing process . the area of electrical contact is introduced without the use of caustic or corrosive chemicals and without the production of waste products , such as metal powder or spend chemicals . the drums produced by the process are free of scratches which arise from other methods , free of chemical residues in the area of electrical contact , and have an area of electrical contact which is even and smooth .