1、Designation: F1443 93 (Reapproved 2009)Standard Practice forUsing 0.008-in. (0.203-mm) Aperture Reflectometers as TestInstruments for Measuring Visual Image Quality of BusinessCopy Images1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1443; the number immediately following the designation indi
2、cates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This practice covers the use of the reflec
3、tance-typeoptical character testers with a 0.008-in. (0.203-mm) apertureas test instruments for measuring image quality.1.2 Although other systems may be available, this practicecovers two of the most commonly used instruments; theClearwave 082 Optical Character Tester2and the MacbethPrint Contrast
4、Meter.31.3 These instruments also have the capability of predictingmachine readability of documents. This practice does notaddress this capability.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are
5、 provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica
6、-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:4F497 Practice for Use of the Electric and Electronic Type-writer as a Test InstrumentF597 Practice for Evaluation of One-Time Carbon Paper inCarbon-Interleaved Business Forms by Use of an ElectricTypewriterF686
7、 Practice for Evaluation of Image Quality Produced byCarbonless Copy Paper with an Electric or ElectronicTypewriterF1033 Test Method for Comparing Lift-Off Correction Me-diaF1125 Terminology of Image Quality in Impact PrintingSystemsF1174 Practice for Using a Personal Computer Printer as aTest Instr
8、umentF1175 Practice for Using the Computer Impact Print-OutUnit as a Test Instrument for Manifold Comparison3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsRefer to Terminology F1125 for definitionsof terms applicable to this practice.4. Summary Of Practice4.1 This practice describes the use of small-aperture (0.008-i
9、n.) (0.203-mm) reflectance meters in evaluating business copyimages from any source including but not limited to copiers,printers, typewriters, and facsimile machines. Image qualitycharacteristics common to all systems include reflectance,sharpness, cleanliness, and character width. Other characteri
10、s-tics may be evaluated depending on the imaging method.4.2 The 0.008-in. (0.203-mm) optical character testersequipped with a one-to-one lens option have the ability to1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subco
11、mmittee F05.03 onResearch.Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published October 2009. Originallyapproved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F1443 93(2003).DOI: 10.1520/F1443-93R09.2The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this timeis Clearwave Inc., 870
12、1 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (formerly manu-factured by Moore). If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide thisinformation to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receivecareful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee,1whichyou may a
13、ttend.3The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this timeis Macbeth, Division of Kollmorgen Instruments Corp., 405 Little Britain Rd., NewWindsor, NY 12553-6148. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please providethis information to ASTM International Headquarters.
14、Your comments will receivecareful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee,1whichyou may attend.4For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refe
15、r to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United StatesNOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.Contact ASTM International (www.ast
16、m.org) for the latest information1examine large areas for average reflectance in the 1 mode andmake measurements of small localized spots within these areasin the 20 mode. The graduated projection viewing screenallows accurate measurements of objects within the viewingarea in the 5 or 20 mode.4.3 Pl
17、ace the sample so that the image to be measured isover the 0.008-in. (0.203-mm) target area as observed on theviewing screen or in the viewing port. Reflectance values canbe read out directly on the digital meter. This capability may beused to measure reflectance of printed characters, base paper,or
18、 areas in which characters have been corrected, or combina-tion thereof.4.4 Images for evaluation are produced by various systemsusing ASTM standards where available. When standards arenot available, knowledge of the imaging system and itscharacteristics should be applied. Although the test patternu
19、sed will depend on the ASTM standard being used, a typicalpattern is shown in Fig. 1.5. Significance and Use5.1 This practice enables image quality evaluation onsamples generated by various imaging systems. It can be usedto conduct investigations, including image reflectance,sharpness, voids, charac
20、ter width, and degradation of materials.The test instruments can be used for research and developmentprojects as well as for manufacturing control.6. Interferences6.1 Variations in paper surfaces and thickness will affectsome print quality parameters. If sheeted paper is used, the usershould be awar
21、e that sheet to sheet smoothness and brightnessvariations within a ream may have a significant effect, particu-larly on reflectance readings. Most papers contain a felt and awire side that have different surface smoothness levels and thisin turn can also affect test results.6.2 The frequency between
22、 calibration may affect reflec-tance readings. The use of a voltage regulator for those nothaving one built in will minimize drift and eliminate variationsin line voltage which could affect reflectance measurements.6.3 Evaluation equipment cleanliness is important for accu-rate readings. Users shoul
23、d follow manufacturers recom-mended cleaning procedures.6.4 Imaging system used, and the various settings on it canaffect the results.6.5 Differences in the skill level of the tester and differencesbetween instruments may affect the measurements.6.6 Some reflectance type optical character testers co
24、ntainoptical filters. The spectral response of filters can change withtime.Although the calibration procedure guarantees calibrationwhen reading black/white images, it does not on coloredimages.6.7 Heat generated by the lamps of both the 082A2andPCM II3can damage samples that contain thermally sensi
25、tivematerials such as direct thermal paper and samples employingtoners for the image. Reflectance readings can be taken butcare must be employed to prevent damage or alteration to thesamples during the measurement.6.8 Care must be maintained when moving the imagedspecimen on the instrument, so as no
26、t to mar the image.7. Apparatus and Materials7.1 Clearwave Optical Character Tester:7.1.1 Clearwave 082A,5with the 20 magnification andone-to-one lens options (see Fig. 2),7.1.2 Voltage Regulator (115 or 230 V), for the availableline voltage (optional), and7.1.3 Barium Sulfate Calibration Standard a
27、nd White Ce-ramic Tile.7.2 Macbeth Print Contrast Meter:7.2.1 Macbeth PCM II6(see Fig. 3), and7.2.2 Barium Sulfate Calibration Standard.5“Clearwave Model 082A Optical Tester Instruction Manual,” available fromClearwave Inc., 8701 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14304.FIG. 1 Test Pattern for Image Qu
28、ality EvaluationFIG. 2 Clearwave Optical Character Tester (082)2F1443 93 (2009)28. Test Specimens8.1 Prepare the test specimens using the procedure outlinedin 10.2 for the imaging system. A type font should be selectedso the 0.008-in. (0.203-mm) aperture area will fit within theprinted character bou
29、ndaries.8.2 Generate the test specimen in accordance with theinstructions given in the test procedure chosen for the printingsystem concerned. A printing systems self test pattern may beused or a standard test pattern as shown in Fig. 1.9. Calibration9.1 Clearwave 082:9.1.1 The “visual neutral” filt
30、er and “0.008-in. (0.203-mm)aperture” should be in the appropriate holders in the filter/aperture box, located at the rear of the instrument. In instru-ments containing the optional filter wheel, the “visual neutral”filter may be selected by rotating the wheel to the appropriateposition. Refer to th
31、e instruments operators manual forfurther information on the operation of the unit.5,69.1.2 Be sure filters are in place, as prolonged use withoutfilters can damage the photomultiplier. Depress the main powerswitch ON. Allow 30 min warm-up time. Refer to the instru-ments operators manual for further
32、 information on theoperation of the unit.9.1.3 Depress the VISIBLE/IR switch to VISIBLE.9.1.4 Depress REFL/PCS switch to REFL.9.1.5 Set sensitivity selector at Position 1.9.1.6 Set 1:1 lens system to 20 magnification and be sureit is positively seated (on testers equipped with 1:1 lensoption).9.1.7
33、Clear the document stage viewing port of any obstruc-tions. Zero the instrument with a screwdriver by rotating thezero adjust control for a zero reading on the display meterwhile nothing is over aperture.9.1.8 Be sure the barium sulfate calibration tablet is cleanand free of scratches.9.1.9 Place th
34、e barium sulfate calibration tablet over theviewing port and adjust with the calibration control to read1.00. (Do not use the zero adjust control.)9.1.10 The inability to adjust either the calibration reflectionor zero potentiometer usually indicates the 50-W lamp shouldbe replaced.9.2 Macbeth PCM I
35、I:9.2.1 Set the filter select switch to the visible filter position(Standard Response A).9.2.2 Depress the main power switch ON. Allow at least 5min warm-up time.9.2.3 Operate %R/PCS button so that the %R light is on.9.2.4 The PCM II3has no operator adjustment for the zerocalibration check. Calibrat
36、e the instrument by placing a freshlypressed or commercially available BaSO4(barium sulfate)tablet in the measuring port and adjusting the instrument toread 100 % with the SET REFLECTANCE potentiometer ifnecessary. If the barium sulfate calibration tablet is used, besure it is clean and free of scra
37、tches.9.3 Image GenerationGenerate the image following theprocedure described in the appropriate ASTM standard.9.3.1 Use Practice F497 for images from an electric type-writer.9.3.2 Use Practice F597 for images from one time carbonpaper.9.3.3 Use Practice F686 for images from carbonless copypaper.9.3
38、.4 Use Practice F1174 for images from a personal com-puter.9.3.5 Use Practice F1175 for images from a computerimpact printer.9.3.6 UseTest Method F1033 for evaluation of effectivenessof image correction systems.9.3.7 For preparation of images from other imagingsystems, knowledge of the imaging syste
39、m and its character-istics should be applied.10. Conditioning10.1 Condition all test samples in accordance with thedirections given in the test method being used.11. Procedure11.1 Visual Reflectance MeasurementTo measure the im-age visual reflectance, place the image to be measured on thedocument st
40、age so the circle in the center of the viewing screenis on the center of the image. This circle encompasses a0.008-in. (0.203-mm) diameter on the document. The docu-ment to be measured should always be backed with the blackpressure pad when using the 082 or black spring-loaded sampleholder when usin
41、g the PCM.311.1.1 The reflectance measurement is the amount of per-ceptible light reflected from the sample within the 5.03 by105-in.2area at the center of the screen as compared to aknown value. This known value is the barium sulfate standard.11.1.2 Move the sample print until the 0.008-in. (0.203-
42、mm)circle is centered on the area being measured. Record the6“Macbeth Print Contrast Meter, PCM 11 Operations Manual,” available fromMacbeth, 405 Little Britain Rd., New Windsor, NY 12553-6148.FIG. 3 Macbeth Print Contrast Meter (PCM II)3F1443 93 (2009)3reflectance reading. A minimum of ten readings
43、 must be takenin order to obtain meaningful results. With the capital “I” testpattern, the preferred test method is to make five equallyspaced readings each on five different Is and average thetwenty-five readings. Include the highest value, lowest value,and standard deviation of the twenty-five rea
44、dings.11.1.2.1 Some instruments like the PCM II3and 082A2allow for automatic calculation of the print contrast signal(subtract the percent reflectance of imprint from the percentreflectance of background, then divide this difference by thepercent reflectance of background). See the individual instru
45、-ment operations manual for the correct procedure of automaticcalculation.11.2 Image EvaluationEstablish ranking order or comparewith the control or known system using the following subjec-tive criteria.11.2.1 Additional comparisons should be made based onstandards for individual imaging systems.11.
46、2.2 Terminology F1125 may be used as a guide fordefining image defects.12. Identification12.1 For the identification of printed images, the followingis suggested:12.1.1 Image system identification,12.1.2 Image supplies identification, if applicable,12.1.3 Paper type, lot number, basis weight, grade,
47、 andwhich side was printed (wire or felt),12.1.4 Date/time,12.1.5 Operator identification, and12.1.6 Reflectometer description, including serial numbers,settings, and filter used.13. Report13.1 Include image measurements made under magnifica-tion and background. These will include the average, highe
48、stvalue, lowest value, and standard deviation.14. Keywords14.1 Clearwave 082A densitometer; image quality; Mac-beth PCM II; reflectionASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standa
49、rd are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the riskof infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeti
