1、Designation: F 1405 98 (Reapproved 2002)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Dynamic Thermal Response of DirectThermal Imaging ProductsAtlantek Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1405; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoptio
2、n or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method covers the measurement of thermalresponse of various dire
3、ct thermal imaging papers or otherthermal-coated substrates used for facsimile, labels, medicalrecorders, plotters, and printers.1.2 The Atlantek Thermal Response Tester Model 200described in this test method may be used for specificationacceptance, product development, and research applications.1.3
4、 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-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specificpreca
5、utionary statements, see Section 8.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Productsfor Testing2E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study toDetermine the Precision of a Test Method3F 1623 Terminology Relating to Thermal Imaging Prod-ucts2
6、2.2 ANSI Standards:4PH 2.17 Density MeasurementsGeometric Conditions forReflection DensityPH 2.18 Density MeasurementsSpectral Conditions2.3 Operators Manual:Atlantek Operators Manual for Model 200 Thermal Re-sponse Test System53. Terminology3.1 Symbols:3.1.1 Tcyclethe time between printed lines. Th
7、e larger theTcyclevalue, the more time between printed lines. The result isslower print speeds. Smaller Tcyclevalues correspond to fasterprint speeds. Time between printed lines equals dot “on” timeplus dot “off” time (Tcycle= Ton+ Toff).3.1.2 Tonthe amount of time that the heating elements(dots) on
8、 the printhead are energized. Typically, this value is inmilliseconds. Tonis also called strobe time.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method involves imaging direct thermal prod-uct using an Atlantek Model 200 Thermal Response TestSystem. The system is designed to provide thermal responsemeasu
9、rements using printheads commonly used in facsimileunits, label printers, medical recorders, plotters, and otherprinters. This system is based on a special purpose controllerboard which drives a standard thermal printhead and a pro-grammable stepping drive controller. This system includesprovisions
10、for mounting standard performance printheads. Apersonal computer controls the system with parameter pro-gramming accomplished from menu-driven software designedspecifically for thermal response and performance character-izations.4.2 To determine thermal response, thermal product in rollor sheet form
11、 is fed into the printer. From the Main Menu, thetest system is configured to the Test Mode. Again from theMain Menu, Execute a Test is chosen. A standard existing testfile can then be loaded and the New Test can be given a filename or default standard test conditions can be used. The testthermal pr
12、oduct (media) is identified, printhead voltage set, andthe test executed. Densitometer measurements can then beentered into the test file (manually or automatically). Data inthe test file created can then be used to graphically display thethermal response of the test thermal product.5. Significance
13、and Use5.1 The Atlantek test system allows simulation of directthermal printers in the marketplace. Thus, this system is usefulin matching direct thermal product performance to variousprinter configurations.5.2 This test system is useful for new product development.Direct thermal printer manufacture
14、rs can design print controlalgorithms to match particular thermal imaging products.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.06 onCarbonless and Thermal Imaging Products.Current edition approved
15、Feb. 10, 1998. Published October 1998. Originallypublished as F 1405 92. Last previous edition F 1405 93(1997).2Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.3Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.4Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St. 13thFloor, New York, NY 10036.5Av
16、ailable from Atlantek Corp., 10 High St., Wakefield, RI 02879.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.Thermal imaging product manufacturers can formulate anddesign products (media) to provide a match with certain printerdesig
17、ns.5.3 Manufacturing process control can make thermal re-sponse comparisons relative to process changes.5.4 Customers for thermal products can use this test methodto compare supplies from various manufacturers.5.5 The test system can be used to evaluate thermal re-sponse of facsimile, label, medical
18、 recorder, plotter, and otherdirect thermal products (media).5.6 Performance differences between printheads and mediacombinations can be measured and presented graphically.6. Interferences6.1 Testing under controlled environmental conditions isrecommended. Wide variations in temperature and relative
19、humidity can effect image density measurements.6.2 Printhead loading and alignment is important to achievereliable and reproducible results.6.3 When testing new and experimental coatings, the print-head must be visually inspected for any residue or buildup andcleaned if required. Residue may prevent
20、 intimate printheadcontact with the thermal imaging surface, resulting in lowerimage density and may cause printhead damage.6.4 Thermal products are sensitive to prolonged exposure tolight and should be protected from exposure prior to testing.7. Apparatus7.1 Atlantek Thermal Response Test System, M
21、odel 200.37.2 IBM PC/AT, or true compatible with the followingconfiguration: 512K RAM minimum, 12 mhz clock, 20 mega-byte hard disk, 1.2 M floppy disk, standard keyboard, mono-chrome or color system, parallel port (two required for plottingoption) and serial port (two required for automatic densitom
22、-eter readings).7.3 Densitometer, Macbeth Model RD-914 (spectral re-sponse: black and white, visual) or equivalent. A serial inter-face is required for entering density measurements automati-cally to the test data file.7.4 Software, Tech*Graph*Pad6or equivalent (optional forplotting graphs).7.5 Plot
23、ter, HP Colorpro with Centronics parallel printer orequivalent to prepare graphs.8. Hazards8.1 Printhead VoltageKeep applied voltage at or belowthat specified for each printhead to avoid printhead damage.Before powering up the system and applying power, thevoltage adjustment knob on the front panel
24、should be turnedfully counter-clockwise. This ensures that applied voltage willbe below the maximum value recommended for the printhead.8.2 The Tcyclevalue must be at least four times the Tonvaluewhen in full-width printing mode or two times the Tonvalue inreduced-width mode. The operating system so
25、ftware checksfor this value.8.3 Maximum Tonvaries with printhead resistance. See thetable from the Atlantek Operators Manual for supplied print-head to ensure that the maximum value is not exceeded.8.4 Prior to running a nonstandard test, consult documenta-tion for each printhead with regard to maxi
26、mum recommendedTon, energy, and printhead voltages.8.5 Changing PrintheadsNever attempt printhead re-placement with the power on. The printhead should first beelectrically disconnected from the printer by removing theprinthead interface and printhead power connectors on the leftside panel of the mec
27、hanism.8.6 Computer ConnectionsDo not make or break anyconnections while the computer is powered up.9. Test Specimen9.1 The test specimen (media) shall be sheets or a roll ofthermal product which has not been adulterated since it wasmanufactured.9.2 Test specimens in sheet form should be cut into in
28、di-vidual strips 812 in. wide with a recommended length of 13 in.(minimum length is 11 in.).9.2.1 If test specimens are less than 812 in. in width with aminimum width of 4 in., they can be tested by enablingReduced Width and Narrow Header. To initiate this changefrom the Test Menu, strike F8, Config
29、ure Output Image.10. Calibration and Standardization10.1 DensitometerCalibrate the densitometer in accor-dance with the manufacturers recommendations.10.2 Printhead Dot Line AlignmentAdjust the printheaddot line alignment over the platen roller and set in accordancewith the manufacturers recommendat
30、ions.10.3 Printhead PressureMeasure the printhead pressurewith a force gage and set in the range from 7 to 8.5 lb (see Note1). The pressure measurement is not precise. If the pressure isin this range, do not adjust.11. Conditioning11.1 Although no special conditioning of thermal productsamples is re
31、quired, it would be prudent to compare only testsrun under the same environmental and aging conditions (seeMethod D 685).NOTE 1Since the nominal printhead width is 8.5 in., the pressureshould be 0.8 to 1.0 lb/linear in.12. Establishment of Test Parameters12.1 ROHM KF2008-B1 and Kyocera KST-216-8MPD1
32、Thermal PrintheadsSee the table from the Atlantek OperatorManual for recommended nominal printhead voltages forvarious resistances of the supplied printheads. Set TcycleandTonas specified for each printhead and set printhead tempera-ture at 27.5C (Head HeatingOn).NOTE 2There is no provision for prin
33、thead cooling.13. Procedure13.1 With the computer powered up and the printerswitched on, the Entry Screen will appear on the monitor.Select Thermal Response Test and strike the Enter key.6Available from Binary Engineering Software, Inc., 400 Fifth Ave., Waltham,MA 02154.F 1405 98 (2002)2NOTE 3Before
34、 striking the Enter key again, insert a formatted,high-density diskette into Drive A. This diskette is required for test anddata storage.13.2 The next screen message is to switch on the thermalresponse test system before striking the Enter key. Striking anyother key will return the program to DOS.13
35、.3 Upon striking the Enter key, the computer will checkfor the presence of a formatted diskette in Drive A and presentthe Main System Menu. The monitor screen will appear asshown in Fig. 1.13.4 Configure Test SystemChoose Configure Test Systemby striking the F8 key. The screen will appear as shown i
36、n Fig.2. From this menu, select Option F1, Enable Test System.Strike the F1 key and the screen will return to the Main SystemMenu.13.5 Test Specimen LoadingThe software test programrefers to the thermal product test specimen as media.13.5.1 Roll FormSee Fig. 3 for a side view of the testapparatus. S
37、upport the media roll on the spindle and thread themedia under the metal bar (C) and between the printheadassembly and platen roller. The thermal imaging surface mustbe facing up. When roll media threading is complete, align themedia under the printhead. Next, rotate the cam lever down toplace the p
38、rinthead in contact with the media imaging surface.13.5.2 Sheet FormLoading the media is similar to theprocedure described in 13.5.1. Again the thermal imagingsurface must be facing up and a little more care is needed toproperly align the media between the printhead assembly andplaten roller. When s
39、heet threading is complete, rotate the camlever down to place the printhead in contact with the mediaimaging surface.13.6 Execute a TestChoose Execute a Test by striking theF1 key. The following prompt will appear:You may now load an existing file or define a new file bytyping in a File Name of up t
40、o 8 alphanumeric characters:13.6.1 Name a new test file and enter test parametersestablished in Section 12 or recall an existing test file withestablished test parameters.13.6.2 If the file name is not found on the diskette, thescreen will go directly to the Test Menu which will display thestandard
41、default settings for the installed printhead.13.6.3 If the file name is found on the diskette, the followingscreen prompt will appear:The parameters have been loaded from the existing file,please type the name of the file into which you wish to savethis test (up to 8 alphanumeric characters):Type Ne
42、w File Name: _Upon entering the new file name, the Test Menu will appear onthe screen.13.7 Test MenuScreen appears as shown in Fig. 4.13.7.1 Test ParametersA wide variety of test parametersare available with this test unit. For example, test parametersmight be selected as given in Table 1.13.7.2 Cha
43、nging and Defining Test ParametersIf the testparameters as defined in the Test Menu are correct, proceed to13.7.3.13.7.2.1 Pattern TypeChoose the pattern type option bystriking the F2 key and the following prompt will appear:Do you wish to change Test Pattern type? (Y/N): _If Yes, the menu appears a
44、s shown in Fig. 5. Choose thecheckerboard pattern by striking the F1 key and the new menuwill appear as shown in Fig. 6. Choose 10 % pattern by strikingthe F1 key and the screen will return to the Test Menu.13.7.2.2 Dot Pulse Duration(Ton)Choose the dot pulseduration (Ton) option by striking the F3
45、key. The followingprompt will appear:Do you wish to sequence this parameter? (Y/N): _FIG. 1 Main System MenuFIG. 2 Configure Test SystemFIG. 3 Atlantek Model 200 (Side View) Test Specimen (Media)LoadingRoll FormF 1405 98 (2002)3Select Yes and the following prompt appears:You have chosen to sequence
46、the Dot Pulse DurationPlease type the maximum value of this parameter inmilliseconds (0.01 to 2.0):? _Enter the desired value and the following message appears:This parameter will be sequenced from 10 % value to100 % (100 % representing the value just typed in) in stepsof 10 %. This will appear as a
47、 single 8 by 11 sheet with 10fields of output appearing as horizontal stripes for eachvalue in the sequence and with increasing values appearingalong the paper direction.Strike any key to continue Striking any key returns the screen to the Test Menu.13.7.2.3 TcycleChoose the Tcycleoption by striking
48、 the F4key and the following prompt appears:Do you wish to sequence this parameter? (Y/N): _Select No and the screen appears as shown in Fig. 7. Choosethe desired option and the screen returns to the Test Menu.13.7.2.4 Printhead TemperatureA printhead set tempera-ture above that of room temperature
49、should be established tocontrol this variable. The Head Heating and Waiting forPrinthead Temperature options should be toggled On (F6 andF7 keys, respectively).13.7.3 Printhead VoltageCheck head measurement valueand adjust printhead voltage to desired value.NOTE 4If the adjusted value is greater than 10 % above the nominalvoltage, the operating system issues a warning.13.7.4 Do the Above Defined TestIf the test parameters asdefined in the Test Menu are correct, strike the F5 key to enterMedia Type (identification of therm
