1、Designation: F1405 08 (Reapproved 2013)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Dynamic Thermal Response of DirectThermal Imaging ProductsAtlantek Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1405; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption
2、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 test method covers the measurement of thermalresponse of various direct
3、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 Th
4、e values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard; values specific to the Atlantek Thermal ResponseTester Model 200 are in SI units.1.4 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 st
5、andard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specificprecautionary statements, see Section 8.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Productsfor TestingE691
6、Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study toDetermine the Precision of a Test MethodF1623 Terminology Relating to Thermal Imaging Products2.2 ANSI Standards:3PH 2.17 Density MeasurementsGeometric Conditions forReflection DensityPH 2.18 Density MeasurementsSpectral Conditions2.3 Operators Manu
7、al:Atlantek Operators Manual for Model 200 Thermal Re-sponse Test System43. Terminology3.1 Symbols:3.1.1 Tcyclethe time between printed lines. The larger theTcyclevalue, the more time between printed lines. The result isslower print speeds. Smaller Tcyclevalues correspond to fasterprint speeds. Time
8、 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 the printhead are energized. Typically, this value is inmilliseconds. Tonis also called strobe time.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method involves
9、 imaging direct thermal prod-uct using an Atlantek Model 200 Thermal Response TestSystem. The system is designed to provide thermal responsemeasurements using printheads commonly used in facsimileunits, label printers, medical recorders, plotters, and otherprinters. This system is based on a special
10、 purpose controllerboard which drives a standard thermal printhead and a pro-grammable stepping drive controller. This system includesprovisions for mounting standard performance printheads. Apersonal computer controls the system with parameter pro-gramming accomplished from menu-driven software des
11、ignedspecifically for thermal response and performance character-izations.4.2 To determine thermal response, thermal product in rollor sheet form 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
12、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 product (media) is identified, printhead voltage set, andthe test executed. Densitometer measurements can then beentered into the test file (manually or auto
13、matically). Data in1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.06 onCarbonless and Thermal Imaging Products.Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published April 2013. Originallyapproved in 1992.
14、Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F1405 08. DOI:10.1520/F1405-08R13.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onth
15、e ASTM website.3Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http:/www.ansi.org.4Available from Printrex, 276 East Gish Rd., San Jose, CA 95112, http:/ ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-29
16、59. United States1the test file created can then be used to graphically display thethermal response of the test thermal product.5. Significance and Use5.1 The Atlantek test system allows simulation of directthermal printers in the marketplace. Thus, this system is usefulin matching direct thermal pr
17、oduct performance to variousprinter configurations.5.2 This test system is useful for new product development.Direct thermal printer manufacturers can design print controlalgorithms to match particular thermal imaging products.Thermal imaging product manufacturers can formulate anddesign products (m
18、edia) to provide a match with certain printerdesigns.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 evalu
19、ate thermal re-sponse of facsimile, label, medical 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 isrecomm
20、ended. Wide variations in temperature and relativehumidity 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 b
21、uildup andcleaned if required. Residue may prevent 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. App
22、aratus7.1 Atlantek Thermal Response Test System, Model 200.47.2 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) an
23、d serial port (two required for automatic densitom-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*Pad or
24、 equivalent (optional forplotting graphs).7.5 Plotter, 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 pow
25、er, thevoltage adjustment knob on the front panel 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 Tonv
26、alue inreduced-width mode. The operating system software 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 doc
27、umenta-tion for each printhead with regard to maximum recommendedTon, energy, and printhead voltages.8.5 Changing PrintheadsNever attempt printhead replace-ment with the power on. The printhead should first beelectrically disconnected from the printer by removing theprinthead interface and printhead
28、 power connectors on the leftside panel of the mechanism.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
29、Test specimens in sheet form should be cut into indi-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 initiat
30、e this changefrom the Test Menu, strike F8, Configure 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 s
31、et in accordancewith the manufacturers recommendations.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 sp
32、ecial conditioning of thermal productsamples is required, it would be prudent to compare only testsrun under the same environmental and aging conditions (seeMethod D685).NOTE 1Since the nominal printhead width is 8.5 in., the pressureshould be 0.8 to 1.0 lb/linear in.F1405 08 (2013)212. Establishmen
33、t of Test Parameters12.1 ROHM KF2008-B1 and Kyocera KST-216-8MPD1Thermal PrintheadsSee the table from the Atlantek Opera-tors Manual for recommended nominal printhead voltages forvarious resistances of the supplied printheads. Set TcycleandTonas specified for each printhead and set printhead tempera
34、-ture at 27.5C (Head HeatingOn).NOTE 2There is no provision for printhead 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.NOTE 3Before striking the Enter key again, in
35、sert 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.13.3 Upon striking the Enter key, t
36、he 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 in Fig.2. From this menu, select O
37、ption 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. Support the media roll on the spin
38、dle 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 printhead in contact with the medi
39、a 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 sheet threading is complete, rotat
40、e 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 to 8 alphanumeric characters:13.6.
41、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 default settings for the installe
42、d 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 New File Name: _Upon entering the n
43、ew file name, the Test Menu will appearon the screen.FIG. 1 Main System MenuFIG. 2 Configure Test SystemFIG. 3 Atlantek Model 200 (Side View) Test Specimen (Media)LoadingRoll FormF1405 08 (2013)313.7 Test MenuScreen appears as shown in Fig. 4.13.7.1 Test ParametersA wide variety of test parametersar
44、e available with this test unit. For example, test parametersmight be selected as given in Table 1.13.7.2 Changing 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
45、 the following prompt will appear:Do you wish to change Test Pattern type? (Y/N): _If Yes, the menu appears as 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 t
46、o the Test Menu.13.7.2.2 Dot Pulse Duration (Ton)Choose the dot pulseduration (Ton) option by striking the F3 key. The followingprompt will appear:Do you wish to sequence this parameter? (Y/N): _Select Yes and the following prompt appears:You have chosen to sequence the Dot Pulse DurationPlease type
47、 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 single 8 by 11 sheet with 10fiel
48、ds 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 the F4key and the following prom
49、pt appears:Do you wish to sequence this parameter? (Y/N): _FIG. 4 Test MenuTABLE 1 Example Test ParametersParametersROHMKF2008-B1Kyocera KST-216-8MPD1Pattern type: 10 %Dot pulse duration ( Ton) Sequence up to 0.50 or 1.00 msTcycle5.000 msHead heating (on/off) OnWaiting for printhead temperature YesPrinthead voltage See 12.1FIG. 5 Pattern TypeFIG. 6 Setting the Test PatternF1405 08 (2013)4Select No and the screen appears as shown in Fig. 7. Choosethe desired option and the screen returns to the Te
