1、Designation: F 1443 93 (Reapproved 2003)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 F 1443; the number immediately following the designation in
2、dicates 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This practice covers the use of the ref
3、lectance-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 Contra
4、st 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 the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are forinformation only.1.5 This standa
5、rd 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.2. Referenced Documents2.1 AST
6、M Standards:F 497 Practice for Use of the Electric Typewriter as a TestInstrument4F 597 Practice for Evaluation of One-Time Carbon Paper inCarbon-Interleaved Business Forms by Use of an ElectricTypewriter4F 686 Practice for Evaluation of Image Quality Produced bya Carbonless Copy Paper with an Elect
7、ric and ElectronicTypewriter4F 1033 Test Method for Comparing Lift-Off CorrectionMedia4F 1125 Terminology of Image Quality in Impact PrintingSystems4F 1174 Practice for Using a Personal Computer as a TestInstrument4F 1175 Practice for Using the Computer Impact Print-OutUnit as a Test Instrument for
8、Manifold Comparison43. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsRefer to Terminology F 1125 for defini-tions of terms applicable to this practice.4. Summary Of Practice4.1 This practice describes the use of small-aperture (0.008-in.) (0.203-mm) reflectance meters in evaluating business copyimages from any source i
9、ncluding but not limited to copiers,printers, typewriters, and facsimile machines. Image qualitycharacteristics common to all systems include reflectance,sharpness, cleanliness, and character width. Other characteris-tics may be evaluated depending on the imaging method.4.2 The 0.008-in. (0.203-mm)
10、optical character testersequipped with a one-to-one lens option have the ability toexamine large areas for average reflectance in the 13 modeand make measurements of small localized spots within theseareas in the 203 mode. The graduated projection viewingscreen allows accurate measurements of object
11、s within theviewing area in the 53 or 203 mode.4.3 Place 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 mea
12、sure reflectance of printed characters, base paper,or 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 itscharacte
13、ristics should be applied. Although the test pattern1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.03onResearch.Current edition approved April 15, 1993. Published August 1993. Originallypublished as F 14
14、43 92. Last previous edition F 1443 92.2Formerly manufactured by Moore, this tester is currently available fromClearwave Inc., 8701 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14304.3Available from Macbeth, Division of Kollmorgen Instruments Corp., 405 LittleBritain Rd., New Windsor, NY 12553-6148.4Annual Book
15、of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.used 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 evaluat
16、ion onsamples generated by various imaging systems. It can be usedto conduct investigations, including image reflectance, sharp-ness, voids, character width, and degradation of materials. Thetest instruments can be used for research and developmentprojects as well as for manufacturing control.6. Int
17、erferences6.1 Variations in paper surfaces and thickness will affectsome print quality parameters. If sheeted paper is used, the usershould be aware that sheet to sheet smoothness and brightnessvariations within a ream may have a significant effect, particu-larly on reflectance readings. Most papers
18、 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 calibration may affect reflec-tance readings. The use of a voltage regulator for those nothaving one built in will minimize drift and eliminate variatio
19、nsin line voltage which could affect reflectance measurements.6.3 Evaluation equipment cleanliness is important for accu-rate readings. Users should follow manufacturers recom-mended cleaning procedures.6.4 Imaging system used, and the various settings on it canaffect the results.6.5 Differences in
20、the skill level of the tester and differencesbetween instruments may affect the measurements.6.6 Some reflectance type optical character testers containoptical filters. The spectral response of filters can change withtime. Although the calibration procedure guarantees calibrationwhen reading black/w
21、hite images, it does not on coloredimages.6.7 Heat generated by the lamps of both the 082A2andPCM II3can damage samples that contain thermally sensitivematerials such as direct thermal paper and samples employingtoners for the image. Reflectance readings can be taken butcare must be employed to prev
22、ent damage or alteration to thesamples during the measurement.6.8 Care must be maintained when moving the imagedspecimen on the instrument, so as not to mar the image.7. Apparatus and Materials7.1 Clearwave Optical Character Tester:7.1.1 Clearwave 082A,5with the 203 magnification andone-to-one lens
23、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 and 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.8. Test Specime
24、ns8.1 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 boundaries.8.2 Generate the test specimen in accordance with theinstructions given in the test pro
25、cedure 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” filter and “0.008-in. (0.203-mm)aperture” should be in the appropriate holders in the filter/apertu
26、re 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 the instruments operators manual forfurther information on the operation of the unit.565“Clearwav
27、e Model 082A Optical Tester Instruction Manual,” available fromClearwave Inc6“Macbeth Print Contrast Meter, PCM 11 Operations Manual,” available fromMacbeth.FIG. 1 Test Pattern for Image Quality Evaluation FIG. 2 Clearwave Optical Character Tester (082)2F 1443 93 (2003)29.1.2 Be sure filters are in
28、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 information on theoperation of the unit.9.1.3 Depress the VISIBLE/IR switch to VISIBLE.9.1.4 Depress REFL/PCS swit
29、ch to REFL.9.1.5 Set sensitivity selector at Position 1.9.1.6 Set 1:1 lens system to 203 magnification and be sureit is positively seated (on testers equipped with 1:1 lensoption).9.1.7 Clear the document stage viewing port of any obstruc-tions. Zero the instrument with a screwdriver by rotating the
30、zero 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 the barium sulfate calibration tablet over theviewing port and adjust with the calibration control to read1.00. (Do
31、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 II:9.2.1 Set the filter select switch to the visible filter position(Standard Response A).9.2.2 Depress the main po
32、wer 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. Calibrate the instrument by placing a freshlypressed or commercially available BaSO4(barium sulfate) tab-let in the measur
33、ing port and adjusting the instrument to read100 % with the SET REFLECTANCE potentiometer if neces-sary. If the barium sulfate calibration tablet is used, be sure itis clean and free of scratches.9.3 Image GenerationGenerate the image following theprocedure described in the appropriate ASTM standard
34、.9.3.1 Use Practice F 497 for images from an electric type-writer.9.3.2 Use Practice F 597 for images from one time carbonpaper.9.3.3 Use Practice F 686 for images from carbonless copypaper.9.3.4 Use Practice F 1174 for images from a personalcomputer.9.3.5 Use Practice F 1175 for images from a compu
35、terimpact printer.9.3.6 Use Test Method F 1033 for evaluation of effective-ness of image correction systems.9.3.7 For preparation of images from other imaging sys-tems, knowledge of the imaging system and its characteristicsshould be applied.10. Conditioning10.1 Condition all test samples in accorda
36、nce 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 stage so the circle in the center of the viewing screenis on the center of the image. This circle encompa
37、sses 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 using the PCM.311.1.1 The reflectance measurement is the amount of per-ceptible light reflected from the sa
38、mple 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-mm)circle is centered on the area being measured. Record thereflectance reading. A minimum of ten readi
39、ngs 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
40、readings.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 ins
41、tru-ment operations manual for the correct procedure of automaticcalculation.11.2 Image EvaluationEstablish ranking order or com-pare with the control or known system using the followingsubjective criteria.11.2.1 Additional comparisons should be made based onstandards for individual imaging systems.
42、11.2.2 Terminology F 1125 may be used as a guide fordefining image defects.12. Identification12.1 For the identification of printed images, the followingis suggested:FIG. 3 Macbeth Print Contrast Meter (PCM II)3F 1443 93 (2003)312.1.1 Image system identification,12.1.2 Image supplies identification,
43、 if applicable,12.1.3 Paper type, lot number, basis weight, grade, 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 ma
44、gnifica-tion and background. These will include the average, highestvalue, 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 connec
45、tion with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standard 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 responsib
46、le 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 con
47、sideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100
48、Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).F 1443 93 (2003)4
