1、Designation: F 1943 98 (Reapproved 2003)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Dynamic Thermal Response of ThermalMass Transfer Ribbon ProductsAtlantek Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1943; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal a
2、doption 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 variou
3、s thermal mass transfer ribbons used forfacsimile, labels, medical recorders, 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.Although this test method ident
4、ifies specific printheads, thetester does support additional printheads.1.3 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 th
5、e applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specificprecautionary statements, see Section 8.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Productsfor Testing2F 1405 Test Method for Determining the Dynamic ThermalResponse of Direct Thermal
6、Imaging Products - AtlantekMethod22.2 ANSI Standards:3PH2.17 Density MeasurementsGeometric Conditions forReflection DensityPH2.18 Density MeasurementsSpectral Conditions3. Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 back coating, nthe coating placed on the noninkedside of a thermal transfer ribbon which impart
7、s abrasionresistance to enhance printhead life and prevents the printheadfrom sticking to the polyester carrier.3.1.2 receptor, nthe surface upon which the transfer isplaced which may be paper, film or fabric.3.1.3 thermal mass transfer product, npaper, film, orother substrate upon which multi-compo
8、nent coatings havebeen applied. The imaging components on the transfer side ofthe products are generally a pigmented wax or resin. Underheat from the thermal head and pressure roll the image istransferred to a receptor surface. The non-printing side of theseribbons contains a backcoating, which impa
9、rts abrasion resis-tance to enhance printhead life.3.1.4 thermal response, nthe relationship between thethermal image optical density (y-axis) versus printhead energy(x-axis). Printhead energy is a function of both pulse width(strobe time or Ton) expressed in milliseconds (ms) and energyexpressed in
10、 millijoules (mJ). When energy is expressed inmillijoules, printhead resistance is taken into account. Thermalresponse plots are commonly prepared both ways. The latter ispreferred.3.2 Symbols:3.2.1 Tcyclethe time between printed lines. The larger theTcyclevalue, the more time between printed lines.
11、 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).3.2.2 Tonthe amount of time that the heating elements(dots) on the printhead are energized. Typically, this value is inmillis
12、econds. Tonis also called strobe time.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method involves imaging mass thermal transferproduct using an Atlantek Model 200 Thermal Response TestSystem. The equipment is the same as that covered in TestMethod F 1405. The equipment differs from that used in TestMetho
13、d F 1405 in that it contains apparatus to allow forthermal ribbon supply and take-up rolls (see Fig. 1). Thesystem is designed to provide thermal response measurementsusing printheads commonly used in facsimile units, labelprinters, medical recorders, plotters, and other thermal printers.This system
14、 is based on a special purpose controller board,which drives a standard thermal printer using a programmablestepping drive controller. This system includes provisions formounting standard performance printheads. A personal com-puter controls the system with parameter programming accom-plished from m
15、enu-driven software designed specifically forthermal response and performance characterizations.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.02 on InkedTransfer Imaging Products.Current edition appr
16、oved Dec. 10, 1998. Published March 1999.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 15.09.3Available from the American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St.,New York, NY 10036.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.4.2 To
17、 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 the mainmenu, “execute a test” is chosen. A standard existing test filecan then be loaded and the new test can be given a file name
18、or default standard test conditions can be used. The test thermalproduct (media) is identified, printhead voltage set, and the testexecuted. Densitometer measurements can then be entered intothe test file (manually or automatically). Data in the test filecreated can then be used to graphically displ
19、ay the thermalresponse of the test thermal product.5. Significance and Use5.1 The Atlantek test system allows simulation of theprinting conditions of thermal transfer printers in the market-place. Thus, this system is useful in matching thermal transferproduct performance to various thermal printhea
20、ds.5.2 This test system is useful for new product development.Thermal transfer printer manufacturers can design print controlalgorithms to match particular printhead designs to thermalimaging products.5.2.1 Thermal imaging product manufacturers can formu-late and design products (media) to provide a
21、 match withcertain printhead designs.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-s
22、ponse of facsimile, label, medical recorder, plotter, and otherthermal transfer products (media).5.6 Performance differences between printheads and mediacombinations can be measured and presented graphically. Theinterrelationship between printing control variables can also bestudied.6. Interferences
23、6.1 Testing under controlled environmental conditions isrecommended. Wide variations in temperature and relativehumidity can effect transfer efficiency and the resulting imagedensity measurements.6.2 Printhead loading and alignment is important to achievereliable and reproducible results.6.3 When te
24、sting new and experimental coatings, the print-head must be visually inspected for any residue or buildup andcleaned if required. Residue may prevent intimate printheadcontact with the thermal imaging transfer product surface,resulting in lower image density on the receptor and may causeprinthead da
25、mage.6.4 Thermal transfer products are sensitive to prolongedexposure to heat and should be protected from exposure priorto testing.6.5 The receptors surface smoothness has a direct impact ofthe transfer efficiency.7. Apparatus7.1 Atlantek Thermal Response Test System, Model 200.3.7.2 IBM, PC/AT, or
26、 true compatible with the followingminimum configuration: 512K RAM, 12 MHz clock, 20megabyte hard disk, 1.2M floppy disk, standard keyboard,monochrome or color system, parallel port (two required forplotting option) and serial port (two required for automaticdensitometer readings).FIG. 1 Atlantek Mo
27、del 200 (Side View) Test Specimen (Media) LoadingRoll FormF 1943 98 (2003)27.3 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 *Gr
28、aph*Pad4or 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 a
29、pplying power, thevoltage adjustment shown 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 As a guideline, the Tcyclevalue should be at least fourtimes the Tonvalue when in full-width print
30、ing mode or twotimes the Tonvalue in reduced-width mode. The operatingsystem software checks for this value. The actual relationshipwill depend upon the installed printhead.8.3 Maximum Tonvaries with printhead resistance. See tablefrom the Atlantek Operators Manual5for supplied printhead toensure th
31、at the maximum value is not exceeded.8.4 Prior to running a nonstandard test, consult the docu-mentation for each printhead with regard to maximum recom-mended Tonenergy, and printhead voltages.8.5 Changing PrintheadsNever attempt printhead re-placement with the power on in the M200 system. Theprint
32、head should first be electrically disconnected from theprinter by removing the printhead interface and printheadpower connectors on the left side panel of the mechanism.8.6 Computer ConnectionsDo not make or break anyconnections while the computer is powered up and the Model200 is on.8.7 Printhead D
33、amageAvoid having the printhead comein direct contact with uncoated papers since it could causepremature printhead abrasive failure. The ribbon should coveras much of the printhead as possible during normal operationto minimize the possibility of printhead damage.9. Test Specimen9.1 The test specime
34、n (media) shall be sheets or a roll ofthermal transfer product which has not been altered since it wasmanufactured.9.2 Test specimens in sheet form for the standard Model 200should be cut into individual strips 8-12 in. wide with arecommended length of 13 in. (minimum length is 11 in.). TheModel 200
35、 system also supports printheads of different widthsand resolutions which will impact the width and length of thetest sheet.9.2.1 If test specimens are less than 8-12 in. in width with aminimum width of 4 in., they can be tested by enabling“reduced width” and “narrow header.” To initiate this change
36、from the test menu strike F8, “configure output image.”10. Calibration and Standardization10.1 DensitometerCalibrate the densitometer in accor-dance with the manufacturers recommendations (see ANSIPH2.17 and PH2.18).10.2 Printhead Dot Line AlignmentAdjust the printheaddot line alignment over the pla
37、ten roller and set 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.NOTE 1Since the nom
38、inal printhead width is 8.5 in., the pressureshould be 0.8 to 1.20 lb/linear in.10.4 Ribbon TensioningThe tension on the supply andtake-up spools are adjustable in the Model 200 by turning thescrew that is located in each of the ribbon arbors. The tensionsetting can be measured by using a force dial
39、. Factory settingfor the ribbon tension is 6 oz for the supply spool and 10 oz forthe take-up spool.10.5 Ribbon Peel AngleThe Model 200 operates at a fixedpeel angle for ribbon take-up. The equipment manufacturerdoes not believe that peel angle has a significant impact onimage quality as long as it
40、is between 20 - 70.10.6 Thermalhead ResistanceThe system should be cali-brated periodically by measuring the resistance of the thermalprinthead. The equipment may be calibrated by the manufac-turer or the end user. Excessive printhead energy, uncheckedresidue buildup and high ion content supplies ar
41、e primarilyresponsible for printheads changing their average resistancevalue over time.11. Conditioning11.1 Although no special conditioning of thermal productsamples is required, it would be prudent to compare only testsrun under the same environmental and aging conditions (seePractice D 685).12. E
42、stablishment of Test Parameters12.1 ROHN KF2008-B1 and Kyocera KST-216-8MPD1Thermal PrintheadsSee the table from the Atlantek OperatorManual for recommended nominal printhead voltages forvarious resistances of the supplied printhead. Set Tcycleand Tonas specified for each printhead and set printhead
43、 temperature at35C (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. SelectThermal Response Test and strike the Enter key.13.2 The next screen message is to switch
44、 on the thermalresponse test system before striking the Enter key. Striking anyother key will return the program to DOS.4Available from Binary Engineering Software, Inc., 400 Fifth Ave., Waltham,MA 02154.5Atlantek Operators Manual for Model 200 Thermal Response Test System,available from Atlantek Co
45、rp., 10 High St., Wakefield, RI 02879.F 1943 98 (2003)313.3 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. 2.13.4 Configure Test SystemChoose Configure Test System
46、by striking the F8 key. The screen will appear as shown in Fig.3. From this menu, selection option F1, Enable Test System.Strike the F1 key and the screen will return to the main systemmenu.NOTE 3Before striking the Enter key again the operator has the optionto insert a formatted, high-density diske
47、tte into Drive A. In some of theolder versions of the Model 200 this diskette is required for tests and datastorage.13.5 Test Specimen LoadingThe software test programrefers to the thermal product test specimen as media.13.5.1 Roll Form MediaSee Fig. 1 for a side view of thetest apparatus. Mount the
48、 two appropriately sized core plugsinto the ends of the core, slide the mounting shaft through thecenter and insert the shaft into the slots in the supply mounts atthe rear of the mechanism. Core plugs are provided for 1, 1.5and 2in. cores. Be sure that the brush side of the back tensionplate is in
49、contact with the roll of media.13.5.1.1 The thermal ribbon imaging surface (inked side)must be facing down as it passes between the printhead andplaten roller. Printhead pressure should be released by rotatingthe cam lever on the right side of the head mounting mecha-nism up (counter clockwise). Feed the ribbon around bar “B,”between the printhead and receptor stock, around bar “D” andover to the empty take-up core. Tape the start of the ribbon tothe take-up core. Center the ribbon by adjusting the ribbon stopplate. Wind enough ribbon onto the take
