1、Designation: F 596 82 (Reapproved 2003)Standard Practice forComparative Evaluation of the Imaging Properties of DryElectrostatic Toners1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 596; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case o
2、f 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.INTRODUCTIONThis practice is a pragmatic test for the user who can obtain meaningful results without the
3、need forsophisticated instrumentation.1. Scope1.1 This practice covers a method of testing by which theuser can prepare a test for dry electrostatic toners used incopiers, which has significance to their specific copying needsand suggests ways in which test prints may be made and usedfor each evalua
4、tion.1.2 Additional evaluation of image characteristics are cov-ered in Practice F 807 and Test Method F 875.1.3 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
5、 and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 8 forspecific hazards statements.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F 335 Terminology Relating to Electrostatic CopyingF 360 Practice for Image Evaluation of Electrostatic Busi-ness Cop
6、iesF 470 Practice for Caking Temperature of Dry ElectrostaticTonerF 807 Practice for Determining Resolution Capability ofOffice CopiersF 875 Test Method for Evaluation of Large Area Densityand Background on Office Copiers3. Terminology3.1 Definitions: Refer to Terminology F 335.4. Summary of Practic
7、e4.1 This practice involves the comparative evaluation of oneor more toner supplies by subjectively rating a number ofsignificant characteristics of imaged copies made under con-trolled conditions on a dry toner electrostatic copier.5. Significance and Use5.1 Subjective comparative evaluation of cop
8、ies made fromthe same test original (or originals) can be used to determinethe usefulness of a given dry toner supply in a specific userapplication.6. Interferences6.1 Many copy systems are subject to variations due tofluctuation of line voltage. It is conceivable that such fluctua-tions may cause a
9、 normally useful system to give poor results.It is recommended that a stable and dedicated electrical line beused for testing purposes or the manufacturer of the equipmentshould be consulted regarding the need for voltage-stabilizingdevices, which can usually be installed easily.6.2 Results from a c
10、opy system can vary, depending uponthe length of time the system has been operating. The first printafter a system has been shut down for a prolonged time periodcan be of different quality than subsequent imaged copies madeafter some time of operation.6.3 Variations in copy system performance after
11、continuouscopying over relatively long periods, for example several hoursor more, can occur. It is recommended that the test procedurebe repeated if significant variation in the copy system perfor-mance occurs.6.4 Variations in copy system performance can occur as aresult of copier adjustments, for
12、example, before and afterservice calls.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessCopy Products, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.04 onElectrostatic Copy Products.Current edition approved Oct. 29, 1982. Published December 1982. Originallypublished a
13、s F 596 78. Last previous edition F 596 78.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.For 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 p
14、age onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.6.5 Excessively high or low relative humidity can also causevariation in performance not encountered under normal condi-tions.6.6 All tests should be conducted in
15、 the same copier, duringthe same relative time period and environmental conditions.6.7 Dry toner supplies are often purchasable from severalsources and can affect the results of a given copy system. If thesample of dry toner selected shows evidence of caking (seePractice F 470) which cannot be easil
16、y broken up with a softbrush, it should be rejected and another sample used.6.8 Paper supplies can be purchased from several sourcesand also can affect results of a given copy system. The usershould use only the grade and weight of paper recommendedby the copier manufacturer when evaluating one or m
17、ore drytoner supplies. All paper supplies utilized should be from thesame manufacturing source, and the user should try to use allpaper supplies from the same production number (provided oneis listed). Some inherent variability within the paper may affectimage quality evaluation as will certain unin
18、tentional paperdefects. Some variability may be encountered from one roll tothe next or from one package of sheets to a second package,and sometimes within a package.6.9 Variations in toner concentration in those copiers wheremechanical adjustment of toner flow rate is available stronglyaffect copy
19、quality and should be minimized to the extent madeavailable by the mechanics of the copy system.7. Apparatus7.1 This practice requires the use of a specifically designedvacuum cleaner suitable to removing every speck of toner andcarrier from bond copying equipment which requires high-powered cleanin
20、g.38. Hazards8.1 This practice is intended to orient the user towardobserving meaningful and significant characteristics of imagedcopies obtained from a limited number of imaged copies. Itdoes not encompass those defects which the user should beaware of such as deterioration, abrasion or scratching,
21、 or otheradverse actions which could reduce the effectiveness of theoperation of the copier with the test toner supplies. Themanufacturer of the test toner supplies should be consultedprior to the evaluation of the supplies in order to ascertain whatlong-term functional testing (including compatabil
22、ity resultswith the copier and current reference toner supplies used by theuser) has been performed by the test toner supplier on thatparticular model copier the user possesses. The manufacturerof the copier should also be contacted prior to any test shouldany question of consequential damages to th
23、e copier beinvolved.8.2 Many dry toner copier manufacturers require that onlytrained service people should be permitted access to specificinternal copier components. Prior to any testing, the manufac-turer of the copier should be consulted as to which componentsor copier areas, or both (if any), the
24、 consumer may have accessto for visual evaluation of toner build-up and use of the vacuumcleaner. It may be necessary for the user to require the copiermanufacturers service people to perform all necessary com-ponent clean-up. Should this step be required, the user shouldbe present to observe and re
25、cord all observations regarding thismaintenance step.9. Sampling9.1 Sampling is not applicable to this practice.10. Procedure10.1 Before beginning this practice comparison, read, un-derstand, and follow the manufacturers instructions on theoperation of the copier. The toner being evaluated is best t
26、estedin a copy system at the site of its proposed installation underthe line voltage conditions that would normally apply. The testtarget should be prepared as described in Practice F 360,Section 6.10.2 Clean the copier using the vacuum cleaner. Refer to 8.1and 8.2. Cleaning should encompass all tra
27、nsport systems,corona wires (using a recommended brush), the developer unit,etc. Follow all of the copier manufacturers instructions per-taining to cleaning and maintenance.10.3 Once the copier and toner developer system is visuallyclean and reassembled into the copier, the user should imageseveral
28、copies using any test target. If an image or anyextraneous toner deposits are visible on either the front or backsides, repeat 10.2 and 10.3 until the imaged copies show noimages.10.4 Load the reference supplies into the copier. Follow themanufacturers directions for adjustments of the various con-t
29、rols, if any are present.10.5 Turn on the copier and if required, allow severalminutes for warm-up.10.6 Set the exposure control, if one is provided, to eitherend of the exposure range.10.7 Using the prepared test target, make a copy. Record theexposure setting, time (if desired), and date on the co
30、py.10.8 Image copies at various exposure settings. Record thesetting, time, environmental conditions, sequence number, anddate on each copy. The operator each time should move theexposure setting in the same direction on the exposure controldevice when preparing a sequence of imaged copies. Thestart
31、ing point on the exposure control device should always beat the same point for each set of copies.10.9 Determine the copier setting that, in your opinion, isthe one yielding the best appearing copy. This is referred to asthe “optimum copy.”10.10 At this optimum setting, image the number of copiestha
32、t would constitute a normal length of run. This will allowcomparison of toner uniformity as well as the toner replenish-ment system. Place or set the test original into the copier in thesame orientation each time.10.11 At the optimum setting, reverse the orientation of thetest subject placed or set
33、into the copier and make a copy. Thiscopy can then be compared to previous copies to determine theeffect of subject orientation variations. Record all pertinentinformation on this copy such as exposure setting, time, date,and test target orientation for possible future reference.3A Copy Vac Model 99
34、9-21 Dry Vacuum Cleaner is available from CopyliteProducts, 2890 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.F 596 82 (2003)210.12 Image a sufficient number of copies at the optimumsetting, that would constitute a very large copy run, forexample 500 to several thousand. Care should be taken duringthis t
35、est by the user to follow any recommended maintenancesteps by the copier manufacturer, for example changing elec-trostatic masters, etc. if this step is part of the copier mechan-ics. During the course of this long-range test sequence, the usershould note and record the following observations:10.12.
36、1 Any jamming encountered including the number ofand location,10.12.2 Cleanliness of the copy on both the imaged andback sides,10.12.3 Odor from the fusing section of the copier, and10.12.4 The user if possible, should inspect the toner in thedeveloper unit at random intervals to ascertain any forma
37、tionof caking or hard lumps. Should any build-up of toner cakingbe observed that cannot be easily broken up with a lightbrushing using a soft brush, this result is considered unsatis-factory.10.13 During this large copy run, the special features thatare included on the test copier should be operated
38、 to determinethe range of toner capability. These special features mayinclude light document control, colored background control,image reduction or enlargement control, duplexing control, etc.10.14 At the end of the large copy run, the user shouldinspect the accessible copier internal components and
39、 recordany tone buildup, deposits on the various copier components.The user should record the location of any buildups and shouldrate any observations using the following recommended ratingscale: 5light, 3medium, and 1heavy.10.15 To test a different lot or type of toner from the sameor from another
40、supplier (see 8.1) remove the toner system inthe copier using the cleaning technique outlined in 10.2 and10.3.10.16 When the copier and the toner developing system isclean, add the supplies to be tested according to the suppliersrecommendation, and make a set of copies for comparison tothe previousl
41、y made reference set (10.1 through 10.13).11. Interpretation of Results11.1 In evaluating the short and long run results from a tonerunder test in a copying machine, examine the following points(or those the user anticipates are pertinent to their particularcopying needs) and compare to the referenc
42、e toner. In thelong-copy run evaluation, the user may want to only inspecteither every 50th, 100th, 200th, etc., imaged copy.11.1.1 Density, apparent optical contrast, or relative black-ness of characters.11.1.2 Development of large solid image areas; are theyfilled in evenly, or is there a density
43、variation?11.1.3 Color and cleanliness of background.11.1.4 Freedom from objectionable face or backmarkingcharacteristics when compared to the reference toner supplies.11.1.5 Uniformity of the imaged copy compared to the testtarget.11.1.6 Fidelity of the imaged copy to the test target.11.1.7 Distort
44、ion of characters.11.1.8 Smudge characteristics upon removing the imagedcopy from the copier or in a stack of copies. To evaluate thischaracteristic, lay a single imaged copy face up on a suitableflat surface. The evaluator should gently but firmly, slide eitherthe palm of the hand or the fingers ac
45、ross the imaged surface.Movement across the imaged surface should cover letterimaged areas, solid black-filled areas, and gray areas on thecopy. Both the reference and the test toner supplies should beevaluated in the same manner and relative time frame.11.1.9 Freedom from feathering (blasting) of t
46、he images.11.1.10 Reproduction of colored lines and characteristics.11.1.11 Reproduction of pictorial illustrations.11.1.12 Freedom from objectionable odor, particularly inthose copiers employing heat-fusing techniques.11.1.13 Any black-density variation of imaged letter char-acteristics or solid bl
47、ack areas during the long-imaged copyrun.11.1.14 Sharpness or freedom from bridging.11.1.15 Resolution. The user should be aware that resolu-tion is not related solely to toner. Although the copier opticalsystem and photoconductor are vitally important factors, it ispossible for the user to measure
48、toner contribution to resolutionby holding copier conditions constant.11.1.16 Toner build-up, deposits, or any bead or granularcarry-out, etc., on the various copier components and beneath,around the copier. If the copier is a table top version the usershould also inspect the table top for any toner
49、, bead, or granulardeposition.11.1.17 Jamming of the copy paper. The user should beaware that this defect may be a result of toner throw-outdepositing in critical transport pathways or to deposits on feedrollers due to duplexing.11.1.18 Variations may exist from copier to copier withidentical model designations, and from one copier to anotherdue to run lengths, a possible variety of test originals, customerpreference in contrast, etc. These parameters, coupled with thedifficulty of measurement techniques, make quantification ofyield (number of copies per weight of toner sys
