ASTM_F_153_-_95_2002.pdf

Designation:F 153 95(Reapproved 2002)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Yield of Wide Inked Computer Ribbons1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 153;the number immediately following the designation indicates 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 test method covers the determination of the yield ofa wide(7 to 17 in.in width)inked computer ribbon.1.2 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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 3460 Specification for White Watermarked,Unwater-marked Bond,Mimeograph,Duplicator,and XerographicCut-Sized Office Papers2F 221 Terminology Relating to Carbon Paper and InkedRibbon Products and Images Made Therefrom2F 909 Terminology Relating to Printers2F 1174 Practice for the Use of the Personal ComputerPrinter as a Test Instrument2F 1232 Practice for Determination of Character Yield forSingle-Pass Film Ribbons22.2ANSI Standards:PH 2.17 Density MeasurementsGeometric Conditions forReflection Density3PH 2.18 Density MeasurementsSpectral Conditions33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 end-of-life point,nthe point at which the imagequality produced from an inked computer ribbon is determinedto be incomprehensible,expressed in terms of optical density.Prior to testing,the concerned parties mutually determine anend-of-life-point.3.1.2 yield,nthe end-of-life point of an inked computerribbon,expressed as the number of printed lines.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method consists of testing a computer ribbonunder actual use conditions by employing a high-speed printerto use the ribbon to an end-of-life point.All tests are to bemade consecutively on the same printer,using the same typefont,program,impact,alignment,forms,forms-thickness set-ting,and manufacturers lot,grade,and basis weight of paper.5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method is used to determine the yield(ex-pressed in the number of printed lines)obtainable under actualuse conditions on a given computer ribbon of a definite length.5.2 This test method is suitable for service evaluation andresearch and development.6.Interferences6.1 Many printers are subject to imaging system variationsdue to fluctuation of line voltage.Voltage stabilizing devicesmay be used.If a stabilizing device is not used,tests should berun where the line load is low or stabilized.6.2 The densitometer reading may also vary with voltagefluctuations.Use the same instructions as in 6.1.6.3 Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can affect thepaper used for image reception.Tests run on different dayscould show variation in results.All tests should be dated,withtemperature and relative humidity recorded.6.4 The printing element of the printer gradually wearsunder use,which may cause variation in the results.During thecourse of a test,it is recommended that the printing element beperiodically inspected,cleaned,calibrated,or replaced,and anyof these actions recorded.6.5 The optical density of the paper may cause variations inthe results.Ensure that the paper is optically uniform(within0.01 optical density units),without background print.6.6 The type of paper used may cause variation in theresults.Ensure that paper from the same manufacturer,lot,basis weight,and grade is used.7.Apparatus and Materials7.1 Printer,using the ribbons to conduct yield test.7.2 Reflection DensitometerA reflection densitometermeeting the geometric condition of ANSI PH 2.17 and thespectral conditions of ANSI PH 2.18.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F05 on BusinessCopy Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.02 on InkedTransfer Imaging Products.Current edition approved Sept.10,1995.Published March 1996.Originallypublished as F 153 72.Last previous edition F 153 88.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 15.09.3Available from American National Standards Institute,11 W.42nd St.,13thFloor,New York,NY 10036.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.7.3 Paper,in accordance with Specification D 3460,Type 4,bond in roll or continuous form,single part.Other paper,asnormally used in typewriters or printers may also be selected.7.3.1 Ensure that the paper is optically uniform(within 0.03optical density units),without background print.7.3.2 Ensure that paper from the same lot and of the samebasis weight and grade is used in all comparison tests as thepaper may affect the result.8.Test Specimen8.1 The test ribbons should be entire ribbons or a knownportion of each.It is advisable that if a portion is used,that theybe