ASTM_F_1405_-_08_2013.pdf

Designation:F140508(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 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 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 The 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 standard 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 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 Manual: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 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 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 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 designedspecifically 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 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 automatically).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.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 onthe 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 19428-2959.United States1 the 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 product 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 pr