ASTM_F_2632_-_07_2013e1.pdf

Designation:F263207(Reapproved 2013)1Standard Practice forDetermining the Toner Usage for Color Printer Cartridges1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2632;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.1NOTERevised the units presentation and added a units statement editorially in April 2013.1.Scope1.1 This practice describes the procedure to determine theweight of toner used for printing a single page using anelectrophotographic color printing process.This practice uses asolid area 5%page coverage target for each color.Thispractice requires specific tools and skills for disassembling andreassembling printer cartridges.1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.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 the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F1206 Test Method for Evaluating Color Image Output fromColor Printers and CopiersF1856 Practice for Determining Toner Usage for PrinterCartridges3.Summary of Practice3.1 An electrophotographic printer using color toner supplycartridges or all-in-one toner cartridges is set up to determinethe toner usage for a single page.A test target page with 5%solid area of each toner cartridge color is used.5%coverageof the printable area for each color is the accepted average pagecoverage for office printers.Office color printers are used toproduce color graphic images and photographs along with text.3.2 The all-in-one toner cartridges are disassembled toseparate the toner hopper from the waste toner collection bin.The weight of the full toner hopper is measured.A specifiednumber of 5%coverage prints are created at specific testintervals.The weight of each hopper is measured at thebeginning and end of each test interval.The toner used for onepage is calculated.The results can be used to estimate the totalpage yield of the color toner cartridge.A comparison can bemade between the toner usage for the control cartridges andany other cartridges tested.3.3 Print quality,print density,and color measurement testtargets can be printed only when the specified 5%coveragetest intervals are not being printed.4.Significance and Use4.1 This practice can be used for the evaluation of new andremanufactured color toner cartridges and their respectivecomponents used in an electrophotographic process.4.2 This practice is suitable for research and developmentand for quality acceptance evaluations.5.Interferences5.1 Relative humidity can impact test results.The testsshould be performed at a controlled temperature and humiditywithin the operating humidity range of the printer.This isusually between 20%and 80%relative humidity(RH).Allequipment and materials should be conditioned in the sametemperature and relative humidity for at least 24 h prior totesting.5.2 In a comparative cartridge test,the same test target(data)and the same printer must be used.Same model printerscan have significant toner usage variations under the sameenvironmental conditions.5.3 The test target should not produce uneven wear on thecartridge components as this will affect the test results.Adjustthe location of the printed areas to create an even distribution.5.4 The software used to make the test target should causethe printer to print the pure color from each color cartridge.This ensures that only toner from one cartridge is used toproduce the color on the test target.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.04 onElectrostatic Imaging Products.Current edition approved April 1,2013.Published April 2013.Originallyapproved in 2007.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F263207.DOI:10.1520/F2632-07R13E01.2For 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.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.5 Printer related items such as the power supply,densitycontrol settings,resolution enhancements,toner saver settings,economy mode settings,color calibration,and laser optics mayimpact image quality and toner usage.5.6 Test printers should be in good mechanical and electri-cal condition.Preferably,printers with a continuous h