ASTM_F_1856_-_04_2009.pdf

Designation:F185604(Reapproved 2009)Standard Practice forDetermining Toner Usage for Printer Cartridges1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1856;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 practice covers a procedure to determine the weightof toner used for printing a single page derived from anelectrophotographic process.The practice uses a printer texttarget specifically developed for each printer for a pagecoverage of 5 6 0.5%of the printable area.This practicerequires specific tools and skills for disassembling and reas-sembling 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:2F335 Terminology Relating to Electrostatic Imaging3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 toner usageamount of toner(milligrams per print)removed from the toner hopper during the printing of one page.4.Summary of Practice4.1 An electrophotographic printer utilizing an all-in-onesupply cartridge is set up to determine the toner used for asingle page of print.A test page with 5 6 0.5%text printoutput for the control cartridge is used.5%text coverage ofthe printable area is the industry accepted average pagecoverage for office printers.The all-in-one cartridge is disas-sembled to separate the toner hopper from the waste tonercollection bin.The weight of the full toner hopper is measured.A specified number of prints are created on the printer usingthis cartridge and the weight of the used toner hopper ismeasured.The toner used for one print is calculated.Inaddition,the results can be used to estimate the total page yieldof the toner cartridge.A comparison can be made between thetoner used for the control cartridge and any other cartridgetested using this practice.5.Significance and Use5.1 This practice can be used for the evaluation of new andremanufactured toner cartridges and their respective compo-nents used in an electrophotographic process.5.2 This test is suitable for research and development,andquality acceptance evaluations.6.Interferences6.1 Relative humidity can impact test results.The testshould be performed at a controlled temperature and humiditywithin the operating humidity range of the printer.This isusually between 20 and 80%RH.All equipment,and materialsshould be conditioned in the same temperature and relativehumidity for at least 24 h prior to testing.6.2 In comparative cartridge test the same test target(data)and printer must be used.The number of characters and thetype of characters,font and font size have a direct affect ontoner consumption.6.3 The test pattern should not produce uneven wear on thecartridge components as this will affect the test results.6.4 Printer related items such as the power supply,densitycontrol settings,resolution enhancements,toner saver settings,economy mode settings,and laser optics may impact imagequality and toner consumption.6.5 Test printers should be in good mechanical and electri-cal condition.Preferably,printers with a continuous history ofpreventative maintenance should be used.Any printer failurescan invalidate the test.6.6 A calibrated balance must be used to obtain weights.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 Oct.1,2009.Published October 2009.Originallyapproved in 1998.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F1856 041.DOI:10.1520/F1856-04R09.2For 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 6.7 The techniques used for cartridge disassembly shouldavoid toner spillage and ensure accurate toner weight measure-ments.7.Equipment and Materials7.1 Electrophotographic Test Printer,suitable for testingpurposes.7.2 Printer Data System,capable of supplying a 5 6 0.5%text page for the specific test printer based on the controlcartridge(average original printer manufacturers cartridge).This 5 6 0.5%test target data can be create