ASTM_F_1943_-_98_2003.pdf

Designation:F 1943 98(Reapproved 2003)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Dynamic Thermal Response of ThermalMass Transfer Ribbon ProductsAtlantek Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1943;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 measurement of thermalresponse of various thermal mass transfer ribbons used forfacsimile,labels,medical recorders,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.Although this test method identifies specific printheads,thetester does support additional printheads.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.For specificprecautionary statements,see Section 8.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Productsfor Testing2F 1405 Test Method for Determining the Dynamic ThermalResponse of Direct Thermal Imaging Products-AtlantekMethod22.2ANSI Standards:3PH2.17 Density MeasurementsGeometric Conditions forReflection DensityPH2.18 Density MeasurementsSpectral Conditions3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 back coating,nthe coating placed on the noninkedside of a thermal transfer ribbon which imparts abrasionresistance to enhance printhead life and prevents the printheadfrom sticking to the polyester carrier.3.1.2 receptor,nthe surface upon which the transfer isplaced which may be paper,film or fabric.3.1.3 thermal mass transfer product,npaper,film,orother substrate upon which multi-component coatings havebeen applied.The imaging components on the transfer side ofthe products are generally a pigmented wax or resin.Underheat from the thermal head and pressure roll the image istransferred to a receptor surface.The non-printing side of theseribbons contains a backcoating,which imparts abrasion resis-tance to enhance printhead life.3.1.4 thermal response,nthe relationship between thethermal image optical density(y-axis)versus printhead energy(x-axis).Printhead energy is a function of both pulse width(strobe time or Ton)expressed in milliseconds(ms)and energyexpressed in millijoules(mJ).When energy is expressed inmillijoules,printhead resistance is taken into account.Thermalresponse plots are commonly prepared both ways.The latter ispreferred.3.2 Symbols:3.2.1 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).3.2.2 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 mass thermal transferproduct using an Atlantek Model 200 Thermal Response TestSystem.The equipment is the same as that covered in TestMethod F 1405.The equipment differs from that used in TestMethod F 1405 in that it contains apparatus to allow forthermal ribbon supply and take-up rolls(see Fig.1).Thesystem is designed to provide thermal response measurementsusing printheads commonly used in facsimile units,labelprinters,medical recorders,plotters,and other thermal printers.This system is based on a special purpose controller board,which drives a standard thermal printer using a programmablestepping drive controller.This system includes provisions formounting standard performance printheads.A personal com-puter controls the system with parameter programming accom-plished from menu-driven software designed specifically forthermal response and performance characterizations.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.02 on InkedTransfer Imaging Products.Current edition approved Dec.10,1998.Published March 1999.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol.15.09.3Available from the American National Standards Institute,11 West 42nd St.,New York,NY 10036.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.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 the mainmenu,“execute a test”is chosen.A standard existing test filecan then be loaded and the new test can be given a fil