QA BULLETINS (click here to return to List)

1. OVERVIEW

Daily and Weekly Testing procedures for Printer Quality Assurance are outlined in this bulletin.

2. NEW RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1. PRINTER DAILY TESTS

The printer daily testing should be done for the PAPER only. TEST C is used for Tests of the MASTER PAPER CHANNEL. Corrections are input either with the online densitometer (TEST M) or manually (TDM OFF, TDPA).

When prompted whether to make these changes to all subchannels, Y should be answered. This will apply the same correction made in the MASTER to all SUBCHANNELS linked with the MASTER PAP. However, other formats (sizes) may require a larger (or smaller) correction.

• Important paper channels should each be checked individually using the TEST C procedure.

Subchannels should be tested after corrections have been made in the Master (which may affect subchannels if linked). To avoid this problem, unlink PAP in channels of formats different than the master paper channel or answer N when prompted whether to transfer changes to subchannels after storing the master.

2.2. PRINTER WEEKLY TESTS

For an effective weekly test a roll of Film representative of the master film channel should be available. Shots on this roll should have some slope behavior (unders 4,3,2, 1, normals, overs 1,2,3,4) to challenge the printing system, as normals print fine most of the time.

Print this roll with DX code enabled (insuring it is printed not printed in default) after the daily testing has been completed (2.1. above).

• Visual comparison of printer performance week by week (and printer history)
• Visual comparison of matching with other printers.

For additional information, the TEST C prints should be saved also.

2.3. PAPER MATRIX EVALUATION

If results obtained in 2.2. above show that a particular printer has significant deviations from the previous week and/or from other printers, the paper matrix should be evaluated and/or run.

3. FREQUENCY of running PAPER MATRIX (PMX)

The intervals of running the Paper Matrix can be derived from the weekly printer matching test (2.2. above). FINISys INC recommends that the Matrix is only run when:

• Matching to previous week and/or other printers is poor
• Hardware components have been changed (Filter Unit, Scanner, Pre-Filter, Scanner or Filter Unit circuit boards)
• Maintenance has done calibrations or repair of Scanner or Filter Unit.

Running the Paper matrix on an exception basis only will save considerable paper and time.

4. FREQUENCY of running BASIC SLOPE (PS0)

The Basic Slope is primarily dependent on the behavior of the scanning system of the Printer, and is not expected to change much over the course of an year. FINISys INC recommends to run the Basic Slope only if matching still cannot be achieved after having redone the Paper Matrix.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For details on Paper Matrix evaluation consult QA BULLETIN FNS-QA-006

This page last modified: May 08, 1997
copyright FINISys Inc. 1997, author: R. Ganahl