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Tests
5.2
Printer Tests:Paper Balance Test (PBL) and Master Balance Test (MBL)
Prior to production start the machine must be calibrated. Only if Printer and Paper
Processor are perfectly calibrated good prints will come out.
The purpose of the Printer calibration is to adapt the individual elements of the Printer –
print engine, paper and paper processing with respect to each other.
Test prints are exposed for the calibration; these test prints show a 13-step grayscale
(ranging from minimum to maximum density). The densities of the individual steps are
measured with the densitometer integrated in the Minilab. The Printer prints test prints
with updated, newly adapted Printer settings until the grayscale comes out neutral.
We differentiate two types of Printer calibrations:
The Paper Balance test (PBL) refers to a paper configuration. For this paper
–
configuration the Printer is to be adjusted for a neutral print of the grayscale. The
determined calibration data is saved and loaded whenever this paper configuration is
used.
Furthermore this test is used to adjust the maximum intensity of the laser for the three
color channels (red, green, blue); (for further information: see
in this chapter).
The Master Balance test (MBL) refers to all paper configurations. The MBL is printed on
–
the so-called master paper. This is the paper that is used most frequently in the lab.
And the Printer must be adjusted to print a neutral grayscale with this paper
configuration. However, the determined calibration data in this case will be used for all
paper configurations.
The purpose of the MBL is to compensate for system fluctuations (in chemicals,
Printer, etc.).
Based on the changes, which were determined on the master paper between the last
and the current MBL, all other paper configurations (PBL data) are adapted. So, any
change in the MBL influences all paper configurations.
Therefore the MBL offers a possibility to use only one test to compensate for the
system fluctuations for all paper configurations.
(How to define the master paper see
Note
All paper configurations, which are used for production, must be calibrated with a PBL
test.
A PBL must only be printed after a valid MBL!
A paper configuration is defined by width and surface of a paper (see
Editing Paper Configurations
5-2
2005-05-01 / PN 04092_01
Printer Settings
in Chapter 4).
d-lab.2, d-lab.2plus, netlab.2plus: Operation
PBL Test with Laser Point
in Chapter 4.)
Defining and
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