Model-Based Calibration System for Direct Thermal Printing

W. Vetterling[1], and Z. Peng[1]
[1]Zink Imaging, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
Published in 2009

This document describes a method for maintaining the long-term calibration of a full color direct thermal printer. An essential component of the system is a thermal model created using COMSOL Multiphysics that allows fitting of color data recorded at different temperatures and exposure times to model results for the same conditions. The fitted results reveal the depth and thickness of color dye layers embedded in the medium, and the Arrhenius parameters characterizing their thermal response. These quantities can then be used as control parameters for maintaining long term consistency in the media manufacturing.

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