A study of the conventional method of producing spreads and chokes and the new technology by using orbital motion (micro-modifier)

(1)

Theses

Thesis/Dissertation Collections

9-1-1981

A study of the conventional method of producing

spreads and chokes and the new technology by

using orbital motion (micro-modifier)

Sze-Men Lui

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Recommended Citation

(2)

by

Sze-Men Lui

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the

School of

Printing

in the

College of Graphic Arts and

Photography

of the Rochester Institute of

Technology

September, 1981

Thesis advisor: Associate Professor Bekir E.

Arpag

t Micro-modifier is the trademark of equipment manufactured

by

(3)

C

ERT I FICAT E

O

F APPR

OVAL

MASTE

R tS

THESIS

T

h

is i

s to c

e r tify

t

ha t the M

aster' s

Th

esis o

f

S

ze

-

Men Lu

i

with

a

m

aj or i

n

P

rin t i

n

g T

echnol ogy

ha

s been

a

p p roved by th

e T

hes is

Co

mmittee

as s

a tis factor y

fo

r the the

s is re

q u ireme n t f

or

the M

aster o

f

Sc

ie n ce degr

ee a

t the

c

on v ocation

o

f S

e ptember , 1981

.

The

s is Co

mmitt

ee :

Bekir Arpag

T

hesis a

dvisor

Joseph Noga

G

r adu a te

a

d visor

(4)

(5)

I wish to acknowledge _my warm appreciation to the

following

per

sons who have so _generously responded with their

help

_{for making} this thesis possible:

Professor Bekir E.

Arpag,

Professor Walter A.

Campbell,

Professor Joseph L.

Noga,

Professor Julius L. Silver.

A special note of thanks is extended to _my advisor Professor Bekir

E.

Arpag

for his

kindly

assistance and advice. Appreciation is also

expressed to Professor Joseph L. Noga for _{his many} suggestions and

his provision of some of the equipment and materials used in this study.

Also

deep

thanks to Professor Walter A. Campbell and Professor Julius

L. Silver for their careful review of this thesis.

And I cannot forget the School of

Printing

of the Rochester Insti

tute of

Technology

which gave me this valuable educational experience.

Finally,

more than anyone _else, I

heartily

thank _my _parents, Mr.

and Mrs.

Sai-Ying

Lui for their

love,

encouragement and for

teaching

me that I could do _anything _successfully if I wanted it and _really

worked hard at it.

(6)

Page

LIST OF TABLES V

LIST OF FIGURES xiv

Chapter

I INTRODUCTION 1

Purpose 2

Definition of Terms 3

Footnotes for Chapter I 7

II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE: THEORETICAL BASIS 9

Conventional

Contacting

Method 10

Micro-modifier Method 15

Spread and Choke Scales 17

Important Considerations of

Making

Spreads and Chokes 18

Footnotes for Chapter II 22

III THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM 23

Hypotheses 23

Methodology

23

Test Objectives 25

IV EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS 28

Interpretation of Results 28

Recording

Sheets 30

How to Evaluate the Results and How to Use the

Prediction Equation 61

Summary

of Results 63

Footnotes for Chapter IV 65

V CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 66

Conclusions 66

Recommendations 70

(7)

APPENDIX A. SUMMARY OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

APPENDIX B. COST FACTORS OF MICRO-MODIFIER AND CONTACTING METHOD IN THE EXPERIMENTS OF THIS THESIS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

72

301

304

(8)

1.

Recording

_Sheets of Micro-modifier Method #1

Experiment (Ml). ₃₀

2.

Recording

Sheets of Micro-modifier Method #2

Experiment (M2). ₃₃

3.

Recording

Experiment (M3). 36

4.

Recording

Experiment (M4). 39

5.

Recording

Experiment (M5). 42

6.

Recording

Sheets of

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment (CI). ₄₆

7.

Recording

Sheets of

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment (C2). 49

8.

Recording

Sheets of

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment (C3). 52

9.

Recording

Sheets of

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment (C4). 55

10.

Recording

Sheets of

Contacting

Method #5

Experiment (C5). 58

11. Comparison Table of Spreads and Chokes

by

Micro-modifier Method and

Contacting

Method Due to

Resolution,

Printing

Sharpness,

Dot

Gain,

Base

Density

and Contrast. 64

12. Practical and Reliable Prediction Equation for

Making

Spread or Choke in Micro-modifier

Method. 68

13. Practical and Reliable Prediction Equation for

(9)

APPENDIX

-TABLES

Al. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Intensity

and Spread

in Micro-modifier Method #1 Experiment. 73

A2. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Intensity

and Spread

in

Contacting

Method #1 Experiment. 75

A3. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Resolution and Spread

A4. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A5. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Spread in Micro-modifier Method #1

Experiment. 81

A6. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Spread in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 83

A7. ANOVA

Summary

Table for pH and Spread in

Micro-modifier Method #1 Experiment. 85

A8. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A9. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Spread in Micro-modifier Method #1 Experiment. 89

A10. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Spread in

Contacting

All. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Contrast and Spread

A12. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A13. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Dot Gain and

A14. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Dot Gain and

Spread in

Contacting

(10)

A15. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Intensity

and Choke

A16. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Intensity

and Choke

in

Contacting

A17. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Resolution and Choke

A18. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A19. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #1 Experiment. 109 A20. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Choke in

Contacting

Method #1 Experiment. Ill A21. ANOVA

Summary

Table for pH and Choke in

A22. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A23. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Choke in Micro-modifier Method #1 Experiment. 117

A24. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Choke in

Contacting

A25. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Contrast and Choke

A26. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A27. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Dot Gain and Choke

A28. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A29. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Exposure Time and

(11)

A30. ANOVA

Summary

Spread in

Contacting

A31. ANOVA

Summary

A32. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A33. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Spread in Micro-modifier Method #2 Experiment. 137

A34. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Spread in

Contacting

A35. ANOVA

Summary

A36. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A37. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

A38. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Spread in

Contacting

A39. ANOVA

Summary

A40. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A41. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Dot Gain and Spread

A42. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A43. ANOVA

Summary

A44. ANOVA

Summary

Choke in

Contacting

(12)

A45. ANOVA

Summary

A46. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A47. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and _{Choke in Micro-modifier Method} _{#2 Experiment.} 165

A48. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Choke in

Contacting

A49. ANOVA

Summary

A50. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A51. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

A52. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Choke in

Contacting

A53. ANOVA

Summary

A54. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A55. ANOVA

Summary

A56. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A57. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Time and

A58. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Time and

Spread in Contacting'_{Method #3 Experiment.} ₁₈₇

A59. ANOVA

Summary

(13)

A60. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A61. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

A62. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Spread in

Contacting

A63. ANOVA

Summary

A64. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A65. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

A66. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Spread in

Contacting

A67. ANOVA

Summary

A68. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A69. ANOVA

Summary

A70. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A71. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Time and

A72. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Time and

Choke in

Contacting

A73. ANOVA

Summary

A74. ANOVA

Summary

(14)

A75. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and _{Choke in Micro-modifier Method} _{#3 Experiment.} ₂₂₁ A76. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Choke in

Contacting

A77. ANOVA

Summary

A78. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A79. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

A80. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Choke in

Contacting

A81. ANOVA

Summary

A82. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A83. ANOVA

Summary

A84. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A85. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Tempera ture and Spread in Micro-modifier Method #4

Experiment. 241

A86. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Temper

ature and Spread in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 243

A87. ANOVA

Summary

A88. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

(15)

A89. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

A90. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Spread in

Contacting

A91. ANOVA

Summary

A92. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A93. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

A94. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Spread in

Contacting

A95. ANOVA

Summary

A96. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A97. ANOVA

Summary

A98. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A99. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Tempera ture and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #4

Experiment. 269

A100. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Temper ature and Choke in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 271

A101. ANOVA

Summary

A102. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

(16)

A103. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #4 Experiment. 277

A104. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Printing

Sharpness

and Choke in

Contacting

A105. ANOVA

Summary

A106. ANOVA

Summary

Contacting

A107. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

A108. ANOVA

Summary

Table for Base

Density

and

Choke in

Contacting

A109. ANOVA

Summary

AHO. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

Alll. ANOVA

Summary

A112. ANOVA

Summary

in

Contacting

A113. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Temper

ature and pH in Micro-modifier Method #4

Experiment. 297

A114. ANOVA

Summary

Table for

Developing

Temper

ature and pH in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 299

Bl. Cost Factors of Micro-Modifer Method 302

B2. Cost Factors of

Contacting

Method 303

(17)

1.

Slightly

off-register, no overlap provided

by

a

spread or choke.

"

1

2.

Overlap

provided

by

a choke of the green

lettering

for easier press register. 1

3. SPREADS. 18

4. CHOKES. ₁₈

5. The light fall-off at 48" and 96" lamp-to-film

distance. 19

APPENDIX - FIGURES

Al.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for

Intensity

and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#1 Experiment. 74

A2.

Relationship

Intensity

and Spread in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 76

A3.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#1 Experiment. 78

A4.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Spread in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 80

A5.

Relationship

Printing

Sharpness and Spread in Micro-modifier

A6.

Relationship

Printing

Sharpness and Spread in

Contacting

(18)

A7.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and _{Spread in Micro-modifier Method} _#1

Experiment. 86

A8.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and Spread in

Contacting

Method #1 Exper

iment. 88

A9.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Base

Density

and Spread in Micro-modifier

A10.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Base

Density

and Spread in

Contacting

Method

#1 Experiment. 92

All.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#1 Experiment. 94

A12.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Spread in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 96

A13.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#1 Experiment. 98

A14.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Spread in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 100

A15.

Relationship

Intensity

and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #1

Experiment. 102

(19)

A16.

Relationship

Intensity

and Choke in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 104

A17.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Choke in Micro-modifier Method

#1 Experiment. 106

A18.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Choke in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 108

A19.

Relationship

Printing

Sharpness and Choke in Micro-modifier

A20.

Relationship

Printing

Sharpness and Choke in

Contacting

A21.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #1

Experiment. 114

A22.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and Choke in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 116

A23.

Relationship

Density

and Choke in Micro-modifier

A24.

Relationship

Density

and Choke in

Contacting

Method

#1 Experiment. 120

(20)

A25.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #1

Experiment. 122

A26.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Choke in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 124

A27.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #1

Experiment. 126

A28.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Choke in

Contacting

Method #1

Experiment. 128

A29.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Exposure Time and Spread in Micro-modifier

A30.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Exposure Time and Spread in

Contacting

Method

#2 Experiment. 132

A31.

Relationship

#2 Experiment. 134

A32.

Relationship

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 136

A33.

Relationship

Printing

(21)

A34.

Relationship

Printing

Contacting

A35.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and Spread in Micro-modifier Method #2

Experiment. 142

A36.

Relationship

pH and Spread in

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 144

A37.

Relationship

Density

A38.

Relationship

Density

and Spread in

Contacting

Method

#2 Experiment. 148

A39.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#2 Experiment. 150

A40.

Relationship

Contrast and Spread in

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 152

A41.

Relationship

Dot Gain and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#2 Experiment. 154

A42.

Relationship

Dot Gain and Spread in

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 156

(22)

A43.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Exposure Time and _{Choke in} Micro-modifier

A44.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Exposure Time and Choke in

Contacting

Method

#2 Experiment. 160

A45.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Choke in Micro-modifier Method

#2 Experiment. 162

A46.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Choke in

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 164

A47.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for

Printing

A48.

Relationship

Printing

Contacting

A49.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #2

Experiment. 170

A50.

Relationship

pH and Choke in

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 172

A51.

Relationship

Base

Density

(23)

A52.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Base

Density

and Choke in

Contacting

Method

#2 Experiment. 176

A53.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and _{Choke in Micro-modifier} _{Method #2}

Experiment. 178

A54.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Choke in

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 180

A55.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #2

Experiment. 182

A56.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Choke in

Contacting

Method #2

Experiment. 184

A57.

Relationship

Developing

Time and Spread in Micro-modifier

A58.

Relationship

Developing

Time and Spread in

Contacting

A59.

Relationship

#3 Experiment. 190

A60.

Relationship

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. 192

(24)

A61.

Relationship

Printing

Sharpness and _{Spread in Micro-modifier}

A62.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} _and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for

Printing

Contacting

A63.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} and

pH and Spread in Micro-modifier Method #3

Experiment. 198

A64.

Relationship

pH and Spread in

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. 200

A65.

Relationship

Density

A66.

Relationship

Density

and Spread in

Contacting

Method

#3 Experiment. 204

A67.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#3 Experiment. 206

A68.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Spread in

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. 208

A69.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#3 Experiment. 210

(25)

A70.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Spread in

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. 212

A71.

Relationship

Developing

Time and Choke in Micro-modifier

A72.

Relationship

Developing

Time and Choke in

Contacting

A73.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Choke in Micro-modifier Method

#3 Experiment. 218

A74.

Relationship

Resolution and Choke in

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. 220

A75.

Relationship

Printing

A76.

Relationship

Printing

Contacting

A77.

Relationship

pH and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #3

Experiment. 226

A78.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable

for.

pH and Choke in

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. 228

(26)

A79.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized} _Residual

and

Density

and _{Choke in Micro-modifier}

A80.

Relationship

_Between _Standardized _Residual and

Density

and Choke in

Contacting

Method

#3 Experiment. ₂₃₂

A81.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} _and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #3

Experiment. ₂₃₄

A82.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Choke in

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. ₂₃₆

A83.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #3

Experiment. ₂₃₈

A84.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Choke in

Contacting

Method #3

Experiment. ₂₄₀

A85.

Relationship

Developing

Temperature and Spread in

Micro-modifier Method #4 Experiment. ₂₄₂

A86.

Relationship

Developing

Temperature and Spread in Contact

ing

A87.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#4 Experiment. 246

(27)

A88.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} _and

Resolution and Spread in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment.

~

248

A89.

Relationship

Printing

A90.

Relationship

Printing

Contacting

A91.

Relationship

pH and Spread in Micro-modifier Method #4

Experiment. 254

A92.

Relationship

pH and Spread in

Contacting

Method #4 Experi

ment. 256

A93.

Relationship

Density

A94.

Relationship

Density

and Spread in

Contacting

Method

#4 Experiment. 260

A95.

Relationship

Contrast and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#4 Experiment. 262

A96.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Contrast and Spread in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 264

(28)

A97.

Relationship

_{Between Standardized Residual} and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Spread in Micro-modifier Method

#4 Experiment. 266

A98.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Spread in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 268

A99.

Relationship

Developing

Temperature and Choke in

A100.

Relationship

Developing

Temperature and Choke in

Contacting

A101.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Choke in Micro-modifier Method

#4 Experiment. 274

A102.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Resolution and Choke in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 276

A103.

Relationship

Printing

A104.

Relationship

Printing

Contacting

A105.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #4

Experiment. 282

(29)

A106.

Relationship

Between Standardized Residual and Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for pH and Choke in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 284

A107.

Relationship

Density

A108.

Relationship

Base

Density

and Choke in

Contacting

Method

#4 Experiment. 288

A109.

Relationship

Contrast and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #4

Experiment. 290

A110.

Relationship

Contrast and Choke in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 292

Alll.

Relationship

Predicted Standardized Dependent Variable for Dot Gain and Choke in Micro-modifier Method #4

Experiment. 294

A112.

Relationship

Dot Gain and Choke in

Contacting

Method #4

Experiment. 296

A113.

Relationship

Developing

Temperature and pH in Micro-modifier

A114.

Relationship

Developing

Temperature and pH in

Contacting

(30)

by

Sze-Men Lui

An Abstract

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the

School of

Printing

in the

College of Graphic Arts and

Photography

of the

Rochester Institute of

Technology

September,

1981

Thesis advisor: Associate Professor Bekir E.

Arpag

f

Micro-modifier is the trademark of equipment manufactured

by

(31)

A photographic process that produces thicker or thinner images

for color

trapping

in order to have easier registration in color _printing

is called spreads or chokes.

A _study was made of the conventional

(contacting)

method of pro

ducing

spreads and chokes and the new _technology

by

_using orbital

motion

(Micro-modifier)

with respect to the results on the films

by

mea

suring the _printing sharpness, resolution, dot gain, base

density,

contrast, accuracy and _uniformity of spreads and chokes. A cost _study

for both methods was also made.

A series of experiments were designed and done in order to com

pare the two methods. The experiment's data were processed

by

the

Regression Analysis Program of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social

Sciences). The results included three parts: ANOVA (Analysis of

Variance), Prediction equations, and its graphical presentations.

The results of this _study indicated that the Micro-modifier method

produced a better quality, higher accuracy and _uniformity spreads and

chokes compared to the standard method. In the

long

_run, the cost of

the Micro-modifier method is more economical. Therefore the

Micro-modifier method is

highly

recommended.

Some of the Reliable Prediction Equations can be used for

helping

(32)

inten-Thi

s s

t u d y

i

n d icat es that the Mi

cro-modifier

m

ethod

need

s

furth

er

st

u d y.

A

bst rac t appr

oved :

T

h esis

a

d visor

Title

and Department

(33)

'Spreads and Chokes' are important in _stripping operations.

Spreads and Chokes refer to the contact procedure that

photographically produces thicker or thinner line images to provide color _overlap for easier registration with multicolor

printing.

Slightly

off-register, no _overlap provided

by

a spread or choke.

Figure 1

Overlap

provided

by

a choke of the green

lettering

for easier

press register. 1

Figure 2

In the Graphic Arts

Industry,

_quality control is the most vital

aspect in today's market. An effective _quality control is 'a system for

integrating

the _{quality-maintenance,} _{quality-development,} and

quality-improvement efforts of the various groups in an organization so as to

enable production and service to be at the most economical levels which

allow for full customer satisfaction'2

Strippers or cameramen _usually make the spreads and chokes

by

using the conventional

(contacting)

method. About

twenty

to

thirty

(34)

was no scale for measurement at all. We can _say that the _quality con

trol of the spreads and chokes was _very poor

during

that time.

Later on (around

1960),

_due to technological

developments,

"spread and choke scales"

were invented to _supply the strippers or

cameramen with a standard to

help

control spreads and chokes.

Today,

there are _many different spread and choke scales on the

market; in the _spring of 1980

-at 'Print' 80 in

Chicago,

a new machine

called 'Micro-modifier' _{for producing} spreads and chokes was introduced

to the market

by

the Byers Corporation. This machine uses orbital

motion to produce the spreads and chokes.

Until now, Micro-modifier is the _only device on the market for

spreads and chokes other than the conventional _contacting method.

Purpose

This thesis is to compare the conventional _contacting method and

the micro-modifier method on _producing spreads and chokes

by

measur

ing

the results on the films. The measurements _{include printing sharp}

ness comparison, resolution comparison, degree of dot _gain, base den

sity, contrast, and the _accuracy and _uniformity of spreads and chokes

in both processes. The author also attempted to create some predicted

equations for _producing accurate and good _quality spreads and chokes.

(35)

these terms are:

Chokes: Chokes is a contact process

by

which

letters,

solids, or

other shapes are made "thinner" without _altering their shape or relative

positioning. 3

Conductivity:

By

finding

the reciprocal of the resistance of a

material, there is a measure of how well the material will conduct elec

tricity. This _quantity is called conductance and is measured in mhos

(derived from ohm spelled backward). The symbol

(unit)

for conduc

tance is an inverted capital _omega,_\s _; the letter symbol for conduc

tance is the capital letter G. In equation

form,

G = j|

(mhos)4

where G = _Conductance

R = _Resistance

If we _apply the same voltage to a copper wire and a carbon "wire"

(filament), both at the same temperature and with the same

dimensions,

much less current flows in the carbon. This effect is related to the

nature of the material itself and is usually expressed as a _property of

the material called resistivity, or the "reciprocal" _property, conductiv

ity

5

Increasing

the area or

decreasing

either the length or the resis

tivity will increase the conductance, but conductance decreases with

(36)

plate. 6

Contrast: The contrast in this thesis refers to the control gradi

ent for DuPont CRONAR Ortho S CRONALITH Control strips. The

control strips are used to determine and _accurately control the photo

graphic _activity of litho and contact developers in an automatic pro

cessor.

They

are 4

by

10 inch strips of CRONAR Ortho S film that are

pre-exposed with a

density

wedge and a numbered Relative

Log

E Scale.

The Relative

Log

_{E Scale reading} for a

density

of 3.50 shows the degree

of development and indicates the Effective Development Speed. The

difference in the Relative

Log

E Scale readings for densities of 3.50 and

0.30 is used to determine the Control Gradient.

By

_charting speed and

gradient at specified time

intervals,

the _activity of the developer can be

closely maintained.

7

Dot Gain: Dot gain is the dot size of the reproduction and can be

bigger or smaller than the dot size of the original.

Exposure: Exposure is the _quantity of light that is allowed to act

on a photographic material. The product of the

intensity

and the dura

tion of the _{light acting} on the emulsions.8

Fringe: The soft halo surrounding small black dots (on a large

clear

field)

on original, first-generation (first generation is an original

camera exposed

film,

second generation is a contact from the camera

exposed

film,

third generation is a contact from the second generation

contact) halftones.

(37)

by

light reflected from the back surface of the support.10

Halftone: The reproduction of continuous-tone artwork, such as a

photograph which has gradations or variations in tone, through a

cross-line or contract _screen, which converts the image into dots of various

sizes. * x

Negative: Negative is where the subject is clear on an opaque

film.12

Original copy: Original copy is the original subject to be modi

fied.13

pH: A measure of the degree of _acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

In a neutral solution the pH value is 7. In acid solutions it ranges

from 0 to 7 and in alkaline solutions it ranges from 7 to 14. 14

Positive: Positive is where the subject is opaque on a clear film.15

Printing sharpness:

During

the printing process, a relative

change in dot size will occur.

Sharpness is measured

by

_taking

density

measurements of

both a solid patch and a tint patch on whatever colors are

being

printed. Once a degree of sharpness has been de

termined to be optimum for a given paper and ink combina tion, a change in this ratio will give a signal when some thing is _changing

during

the press run.

Usually

a process

that starts to lose its printing sharpness and tends to print

between the dots will make middletone areas of the repro

duction appear too dark and will

dirty

_up the colors.

Sharpness can be computed

by dividing

the

density

of the

solid into the

density

of the tint

being

measured for each

color.

_,

density

of tint

Sharpness =

(38)

If the dot size on the printed sheet is _{approximately} the same as that

on the _printing _plate, we can assume that the print is of perfect _sharp

ness. The lower the sharpness value the more sharpness.

Resolution: _Resolution _is the _ability (the

degree)

to reproduce

fineness of

detail,

_usually expressed in lines per millimeter.

Spreads: Spreads is a contact process

by

which

letters,

solids,

or other shapes are made "fatter" without _altering their shape or rela

tive _positioning. 17

Strippers: The strippers are the persons who arrange and tape

all the negatives on a sheet of goldenrod _paper, _according to a

ruled-out layout for the plate to be made.18

Stripping:

Stripping

is the process of _precisely _positioning and

fastening

one or more film negatives, or film positives, onto a plate-size

masking sheet so that those film images can be exposed in the desired

positions on the _printing plate. It is also referred to as image assembly.

The _masking sheet with its taped-on film negatives, or film positives, is

called the flat (or goldenrod).19

Trapping:

Trapping

is the _ability to print a wet ink film over

previously printed ink.

Dry

_trapping _{is printing} wet ink over

dry

ink.

(39)

Film

Contacting

for the Graphic Arts (Wilmington, Delaware: E.I. _{DuPont de Nemours & Co.}

(Inc.),

1979), p. 48.

2

A.V.

Feigenbaum,

Total

Quality

Control (New York:

McGraw-Hill Book

Company,

1961).

3

John F. _Holtz, More on _Contacting

(Rochester,

New York: East

man Kodak

Company, 1979),

p. 3.

4

Robert L.

Boylestad,

Introducing

Circuit Analysis

(Columbus,

Ohio: Charles E. Merrill

Publishing

_{Company, 1977),} pp. 46-47.

5

Gregory

J. _Nunz, Electronics in Our World (Englewood

Cliffs,

New Jersey:

Prentice-Hall,

_{Inc., 1972),} p. 118.

Pocket Pal (New York: International Paper

Company,

1979),

p.

176.

7

CRONALITH Control _Strip

(Wilmington,

Delaware: E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.

(Inc.),

1981).

8

Holtz, p. 30.

9

Contacting

Procedures for the Graphic Arts

(Rochester,

New

York: Eastman Kodak _Company, _1978), p. 41.

10 TU.J Ibid.

11

Pocket _Pal, p. 183.

12

Owner Manual of Micro-modifier Model 5000 (Oklahoma

City,

Oklahoma: Byers _{Corporation, 1980),} p. 4.

13 TK-j Ibid.

14

Rudolf F. Graf, Radio Shack New 1978-79 unabridged

Dictionary

of Electronics

(Indianapolis,

Indiana: Howard W. Sams &

Co.,

Inc.,

1979), p. 522.

15

(40)

Holtz,

p. 31. 18

John E.

Cogoli,

Photo-Offset Fundamentals

(Bloomington,

Illinois: McKnight

Publishing Company, 1980),

p. 21.

19

Ibid.,

p. 220.

20

(41)

Spreads and chokes are also known as spreads and shrinks or fatties

and skinnies and are used for easier _{press-register,} to provide a print

ing

overlap between two images of different colors. (Trapping).

Uses:

(1)

provide color _overlap, where background color must not

print _solidly behind the line

detail;

_say yellow type in a black back

ground.

(2)

fine line

detail,

such as _{in map work;} a colorful line that

represents a road or stream _may be spread when it is to be bordered

by

parallel lines of another color. This spread allows for slight

mis-register while printing and _so, a white line does not show between the

colors.

(3)

to outline images.

(4)

to produce outlines or inlines of

characters.

(5)

to allow one picture to print inside another picture

without noticeable difference between the two.1

Where a dark colored type is to print into a lighter colored back

ground, it is better to choke the lighter color rather than spread the

darker type. _Conversely, if light colored type is to print into a darker

colored background, it is better to spread the lighter colored type

rather than choke the darker background. The reason for this is that

the darker color defines the size and shape of the _type, and to change

the darker color would mean a change in the characteristics of that

particular type-face. _So, the general rule is to spread or choke the

(42)

How much spread or choke is required is determined

by

the follow

ing

three factors:

1.

Depending

on the register _capability of the press:

The finer a register the press can

hold,

the less the

amount of spread or choke is needed.

2.

Depending

on color: A light color can be allowed to

spread or choke more into a _very dark background

without _showing overlap.

3.

Depending

on size of type: Larger type

(display

type

= _type _that _is ₁₄

points and

larger)

can take more

spread or choke than smaller type (text or

body

type:

type that is 12 points and _smaller, 1 point = 1/72").2

The traditional and the most popular method for the strippers or

cameramen is to make spreads and chokes

by

use of the conventional

contacting method. Another most _{recently developed} system for obtain

ing

spreads and chokes is the Micro-modifier unit

by

Byers Corporation.

Conventional

Contacting

Method

This method needs a spacer between the processed original film

and a sheet of unexposed film in a vacuum contact frame. A

light-diffusion material such as opal glass or plastic is placed between the

light-source and the original film. The spread and choke scale is

placed beside the original film. Tissue paper or a matte film base also

can be used for the diffuser. The amount of spread or choke is con

trolled

by

the exposure.

There are two types of contacts. One is called conventional con

(43)

pro-duce opposite images of the originals (from positive to negative or nega

tive to positive). Another is called duplicate contacts (also called

'dupes'

or direct _contacts), it will produce duplicate images of the

originals (from positive to positive or negative to negative).

Equipment and materials used _{for contacting} are:

Contact-Printing Frames: Pressure-type printing frames and

vacuum-type _printing frames are usuable for _making contacts. How ever, for _getting better _{quality contacts,} a vacuum-type _printing frame is preferred. There are three major types of vacuum frames:

The conventional glass _top frame: It is the most common, most

convenient and easiest frame to use. A crystal clear and polished plate glass is used. The disadvantages of glass _top frames are: the surface

is _easy to collect dirt and it must be cleaned _very often with glass cleaner and _cloth; the glass will _slightly absorb and bend

light;

draw

down time is longer and the register pins must be used _carefully when

the pressure is applied to the glass to prevent or eliminate breakage

and scratching.

The acetate _overlay frame: This type of frame will offer a _very

quick drawdown time but it will absorb and bend light and is _easily

scratched, the acetate overlays needed to be renewed _very often.

The glassless contact frame: Often called 'open face'

frame or vacuum easel, minimizes

dust,

breakage,

and

light-stopping

problems

(44)

film that _completely covers the frame. Clean film cover sheets are more

economical and easier to change than the glass in a conventional frame. x

The Light Source: The point source light is the most common

light source, that is a narrow path of travel light from a small source,

either emulsion-to-emulsion or emulsion-to-base contacts it will give the

best image sharpness.

Mercury-vapor,

_{pulsed-xenon-arc,} carbon-arc

and quartz lamps will be used for the light source. A different expo

sure time will be required for each light source and it generally runs

between 15 and 75 seconds.

Safelights: Safelights will

help

to eliminate the

handling

errors in

the darkroom.

Backing Sheets: A

backing

sheet is used to place over the rubber

blanket of the contact frame to eliminate the effects of blanket texture

and to avoid the misregister caused

by

the vacuum applied to the regis

ter pins on the blanket. A good

backing

sheet should have a _stiff,

uniform and dull surface with a slight grain allowed for air to bleed off

under the films. A black plastic or black cardboard typed sheet is

recommended to use. Dark red

backing

sheets also can be used, but

the effect is not as good as the black one. _However, never use white

backing

sheets for _they can cause halation problems.

Contact Exposure Timers: A built-in timer on the vacuum frame

or a separate timer near the vacuum frame is required. The timer

should have a safelight directed on its face and should give maximum

accuracy in the normal exposure range

(by

seconds). Light integrators

will have the function of _recording the total illumination of both the

(45)

Light-Intensity

Control: A

light-intensity

control is usually

equipped with a contact

lamp

to adjust

lamp

intensity

for accurate and

suitable exposure.

Diffusers: A light-diffuser (such as Rohm & Haas white Translu

cent Plexiglas

W-2447)

such as opalized glass or diffuse plastic _sheeting

is used to scatter the _exposing light in a controlled manner.

Spacers: _{A spacing} material

(spacers)

will be used to produce the

expected amount of spread or choke. A clear acetate or a clear graphic

arts film can be used. A .004 inch spacer or the base thickness of the

films can be used.

Spread and Choke Scales: The scale will

help

to monitor the

amount of spread and choke.

Films: Either darkroom type contact films or

duplicating

films,

bright light contact films or

duplicating

films can be used,

depending

the contact requirements.

Developer, Stop Bath and Fixer: Recommended _chemistry combin

ations

by

the manufacturers will be used.

Processors: Films can either be processed

by

machine (Rapid

Access Processor) or

by

tray.

Light Table, Magnifying Glass and Densitometer: A bright light

table, a high power magnifying-glass (50x with reticle _{is recommended)}

and a densitometer (digital type and with automatic _zeroing is pre

ferred)

are required for

inspecting

the effects on films.

Contact Room: A contact room is a darkroom type room where the

(46)

efficiency of the safelights and make it easier to clean the dust on the

walls, it should be painted with white (or another light _color), smooth

and high-gloss paint. Eliminate the degree of reflection

by

suitable

arrangement and locate the reflective objects such as the timer,

safe-light

housings,

wall _charts, film

boxes,

etc. Separate safelight

switches and room-light switches for optimum safety.

The

following

are steps in _making spreads and chokes

by

_using

the conventional _contacting method:

1. Clean the glass and frame with a glass cleaner and a _cleaning

cloth.

2. A black

backing

sheet is placed on the contact frame.

3. An unexposed film (contact film or

duplicating

film)

is placed

on the

top

of the

backing

_sheet, with emulsion side up.

4. A transparent plastic spacer sheet is placed over it.

5. The original film is then placed over the spacer.

6. The spread and choke scale is mounted beside the original

film.

7. The vacuumframe glass is lowered.

8. The diffuser (a tissue paper or a matte film

base)

is mounted

over the glass frame.

9. Vacuum is applied and the film exposed.

(47)

Micro-modifier Method

This method uses a plate of plexiglass to which the original film is

taped. This plexiglass revolves in a circular motion over the film to be

exposed. A point light source is above. One can dial-in a _variety of

circular motions

by

_adjusting the eccentric dial (in 1/1000 of an inch

diameter

increments),

the amount of circular motion results in changes

in the amount of spreads or chokes. This is a simple machine and

takes _only a little

training

to use it.

Equipment and materials used for the micro-modifier method are:

Micro-modifier: This machine includes three basic parts: a light

housing

for point light source, machine

body,

and a table or counter

space.

The point light source

housing

must be suspended from the

ceiling and centered over the film board of the machine.

The suggested distance between the light aperture and the

face of the machine is 60" minimum and 72" maximum

(153-183 cm). The Micro-modifier 5000 has a base size of 39"

width x _33V depth (100x85 cm). The counter space re

quired must be at least 40"

wide x 30"

deep

_(100x75cm

minimum). A table or counter height of 30"

(75cm)

will be

ideal for the average operator. The power cord is plugged into a 110 Volt wall outlet.3

The important parts of the Micro-modifier are: _copy carriage

(clear)

to put the original copy on, the film board

(Red)

to place the

unexposed film on, the adjustable eccentric dial to determine the size of

orbital motion the carriage will make and the size of the orbital motion

determines the amount of spread or _choke, the dial plate with

(48)

The dial is set and adjusted with the dial

key by

inserting

it into the

key

hole and

turning

the

key

to the desired

calibration mark. The _receiving hole accepts the carriage drive pin and transmits the motion to the _copy carriage.4

A micrometer _actually measures the orbital _motion, the

intensity

selector has twelve fixed light

intensity

settings to provide a range of

intensities for _exposing the

films,

the interval timer is a timer to con

trol the exposure time with the range from 0 to 60 seconds and when

the exposure is _completed, the timer will shut off and reset automati

cally. One motor drive switch is for

turning

the orbital motion on and

off and one main power switch is for

turning

the main power on and

off.

The other materials such as _safelights, spread and choke _scales,

films,

developer,

stop bath and

fixer,

processors and contact room are

exactly the same as those used for contacting.

The

following

are steps in _making spreads and chokes

by

_using

the Micro-modifier method:

1. The original positive or negative with a spread and choke

scale beside it is taped to the _copy _carriage, the emulsion

side of the film faces the operator.

2. The desired eccentric dial is then set.

3. The exposure timer and light

intensity

control are set.

4. A sheet of film (either contact film or

duplicating

film,

de

pending on the requirement) is taped on the film board with

(49)

5. The _copy carriage is lowered.

6. The motor drive switch is turned on.

7. If the dial indicator _{reading is} _correct, the exposure is then

started.

8. The motor drive switch is turned off when exposure is com

plete.

9. The _copy carriage is _gently lifted to the original position.

10. The tape is removed and the film is then processed

(by

machine or

by

tray).

Spread and Choke Scales

Spread and Choke Scales are a device for

helping

the strippers or

cameramen to monitor the amount of spread and choke.

Different scales have different

testing

methods and systems.

Based on the knowledge of the _author, the

following

spread and choke

scales are used in the _{printing industry.}

They

are DuPont Quick Checks

Target,

DuPont Spread Checks

Target,

Kodak Contact Control Guide

C-2,

GAF Contact Exposure

Guide,

Stouffer #1-T Resolution

Guide,

UGRA-GRETAG Plate Control

Wedge

PWC,

and RIT Spread and Choke

Sensitivity

Guide (also called

Digital Contact Guide).

The detail on how to use the scales will be obtained from manu

(50)

Important Considerations for making Spreads and Chokes

Principle: Whatever method is used, a negative will always give a

spread (Figure

3)

and a positive will always give a choke (Figure 4.

SPREADS

-light source

original

upe-m

original

N^^^/spacer

CHOKES

dupe-Figure 3 Figure 4

Film: In either the Micro-modifier or conventional method, no

matter whether darkroom type contact film or

duplicating films,

bright

light contact film or

duplicating

films are _used, one _very important

requirement is that the film must be of high contrast.

Lamp

-film Distance:

The

lamp

distance should be great enough to cover the

printing frame with even

illumination,

but short enough for

practical exposure times.5

(51)

Maximum Image Area Minimum

Lamp

Distance

8"xl0"

29 inches Il"xl4"

40 inches 16"x20"

58 inches

20"x24"

71 inches

24"x24"

71 inches 24"x32"

90 inches 30"x40"

112 inches 40"x50"

143 inches 40"x60"

161 inches

Point-light source: The

following

figure shows the difference of

light fall-off at 48" and 96" lamp-to-film distance.

< POINT LIGHT /.Tv SOURCE

//|\

\

$

POINTLIGHT SOURCE

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\

1

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\ \

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\ \

\

1' :

1

/ ! '

48" \

Al i~X'8B- 7T^

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s'T^XXj?

/BT \ 94 W~>

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