Optical Technologies Promulgates ASTM Standards at Conference
A standard test practice that will assist in the establishment of quality evaluations for
both remanufacturers and their vendors will be considered at an ASTM meeting in early July 1999. Dr. John
Wyhof of Static Control Components is chairman of the electrostatic product sub-committee and
Optical Technologies' President Lester Cornelius will be leading the task group that is developing the new practice.
This standard practice was first reviewed at an ASTM meeting in Memphis in late January 1999
and was advanced for discussion by the ASTM Committee on Business Office Products, is entitled a
"Standard Practice for Evaluating All-in-One Toner Printer Cartridges."
"This standard builds on the essential yield evaluation, ASTM F 1856, developed in Dr. John
Wyhof's task group last year," said Cornelius. "The idea now is to integrate several tests into one."
"The compilation of test methods is an essential step in assuring the continuation of quality
improvement for our industry," Cornelius said. "Consider the dilemma faced by a state that is considering
legislation to limit single-use cartridge purchases and create a preference for the purchase of remanufactured products.
Its state purchasing office discovers that agencies prefer new products because the supplier that could
provide remanufactured cartridges was inconsistent in providing quality cartridges. This often occurs because
the only standard of measurement is lowest price, which often equates to lesser quality," he
said. "That is an unacceptable outcome to all the industry's advocacy efforts."
In these cases, all the legislation that industry advocates labor to enact will not save the industry
when poor products are sold. These tests, however, will allow the consumer to buy with a standard that assures
that the cartridge will perform as outlined, and will allow the remanufacturer some security in the knowledge
that the components have had to pass certain requirements as well.
For further information contact Dr. John Wyhof at 919-774-3808 or Lester Cornelius at 718-729-4430.
This article originally appeared in the July 1999 issue of Recharger.