Use of Conventional Test Equipment in the Evaluation of Typewriter Supplies

The evaluation of a typewriter supply product is a complex testing application in which measurements related to many different characteristics of the product are required. The characteristics of interest may be relatively simple, such as the length of a ribbon, or complicated, such as the average useful life of a fabric ribbon. Several common difficulties in defining the measurement objectives and selecting the test equipment are discussed. Examples of applications of commercially available test equipment are given. Some of the instruments discussed include counters, microscopes, force transducers, and reflection photometers. In each case emphasis is placed on the necessity of thoroughly understanding both the measurement requirement and the basic function of the available test equipment so that the equipment may be applied properly. Once the measurement is well defined and the equipment is used properly, the results may be interpreted meaningfully.