Precise colour measurement

Citation

(2000), "Precise colour measurement", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 29 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2000.12929bad.001

Precise colour measurement

Precise colour measurement

Keywords: Sheen Instruments, Photometers, Colour, Measurement

Now available from Sheen Instruments is a precise hand-held battery powered spectrophotometer (Plate 1) which the company believes meets industry's need for fast accurate measurement of the colours of plastics, paints and inks. Small enough and light enough to be used with one hand, to check colour inside a moulding or painted product, the Sheen Micromatch Plus is said to bring the accuracy, power and capabilities of a laboratory spectrophotometer to the factory floor, the print works or anywhere else that colour needs to be verified.

Plate 1The Micromatch Plus from Sheen Instruments

Sheen informs us that Micromatch Plus can be used for the full range of tests, from simple pass/fail checks on the shopfloor to complex colour analysis in the laboratory. Pass/fail limits can be programmed in for rapid quality control checks during manufacture and, when the instrument is used in this way, access to more complex colour programmes can be locked-off for greater security. The Micromatch Plus is also said to display most accepted colour parameters on its clear LCD screen and can be used for metameric colour matching throughout the visible spectrum. Built-in memory enables the instrument to store data on up to 200 standards and up to 999 colour samples, ready for instant reference or recall. A built-in RS232 serial interface makes it possible for data to be downloaded direct to Microsoft Excel ™ or Word ™ .

A key benefit claimed of the Micromatch Plus is its long-term accuracy and stability. Because it uses an LED light source, Micromatch Plus needs calibration only four times a year and can make up to 10,000 measurements per set of batteries. All calculations are carried out internally. The operator configures the instrument using a menu-guided push-button and takes a measurement either by operating the push-button or by pressing down the Micromatch lightly on to the surface to be measured. Repeatability of readings is reported to be excellent.

Details available from: Sheen Instruments Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8541 4333; Fax: +44 (0) 20 8549 3374; e-mail info@sheeninstruments.com