Benchtop Spectrophotometer Combines Several, Different Measurement Methods

A benchtop spectrophotometer said to represent a revolution in color measurement in every respect has been unveiled by BYK-Gardner. By combining several, different measurement methods, the new color2view reportedly becomes an objective eye that evaluates our visual color impression in its entity.

Color2view uses a circumferential illumination at 45° with 0° viewing to measure color as you see it. The circumferential illumination from 10 directions ensures repeatable measurement results on textured surfaces. Simultaneously with color, 20° and 60° gloss are measured to clearly differentiate medium gloss and high gloss samples. In addition, the color2view has a fluorimeter integrated to predict lightfastness by quantifying fluorescence – the calculated color change after fluorescence degradation is displayed with easy-to-understand CIELAB- and DE data. According to the company, the combination of a spectrophotometer and a fluorimeter opens completely new perspectives for controlling color quality and guaranteeing long-term color stability.

The color2view Pro offers a jetness mode which is specially designed to measure deep and deepest black with highest accuracy. It is said to feature excellent technical performance which also is assured for the very low reflectance range R < 0.1 %. Easy to operate, intuitive navigation and new functionalities with the “special touch” reportedly create an unprecedented user experience.

The compact and lightweight instrument can be easily rotated to adapt the orientation - "top or front port" - to one's personal needs or sample size and shape. Operation via the brilliant, color touchscreen is icon-based and just as intuitive as using a smart-phone. An integrated camera permits a live preview of the measurement spot. This prevents false readings on imperfections or scratches and ensures precise positioning of the sample.

A lot of thoughtful engineering has gone into the color2view to provide new and useful functionalities. The result is a storage compartment for standards, said to ensure the standards are always at hand and yet protected, and a smart sample holder. The sample holder can be stored flat in the housing of the instrument when not in use and be parked at several positions on its way to the measurement area where it touches the sample’s surface gently thanks to the soft-close function.The color2view X models can be used with interchangeable apertures to measure small to large samples.

The company’s innovative BYK LED technology is said to guarantee an outstanding performance, with short-term, long-term and temperature stability reportedly unsurpassed in the industry. The extra-large measurement spot with homogenous illumination guarantees highly repeatable and representative readings. All together, highest accuracy and inter-instrument agreement are ensured and allow users the use of digital standards. Nevertheless, the implementation of digital standards was up to now limited to one instrument family. According to BYK, for the first time ever in the industry, digital standards can be exchanged between benchtop and portable color instruments without any extra-profiling. Due to the excellent intra-instrument agreement between color2view and spectro2guide, the seamless use of digital standards has become reality.