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Colour measurement

Spectrophotometer for continuous online colour measurement

Range of Application
Colour measurement based on the standard CIELab or ICUMSA- standard. Continuous online measurment of colours. Colour measurement of products with smooth and planar surfaces, no abrasive or bulk material.



Guideline
CIE-Farbraum

The CIELab-System is a colour space, which was specified by the International Commission on Illumination CIE (Commission Internationale d'Eclairage) in the year 1976. It was further derived from the CIE colour system and is based on the CIE “master” space which was introduced in the year 1931. CIELab system is today the most common colour system. On the basis of this equipment independent 3D-colour model, colour differences can be identified numerically. The model is impartial and complies nearly the human perceptiveness, by adapting the geometrical distance between two colours in the colour space with the human perception.

The measured spectral curves will be reduces on three coordinates.
The axes of the coordinates are positioned rectangular on each other:
L* ,the light intensity, from 0 = absolute black to 100 = absolute white.
a* describes the red - green axis. Negative values are green, the positives are red.
b* describes the yellow - blue axis. Negative values are blue, the positives are yellow.

Therewith the colour can be accurately described in the colour space. The calculation is effected under consideration of a standard light and an ordinary observer, that is, the colour values are calculated under defined physical conditions.



Functionality
Continuous, controlled LED illumination and identification of the product colour in the colour space after CIELab or ICUMSA- standard. The evaluation results in the visible light sector from 390 - 720 nm. The distance between sensor system and product has to be kept constant.
The four mesurement results L*, a*, b* and dE are avalible at four separate 04/20 mA channels.

 

HK7 Übersicht
Technical data
Housing:
   Size LxWxH
   Enclosure
   Color
pressure cast aluminium housing
280 x 230 x 110mm
IP65 / NEMA 4
RAL 5024
Connections
   Power supply
   4 analog outputs
   2 PC interfaces
   connection sensor – evaluation unit
   PROFI-BUS-DP
   sensor system


100-240V AC, optional 24V DC
0/4 - 20 mA
RS 232 or RS 485
fibre optic cable
optional
LED-illumination with 9 LEDs

User interface
   Operating
   Display

6 integrated soft keys in keypad
2 x 24 characters illuminated
Ambient conditions
   Environment temperature
   Product temperature

-20°C to +40°C
-20°C to +70°C



Measurement Design
The sensor system is located at a constant distance over the product surface. The product surface is aproximatively smooth and planar. The products (matals, Textiles, food, plastics) are moving on a conveyor belt under the sensor system. Fine powder products are planed by a scraper. For the attainment of top-quality measurement results the environment has to be dust-free. With the option “compressed-air“ the measurement can be kept free of dust.

 

Applications
The range of feasible applications is very large. The material of the product is not relevant, but the surface has to be aproximatively smooth and planar.
Applications:

  • Plastics industry
  • Food industry
  • Automobile industry
  • Textile industry
  • Chemicals industry
  • Printing industry
  • Lamination industry
  • Cosmetics industry
  • Research
  • Coating of chip boards
  • Lacquering of plates
  • Surfaces of cheese blocks
  • Textiles, panels, webs
  • Degree of whiteness i.e. sugar
  • Meat Processing


HK7-Versions
HK7-1: basic configuration
HK7-2: basic configuration + automatical white balance
HK7-3: basic configuration + measurement of degree of white index + triple sensorsystem
HK7-4: basic configuration + measurement of degree of white index + triple sensorsystem + automatical white balance

Advantages
In difference to spectrophotometers from the competition, the HK7 is not operating with Xenon-Flashlight. The controlled LED illumination gives an improved stability of the measurement.

Technical Data

Measure geometry

45/90
Spot size at 100mm distance appr. d=60mm

Standard lights

D65, A, C,

Standard observer

2° (1931), 10° (1964)

Colour space

CIE L*a*b*, dE*

Spectral range

390nm – 720nm

Spectral resolution

1,3nm

Gauge head dimensions
HK1-1:
HK1-2:
HK1-3:
HK1-4:


120 x 120 x 90mm
120 x 220 x 90mm
230 x 280 x 110mm
230 x 280 x 110mm

Calibration

With implemented white standard

PC-interfaces

serial RS232 / RS485


Calibration
The calibration of the HK7 is done with our easy to use Colourmaster software.



Examples
HK7-spectrophotometer: Colour measurement of syntetic sausage casing
Kunstdarm/Wursthüllen

Kunstdarm/Wursthüllen


HK7-spectrophotometer: colour measurement degree of whiteness sugar
Weißheitsgrad von Zucker

Weißheitsgrad von Zucker


Harrer & Kassen GmbH
Am Heschen 4-6
D-75328 Langenbrand
Tel:     +49 (0)7084/9248-0
Fax:   +49 (0)7084/9248-29
eMail: info(at)harrerkassen.com


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