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What is a colorimeter? What are the uses?

A colorimeter can be applied in many industries, as long as the work and color related, you need to use a colorimeter. Color changes in a variety of ways, and sometimes, a small detail can have a big impact. So in terms of color management, we need to monitor correctly at all times. That’s why a colorimeter is what you need.
So what is a colorimeter? What are the uses of a colorimeter?

What is a colorimeter?

A colorimeter is a professional device. It uses three filters – red, green and blue – to simulate the human perception of color. It works by shining an internal light source onto the surface of a sample, then passing three filters to extract the RGB value of the reflected light to quantify how our eyes will see that color.

fru colorimeter

The use of color difference meter

The main purpose of the colorimeter is to measure color and blend color. Application industries include plastic, surface treatment (spraying, plating, etc.), printing, textile and other industries involving surface color detection. With the popularity of colorimeter, whether in color matching, control production and finished product testing, a colorimeter is increasingly playing an important role. According to the data provided by the colorimeter can be faster and more accurate to complete the task of color matching.

First: the measurement of color mixing

When you get a sample, you need to reproduce the same color as this sample, to repeat the proof. Previously, it relied on the human eye to compare the difference between a small sample and a standard sample. When it is within the permissible range, mass production can be started. This difference is difficult to determine due to the subjective factor of the human eye. At this time, the difference between the small sample and the standard sample can be measured with a color difference meter, and the difference is used to determine whether the color difference of the sample is within the range, which reduces the uncertainty of the human eye observation.

The following is an example.

If the color coordinates of the standard sample are.

L*=74.40, a*=1.67, b*=23.80

Set the measurement value of the standard sample as the standard, then measure the small sample, and get the result of the small sample.

L*=74.39, a*=0.67, b*=20.30; dL*=0.01, da*=1.0, db*=1.50

As you can see, the next time you correct the small sample recipe to add green (or subtract red), add blue (or subtract yellow) and determine the degree of addition or subtraction by yourself according to the test results. Repeat several times until the color difference in the allowable range. If you have been using it for a long time, according to the value of the color difference meter, you can basically determine the proportion of the formula between 2-3 times.

Second: Quality control

When put into production, color deviation may occur in batches due to many factors in production. In this way, the color deviation must be measured frequently in production with a colorimeter to adjust the production process to achieve consistency of product color.

Third: the amount of transmission

Nowadays, customers generally provide color cards or samples, so that when signing contracts with users again, try to save the physical as a standard. Then the high-grade instruments, according to the actual environment also has deviations.

If you are not sure what color measurement tools you should use, you can consult us, Beley has professional color experts to answer your questions and help you and your business choose the right colorimeter, spectrophotometer and gloss meter.

 

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