colorimeter

Colorimeter: Precision Instrument for Objective Color Measurement A colorimeter is a sophisticated photoelectric device engineered to objectively quantify and analyze color characteristics of materials. Operating on tristimulus colorimetry principles, it simulates human eye perception using three filtered sensors aligned with the CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage) standard observer functions. Working Principle: The instrument illuminates a sample with a standardized light source (e.g., LED). Light reflected/transmitted through the sample passes through optical filters separating it into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) spectral components. Photodetectors then convert these signals into digital tristimulus values (typically XYZ), which are transformed into industry-standard color scales such as CIELAB, L*C*h°, RGB, or *ΔE (color difference)**. Key Components: Light source (e.g., pulsed xenon or LED) Tristimulus optical filters Photodiode array sensors Calibrated white reference tile Microprocessor for real-time calculations Applications: Quality Control: Verifying color consistency in manufacturing (paints, textiles, plastics). Printing & Packaging: Ensuring brand color accuracy (e.g., Pantone® matching). Food & Beverage: Monitoring product appearance (e.g., beverage hue, produce ripeness). Cosmetics & Pharmaceuticals: Controlling shade uniformity in formulations. Research & Development: Material analysis and color formulation. Advantages Over Spectrophotometers: Portability and ruggedness for field use Lower cost and simplified operation Faster measurement speed (1–2 seconds) High repeatability (±0.05 ΔE) Standards Compliance: Modern colorimeters adhere to international standards (CIE 15, ASTM E1347, ISO 7724) and support data export for compliance reporting.

M-300 Automatic Lovibond Tintometer