With the continuous advancement of technology, the paint and coatings industry is also constantly innovating and developing. Within this industry, spectrophotometers play a crucial role. Spectrophotometers, instruments used to measure the color of objects, are essential instruments in the paint and coatings industry. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the applications of spectrophotometers in the paint and coatings industry.
Spectrophotometers can comprehensively characterize and evaluate paint coatings, helping manufacturers maintain quality control and ensure product stability and consistency. By measuring the color and color difference of paint coatings, spectrophotometers can quickly and accurately measure parameters such as gloss, transparency, and color depth. They can also help manufacturers determine color formulas to ensure product color stability and consistency.
When using a spectrophotometer, we first need to place the sample on the instrument. The instrument will perform computerized processing on the sample and output the sample’s color difference and color data. The colorimeter’s high-precision measurement and automated processing technology also ensure the accuracy and systematicity of the test results.
Spectrophotometers are widely used in the paint and coatings industry, mainly in the following aspects:
Color difference measurement: Spectrophotometers can use standard light sources to analyze the differences in sample color and determine whether the material color matches the standard, thereby realizing the analysis and measurement of paint and coating color.
Color matching: In the paint and coating production process, precise color matching is required. Spectrophotometers can match colors based on parameters such as standard color numbers and color gaps, thereby improving production efficiency.
Quality Control: Spectrophotometers can accurately measure the color of product batches, monitor product quality in real time, and adjust production processes in a timely manner when problems are discovered to improve product quality.
Competitive advantage: Paint and coating products have similar shapes. By using spectrophotometers, subtle color differences can be distinguished, helping companies create differentiated competitive advantages.
I believe you can already see how important spectrophotometers are in the paint and coatings industry. They not only improve production efficiency and product quality, but also reduce production costs and product loss. Therefore, when selecting paint and coatings production equipment, it is essential to choose a high-quality spectrophotometer.
In short, spectrophotometers are undoubtedly crucial equipment in the paint and coatings industry. Their use can help manufacturers improve product quality, reduce costs and losses, and enhance production efficiency and product consistency. Therefore, when purchasing equipment, it’s important to consider not only brand and price, but also quality and performance, to select the spectrophotometer that best suits your needs.
Types of Paint and Coating Color Measurement Instruments
Measurement of the color of paint and coating depends upon several important instruments, and these instruments have their particular application and precision:
- Spectrophotometer for Paint
Paint color match spectrophotometer is considered the industry standard of color measurement accuracy and repeatability. They measure spectral reflectance values over the broad visible range (usually 400 – 700 nm) and then translate this to standard color values, e.g., CIELAB or Hunter Lab.
Types of Spectrophotometers:
Benchtop Spectrophotometers
They are used to perform color measurement in a controlled environment where the precision is ultra-high. They provide stable measurement conditions, better repeatability, and allow multiple viewing geometries (e.g., d/8°, 45/0°). These are critical to research and batch control purposes.
Portable Spectrophotometers
These are small and lightweight but are perfect to be use in the field and on-process quality control. They usually have built-in lights (D65, A, F2) and support Bluetooth or USB so that data can be transferred easily.
Multi-Angle Spectrophotometers
The use of Multi-Angle Spectrophotometers is also vital in automotive paint testing and vehicle paints, which may be pearlescent or metallic finishes in a car, and refract differently at different angles. Profiling at several angles (e.g., 15°, 25°, 45°, 75°, and 110° degrees) is used to monitor “flop” color or angle variations.
- Color Matching Machine
Spectrophotometers are associated with formulation software and automated pigment dispensers to create colour matching machines. Spectral information on a sample is run through these systems. The nearest formulation of the color is then calculated based on a database of base paints and colour ants. They reduce trial and error on the lab bench and factory floor. Thus, lowering the first-hit formulation precision and reducing wastage.
The superior forms also incorporate artificial intelligence and repetitive correction algorithms to maximize recipes, taking into consideration. It includes the existing inventory, required film thickness, opacity, and the extent of glossiness. Such technology comes in handy particularly in industry paint and coating facilities, as well as car repair workshops.
- Paint Colour Analyser / Color Match Scanner
These hand-held devices are also called paint matchers or color matching paint tools, or auto paint color scanners. They can match colors quickly and on-site. They snap the target surface with integrated LEDs and miniature spectrometers. They also cross-check the thousands of formulas kept in commercial databases.
Most automobile paint scanners interface with the phone apps or remote databases. Allowing a customer to access or purchase the corresponding paint formulation instantly. They are commonly used in paint stores, automobile body repair shops, and paint matching machine shops at retail outlets. Because they are portable and convenient.
Other, more sophisticated hand-held scanners take into account gloss and surface texture. They provide suggestions not only for the color but also for the appropriate type of finish to use. Thus, they are also quite well suited for touch-ups and complete repainting projects.