X-Rite Ci7860 Benchtop Spectrophotometer
| Brand | X-Rite |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | Ci7860 |
| Product Type | Benchtop Spectrophotometer |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop |
| Optical Geometry | 0/45° Integrating Sphere |
| Illuminant | UV-Enabled |
| Spectral Range | 360–780 nm |
| Repeatability (RMS ΔE*) | 0.01 |
| Inter-instrument Agreement (Avg. ΔE* SCI) | 0.06 |
| Spectral Resolution | 10 nm |
| Photometric Resolution | 0.001% |
| UV Filter Options | Standard 400 nm, Optional 420 nm & 460 nm |
| Reflectance Apertures | 25 mm, 17 mm, 10 mm, 6 mm, 3.5 mm (optional) |
| Transmittance Apertures | 27 mm, 17 mm, 10 mm, 6 mm |
| Dual-Mode Measurement | SPIN & SPEX Simultaneous |
| Compliance | CIE 15:2018, ASTM D2244, ASTM E308, ISO 7724-1, ISO 13655, ISO 17972-1 (PantoneLIVE), FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (with Color iQC v6.0+) |
Overview
The X-Rite Ci7860 Benchtop Spectrophotometer is an industrial-grade, 0/45° integrating sphere spectrophotometer engineered for metrologically traceable color measurement across reflective, transmissive, and fluorescent materials. Its optical architecture conforms to CIE 15:2018 and ISO 7724-1 definitions of diffuse/0° geometry, enabling precise separation of surface reflectance (SPIN) and total reflectance including fluorescence (SPEX) in a single measurement cycle. Designed for use as a master reference instrument in global supply chains, the Ci7860 delivers industry-leading inter-instrument agreement—averaging ΔE* < 0.06 under SCI mode—with a repeatability of RMS ΔE* ≤ 0.01. This performance level supports critical applications where color consistency must be maintained across manufacturing sites, contract laboratories, and tiered suppliers—particularly in regulated sectors such as automotive coatings, packaging printing, textile dyeing, and pharmaceutical film coating.
Key Features
- Simultaneous SPIN/SPEX dual-mode acquisition eliminates sequential measurement error and accelerates spectral capture for materials containing optical brightening agents (OBAs) or fluorescent pigments.
- Four standard transmittance apertures (27 mm, 17 mm, 10 mm, 6 mm) and five reflectance apertures—including a 3.5 mm optional aperture—support measurement of small features, textured surfaces, and heterogeneous substrates per ISO 13655 and ASTM D2244.
- Integrated temperature and humidity sensors log environmental conditions with every measurement, enabling correlation of color drift with ambient variability—a requirement for GLP-compliant documentation and long-term stability monitoring.
- UV calibration capability with selectable UV filters (standard 400 nm; optional 420 nm and 460 nm) ensures accurate quantification of OBA response in paper, synthetic textiles, and plastic films per ISO 17972-1 and TAPPI T480.
- Auto-scaling measurement lens dynamically adjusts field-of-view when switching apertures, maintaining optimal signal-to-noise ratio without manual recalibration or operator intervention.
- Robust mechanical design includes vibration-damped optical bench, thermally stabilized detector array, and sealed optical path—reducing sensitivity to ambient thermal gradients and particulate contamination over extended operational cycles.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Ci7860 accommodates rigid, flexible, translucent, and opaque samples—including coated panels, woven fabrics, injection-molded parts, laminated films, and printed substrates—without requiring custom fixtures. Its 0/45° geometry minimizes directional gloss artifacts common in 45°/0° or d/8° instruments, making it suitable for satin, matte, and textured finishes per ASTM D1003 and ISO 11475. Regulatory compliance extends to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with Color iQC v6.0 or later, providing full audit trail, electronic signature support, and role-based access control. All firmware and software updates are validated against ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing laboratories, and instrument performance is certifiable via NetProfiler against NIST-traceable standards.
Software & Data Management
The Ci7860 operates natively with X-Rite’s Color iQC (for quality control workflows) and Color iMatch (for formulation development), both supporting ASTM D2244 pass/fail tolerancing, multi-standard evaluation, and statistical process control (SPC) charting. Integration with PantoneLIVE enables cloud-synchronized digital color standards, eliminating reliance on physical master samples subject to aging, handling damage, or metamerism. NetProfiler provides automated verification of spectral accuracy, geometric conformity, and UV calibration integrity—generating ISO/IEC 17025-compliant reports for internal audits or third-party certification. All measurement metadata—including aperture selection, UV filter state, ambient sensor readings, and operator ID—is embedded in exported .cie or .xml files, ensuring full traceability from raw data to final report.
Applications
- Automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers use the Ci7860 to validate paint and interior trim color match across global production lines, referencing AATCC TM179 and SAE J1545.
- Consumer electronics manufacturers deploy it for display cover glass, anodized aluminum housings, and polymer casings where micro-texture and angular color shift must be controlled.
- Pharmaceutical packaging teams apply it to verify color consistency of blister foil, label stock, and child-resistant closures—meeting USP and EU Annex 15 requirements for material identity testing.
- Textile mills employ simultaneous SPIN/SPEX to distinguish between pigment-based and fluorescent whitening agent (FWA)-driven whiteness, aligning with ISO 105-J03 and AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1.
- Printing and packaging converters rely on its 3.5 mm aperture option and laser-assisted targeting for spot-checking CMYK process inks, varnishes, and metallic foils on high-speed press sheets.
FAQ
What standards does the Ci7860 comply with for regulatory reporting?
The Ci7860 meets ISO 7724-1, ASTM E308, ASTM D2244, and CIE 15:2018 for spectral measurement methodology. When used with Color iQC v6.0+, it satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures.
Can the Ci7860 measure fluorescent materials accurately?
Yes—its simultaneous SPIN/SPEX mode captures both surface reflectance and fluorescence emission in one acquisition, calibrated using NIST-traceable fluorescent standards per ISO 13655:2017.
Is the 3.5 mm reflectance aperture available as a field-upgrade?
Yes—the 3.5 mm aperture is a factory-installed optional hardware module and can be added post-purchase through authorized X-Rite service centers.
How often does the instrument require calibration verification?
NetProfiler recommends quarterly verification using certified ceramic tiles and fluorescent standards; daily zeroing and white calibration are performed automatically at startup.
Does the Ci7860 support custom tolerance ellipsoids beyond CIEDE2000?
Yes—Color iMatch allows definition of user-specific ΔE tolerances based on L*C*h*, CMC(l:c), or BFD(2:1) metrics, with exportable tolerance sets for cross-functional alignment.
