HunterLab Agera Desktop Color Measurement Instrument with 0°/45° Geometry, Integrated Gloss & Imaging

Overview

The HunterLab Agera is a high-precision benchtop color measurement instrument engineered for industrial quality control laboratories requiring metrological traceability, long-term stability, and multi-parameter surface characterization. It employs a rigorously validated 0°/45° optical geometry—designed to emulate the human observer’s viewing conditions under standardized CIE illuminants—thereby minimizing directional bias inherent in bidirectional reflectance measurements. Unlike diffuse/8° or d/0 instruments, the Agera’s annular 0°/45° configuration ensures consistent color data across textured, directional, or structured surfaces (e.g., brushed metals, embossed plastics, woven textiles), where angular sensitivity significantly impacts spectral response. Its full-spectrum balanced LED array delivers stable, low-heat, maintenance-free illumination across the visible range (400–700 nm), eliminating the spectral drift and lamp aging issues associated with xenon or tungsten sources. This photometric stability directly enables its industry-leading repeatability of ≤ 0.03 ΔE*ab (based on 20 consecutive readings of a white ceramic tile under controlled conditions), meeting stringent requirements for process validation and inter-laboratory comparison.

Key Features

• 0°/45° integrating sphere optical design conforming to CIE No. 15 and ASTM E308 for geometrically robust colorimetric measurement
• Full-spectrum LED illumination system with <1% intensity variation over 10,000 hours—ensuring calibration longevity and reduced recalibration frequency
• Simultaneous color + 60° gloss measurement per ASTM D523 and ISO 2813, with NIST-traceable gloss calibration certificate included
• Switchable UV filter mode supporting both UV-included and UV-excluded measurements; factory-calibrated against fluorescent standards (e.g., optical brighteners in paper or textiles)
• Three user-selectable aperture sizes (50.8 mm, 25.4 mm, 15.89 mm) for flexible sampling of large-area panels, small parts, or heterogeneous materials
• Integrated 5-megapixel digital camera with coaxial 45° full-spectrum illumination—enabling spatial correlation of color values with visual defects, mottling, or contamination
• 10.1-inch high-resolution capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-driven workflow; supports on-device data review, pass/fail evaluation, and report generation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Agera accommodates opaque, translucent, and semi-gloss to high-gloss surfaces—including powders (with optional sample cups), liquids (in transmission cells), films, molded plastics, painted panels, anodized aluminum, and food-grade packaging. Its 0°/45° geometry complies with ISO 8254-2 (paper), ISO 12048 (plastics), ASTM D2244 (color difference calculation), and TAPPI T485 (paper brightness). All instruments ship with factory-installed calibrations traceable to NIST SRM 930e (luminance) and SRM 2036 (color), satisfying GLP/GMP documentation requirements. UV-filtered measurements adhere to ISO 105-J03 for fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) assessment in textiles and ISO 11475 for coated wood-based panels.

Software & Data Management

Controlled via HunterLab’s EasyMatch QC v5.x software, the Agera supports comprehensive data governance including audit trails, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant user access controls. The software enables statistical process control (SPC) charting, tolerance mapping (ellipsoidal or rectangular), batch trending, and automated report export (PDF, CSV, XML). All measurement metadata—including aperture size, UV mode, gloss value, image timestamp, and operator ID—is embedded in each data record. Firmware updates and remote diagnostics are delivered securely through HunterLab Connect—a TLS 1.2–encrypted platform enabling authorized technical support personnel to perform real-time instrument health checks, parameter verification, and guided troubleshooting without local IT intervention.

Applications

The Agera serves as a primary color standard in regulated and high-volume manufacturing environments: pigment formulation labs validating batch-to-batch consistency; automotive OEMs qualifying interior trim and exterior coatings; food processors monitoring natural color variation in sauces, dairy, and confectionery; pharmaceutical companies verifying tablet coating uniformity per USP ; and packaging converters ensuring brand-color fidelity across flexographic, gravure, and digital print runs. Its dual color/gloss capability streamlines QC workflows previously requiring separate instruments—reducing capital cost, floor space, and operator training overhead.

FAQ

Does the Agera support measurement of fluorescent or optically brightened samples?
Yes—its switchable UV filter and factory-calibrated UV reference standards enable accurate quantification of fluorescence under CIE Illuminant D65, per ISO 105-J03 and ASTM E308 Annex A5.
Is gloss measurement traceable to national standards?
Yes—the 60° gloss module is supplied with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate issued by HunterLab’s ISO/IEC 17025-accredited metrology lab.
Can measurement images be annotated and exported with color data?
Yes—EasyMatch QC allows overlay of color deviation heatmaps onto captured images and exports both synchronized to a single PDF report.
What cybersecurity protocols govern remote support access?
HunterLab Connect uses end-to-end AES-256 encryption, session time-outs, and role-based permissions; no persistent remote access is permitted without explicit user authorization per session.
Is the Agera suitable for use in cleanroom environments?
Yes—its solid-state LED source generates negligible heat and zero ozone; the enclosure meets IP20 rating and is compatible with ISO Class 5–8 cleanroom protocols when operated on vibration-isolated benches.