HunterLab UltraScan PRO Spectrophotometer
| Brand | HunterLab |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Status | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | UltraScan PRO |
| Product Type | Spectrophotometric Colorimeter |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop |
| Optical Geometry | d/8° Integrating Sphere |
| Light Source | Xenon Arc Lamp |
| Spectral Range | 360–780 nm (standard), optional 350–1050 nm |
| Repeatability | ΔE*ab ≤ 0.03 (average, CIE L*a*b* color space) |
Overview
The HunterLab UltraScan PRO is a high-precision benchtop spectrophotometer engineered for absolute color measurement consistency across diverse industrial and research applications. Operating on the principle of diffuse/8° (d/8°) geometry with a calibrated xenon flash lamp, it delivers full-spectrum reflectance and transmittance data from 360 nm to 780 nm—extendable to 350–1050 nm for specialized UV-VIS-NIR analysis. Its integrating sphere design ensures uniform illumination and detection of both specular-included (SCI) and specular-excluded (SCE) measurements, enabling compliance with ASTM E308, ISO/CIE 11664-4, and CIE 15:2018 standards. Designed for laboratory-grade reproducibility, the UltraScan PRO achieves instrumental repeatability of ΔE*ab ≤ 0.03 (average over 10 readings under controlled conditions), making it suitable for quality control in regulated environments where traceability and inter-instrument agreement are critical.
Key Features
- Optical architecture compliant with CIE d/8° geometry, supporting both SCI and SCE measurement modes via motorized port configuration
- Xenon arc lamp with >1 million flashes lifetime, delivering stable spectral output without warm-up drift or spectral shift over time
- High-resolution silicon photodiode array detector (31-channel or 100+ nm resolution depending on firmware version), optimized for low-noise signal acquisition
- Integrated thermal stabilization system maintaining optical path temperature within ±0.1°C during operation
- Comprehensive calibration suite including NIST-traceable white tile, black trap, and liquid transmission standards
- Robust mechanical design with stainless-steel sample compartment and pneumatic sample port sealing for dust- and moisture-resistant operation
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The UltraScan PRO accommodates solid, liquid, paste, and powdered samples using standardized holders—including 25 mm and 50 mm diameter sample cups, transmission cells (10 mm, 20 mm, 50 mm pathlengths), and custom fixtures for irregular geometries. It supports measurement of opaque, translucent, and transparent materials per ASTM D2244 (color difference), ASTM E1331 (reflectance), and ASTM E308 (color computation). Instrument validation protocols align with IQ/OQ/PQ requirements for GLP and GMP environments. Data integrity features include audit trails, user access levels, and electronic signatures compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used with optional QualiCheck software modules.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via HunterLab’s EasyMatch QC software (v5.x or later), the UltraScan PRO enables real-time spectral visualization, multi-instrument network synchronization, and automated pass/fail tolerancing against master standards. The software supports export of CIE XYZ, L*a*b*, L*C*h°, Yellowness Index (ASTM E313), Whiteness Index (CIE/ISO 11475), and custom indices such as Tomato Pigment Score (TPS) or TiO₂ K/S ratio. All raw spectral data (.spc files) and metadata are stored in a relational database with timestamped revision history. Integration with LIMS systems is supported through ASTM E1482-compliant XML and CSV interfaces.
Applications
The UltraScan PRO serves as a reference-grade platform across multiple verticals: food & beverage (tomato paste color grading per USDA/ISO 22957, dairy product yellowness, beverage clarity), coatings & pigments (TiO₂ whiteness and scattering coefficient quantification per ASTM D476), plastics (melt index correlation with hue shift), pharmaceuticals (coating uniformity per USP ), and glass manufacturing (luminous transmittance, haze, and color shift under varying thicknesses). Its extended NIR capability supports non-destructive analysis of moisture content in agricultural products and polymer crystallinity assessment.
FAQ
Does the UltraScan PRO support measurement of translucent liquids such as fruit juices or syrups?
Yes—it accepts standard 10 mm, 20 mm, and 50 mm pathlength cuvettes and includes automatic meniscus detection and baseline correction for accurate transmittance profiling.
Can instrument-to-instrument agreement be validated across a global manufacturing network?
Yes—HunterLab provides Inter-Instrument Agreement (IIA) reports per ASTM E2539 and offers factory-matched instrument sets with documented ΔE*ab < 0.15 at 12 color points.
Is spectral data export compatible with third-party statistical process control (SPC) platforms?
Yes—CSV and XML exports include full wavelength-by-wavelength reflectance/transmittance values, metadata, and computed colorimetric indices, supporting integration with Minitab, JMP, and custom Python-based analytics pipelines.
What regulatory documentation is provided for validation in pharmaceutical or food safety audits?
Each unit ships with a Certificate of Conformance, NIST-traceable calibration report, IQ/OQ protocol templates, and a complete 21 CFR Part 11 readiness package upon request.
How frequently does the xenon lamp require replacement, and is recalibration needed afterward?
The lamp is rated for ≥1 million flashes; replacement is typically required every 2–3 years under normal lab use. Post-replacement recalibration is performed automatically using onboard reference standards—no external calibration kit required.
