HORIBA IG-340 Portable Gloss Meter

Overview

The HORIBA IG-340 is a precision-engineered portable gloss meter designed for reliable, field-deployable surface reflectance assessment in industrial quality control, R&D, and maintenance applications. It operates on the standardized 60° specular geometry per ISO 2813 and ASTM D523, delivering traceable gloss units (GU) for non-metallic and metallic substrates alike. Its optical architecture employs a stable 880 nm near-infrared LED source and calibrated photodetector system to minimize interference from ambient visible light—critical for consistent measurements under variable lighting conditions. Unlike benchtop gloss meters requiring controlled lab environments, the IG-340 integrates ruggedized mechanical design with IP42-rated ingress protection, enabling robust operation in production floors, construction sites, automotive refinishing bays, and outdoor architectural inspection scenarios where occasional water droplet exposure may occur.

Key Features

• Compact, ergonomic handheld form factor (≤320 g) optimized for one-handed operation and extended field use
• High-contrast backlit LCD display (0.0–199.9 GU range) with automatic [OVER] alert for values exceeding 100.0 GU
• Integrated calibration standard housed within the protective cap—ensures immediate verification prior to measurement without external reference tiles
• On-device data management: stores up to 100 individual readings and 200 averaged datasets, each tagged with date/time stamps for audit-ready traceability
• USB 2.0 interface supporting batch export of stored data to Windows 10 systems; no proprietary software required
• Auto-power-off after 10 minutes of inactivity to extend battery life (2 × AA alkaline cells)
• Elliptical 6 × 12 mm measurement aperture ensures representative sampling across textured, curved, or heterogeneous surfaces

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The IG-340 is validated for quantitative gloss evaluation across diverse material classes including architectural stone, painted and bare metal panels, thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, coated wood composites, rubber elastomers, and float glass. Its 60° angle provides optimal sensitivity across mid-to-high gloss ranges (10–100 GU), making it especially suitable for automotive clear coat inspection, floor finish certification, façade cladding validation, and post-polishing verification in precision manufacturing. The instrument conforms to international standards governing gloss measurement methodology—including ISO 2813 (paints and varnishes), ASTM D523 (standard test method for specular gloss), and JIS Z 8741 (Japanese Industrial Standard for gloss). Its repeatability specification (±0.6 GU) meets GLP-aligned requirements for routine QC documentation and supports trend analysis over time-series measurements.

Software & Data Management

Data integrity and workflow integration are addressed through native timestamped storage and standardized USB export. Each stored record includes measurement value, averaging status (e.g., n = 3), acquisition timestamp, and user-defined batch ID (via optional external labeling). Exported CSV files are structured for direct import into LIMS platforms, Excel-based SPC dashboards, or statistical process control software compliant with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 frameworks. While the IG-340 does not feature onboard spectral analysis or cloud connectivity, its deterministic data format and absence of firmware-dependent drivers ensure long-term archival compatibility and regulatory readiness—particularly relevant for FDA-regulated medical device packaging qualification or ISO 13485-certified coating validation where raw measurement provenance must be preserved.

Applications

• Automotive: Final clear coat gloss verification pre-delivery; comparative assessment of polishing compound efficacy
• Construction: On-site evaluation of stone tile, terrazzo, and precast concrete surface consistency
• Packaging: Gloss uniformity monitoring of laminated cartons, metallized films, and UV-cured inkjet prints
• Furniture & Flooring: Quantitative tracking of wear resistance in polyurethane-finished hardwood and vinyl composite tile
• Plastics Manufacturing: In-line gloss screening of injection-molded housings, extruded profiles, and blow-molded containers
• Maintenance: Objective benchmarking of floor wax reapplication intervals in commercial facilities

FAQ

What standards does the IG-340 comply with for gloss measurement?
The instrument implements the 60° geometry specified in ISO 2813, ASTM D523, and JIS Z 8741, ensuring metrological equivalence with accredited laboratory instruments.
Can the IG-340 measure curved or uneven surfaces accurately?
Its 6 × 12 mm elliptical aperture accommodates moderate curvature and texture variation; however, measurements on highly irregular geometries should follow ISO 2813 Annex A guidelines for localized sampling strategy.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes—the integrated calibration plate is certified against NIST-traceable reference standards, and users receive a certificate of conformance with each unit.
Does the device support statistical process control (SPC) functions?
While real-time SPC calculation is not performed onboard, exported timestamped datasets are fully compatible with third-party SPC software for X-bar/R chart generation and capability analysis (Cp/Cpk).
How is environmental durability ensured for field use?
The IP42 rating certifies protection against solid objects >1 mm and vertically falling water droplets—validated per IEC 60529—making it suitable for covered outdoor inspections and humid indoor environments.