Nippon Denshoku NDH-5000W Turbidimeter / Haze Meter

Overview

The Nippon Denshoku NDH-5000W Turbidimeter / Haze Meter is a precision optical measurement instrument engineered for quantitative evaluation of optical clarity in transparent and semi-transparent solid materials. It operates on the integrating sphere photometric principle in 0°/diffuse (0°/d) geometry—where incident light strikes the sample at normal incidence, and all transmitted light (specular, diffuse, and scattered components) is collected by a 150 mm diameter integrating sphere. This configuration enables simultaneous, traceable determination of multiple optical parameters: haze (turbidity), total transmittance (T_t), diffuse transmittance (T_d), specular (parallel) transmittance (T_s), and the derived Turb index. Designed specifically for industrial quality control laboratories, the NDH-5000W meets stringent metrological requirements for materials including polymeric films (PET, PE, PP), cellulose-based sheets (cellophane), tempered glass substrates, LCD cover lenses, and touch panel assemblies. Its dual-illuminant capability (D65 daylight and Illuminant A) supports colorimetric consistency across lighting conditions specified in ISO/CIE standards.

Key Features

• Integrated 150 mm integrating sphere with internal baffle and calibrated coating for high signal-to-noise ratio and long-term photometric stability
• Automatic compensation mechanism using a built-in reference port and beam-switching optics—eliminates sphere efficiency drift without manual recalibration or sample repositioning
• Simultaneous multi-parameter acquisition per measurement cycle: haze (%), T_t, T_d, T_s, and Turb index (0–500, scalable to 9999.99 via user-defined calibration curves)
• Dual-standard illuminant selection (D65 and A) via front-panel toggle switch—ensures compliance with both daylight-weighted and incandescent-weighted transmittance reporting
• Large-sample compatibility: accommodates specimens up to 300 mm × 300 mm with optional extended-stage configuration; no edge-clamping required for standard 100 mm × 100 mm samples
• High repeatability: ±0.05 % relative standard deviation for total transmittance measurements at full-scale (100 %), verified per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures
• Halogen lamp source (5 V / 2 A) with stabilized power delivery and thermal management—ensures spectral stability over >2,000 hours of continuous operation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The NDH-5000W is validated for use with rigid and flexible planar materials ranging from 0.1 mm to 25 mm in thickness, including thermoplastics (e.g., PMMA, PC, PETG), coated glass, anti-reflective laminates, and optically bonded display stacks. Its optical design incorporates a dedicated compensation aperture for transparent plastic specimens—correcting for inherent variations in sphere wall reflectance and detector responsivity across batch production. Regulatory alignment includes full conformance with JIS K 7361 (plastic haze), JIS K 7105 (transparency of plastics), ISO 13468-1 & -2 (determination of haze and transmittance of transparent plastics), ISO 14768 (optical properties of films), and ASTM D 1003 (standard test method for haze and luminous transmittance). The instrument’s firmware and measurement protocols support audit-ready documentation required under GLP and GMP environments, including timestamped raw data export and operator ID logging.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and reporting are managed via embedded firmware with RS-232 and USB-B interfaces. No proprietary software installation is required: measurement results—including numerical values, statistical summaries (mean, SD, CV%), and pass/fail status against user-defined specification limits—are output as ASCII text or CSV files. All stored datasets retain full metadata: date/time stamp, illuminant mode, calibration ID, operator code, and environmental condition tags (optional via external sensor input). For integration into LIMS or MES platforms, the NDH-5000W supports Modbus RTU protocol over serial connection, enabling automated data ingestion without manual intervention. Audit trail functionality complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when used with validated system configurations, including electronic signature capture and immutable record archiving.

Applications

• Quality assurance of optical films in display manufacturing (OLED, LCD, microLED cover windows)
• Haze screening of medical packaging films (sterile barrier integrity verification)
• Batch release testing of automotive glazing polymers (head-up display substrates, HUD combiners)
• R&D evaluation of anti-fog coatings on polycarbonate visors and safety goggles
• Process validation of extrusion and casting lines for transparent thermoplastic sheets
• Comparative analysis of surface roughness effects on light diffusion in architectural glazing materials

FAQ

What standards does the NDH-5000W comply with for haze measurement?

It fully conforms to JIS K 7361, ISO 13468-1 & -2, and ASTM D 1003 for haze and transmittance quantification.
Can the instrument measure specimens thicker than 10 mm?

Yes—its optical path accommodates samples up to 25 mm thick without modification; optional height-adjustable sample holders extend usability for irregular geometries.
Is calibration traceable to national metrology institutes?

Factory calibration uses NIST-traceable reference standards for transmittance and haze; accredited third-party calibration services are available upon request.
Does the NDH-5000W support automated pass/fail decision logic?

Yes—user-defined upper/lower specification limits can be programmed per parameter; results display PASS/FAIL status and trigger audible alerts.
How is thermal drift managed during extended measurement sessions?

The halogen lamp driver includes closed-loop current regulation and real-time temperature compensation; warm-up stabilization time is ≤15 minutes.