NH300 Portable Computer Colorimeter by 3nh

Overview

The NH300 Portable Computer Colorimeter is a high-precision, handheld spectrophotometric color measurement instrument engineered for industrial quality control, R&D laboratories, and production floor applications requiring rapid, repeatable, and traceable color evaluation. Based on the 8°/diffuse (8/d) geometry per CIE No. 15 and ISO 7724-1, the NH300 employs a multi-channel silicon photodiode array coupled with blue LED excitation to deliver stable spectral response across the visible range (approximately 400–700 nm). Its optical architecture eliminates mechanical moving parts—ensuring long-term calibration stability—and supports standardized color space calculations including CIELAB (L*a*b*), CIELCH, CIEXYZ, CIELUV, and whiteness/yellowness indices per ASTM E313 and ISO 2470. Designed for compliance with ISO 13655 (spectral measurement conditions) and aligned with GMP/GLP documentation requirements, the NH300 serves as a validated tool for color consistency verification in regulated environments such as paint formulation, plastic extrusion, textile dyeing, and packaging printing.

Key Features

• Auto-calibration on power-up using integrated white and black reference tiles—eliminates manual recalibration before each session.
• Human-centered ergonomics: contoured grip, low center of gravity, and balanced weight distribution (500 g) minimize hand fatigue and measurement-induced motion artifacts.
• Patented illumination-assisted targeting system: concentric LED ring provides real-time visual feedback for precise positioning over sample surfaces—even on curved or textured substrates.
• High-stability electronics: proprietary IC platform with temperature-compensated analog front-end ensures ΔE*ab repeatability ≤ 0.10 (measured on certified white tile, n = 30).
• Extended operational endurance: rechargeable 3.7 V / 3200 mAh Li-ion battery supports ≥3,000 measurements per full charge (typical usage), with full recharge achieved in ≤10 hours.
• Robust environmental tolerance: operates reliably from –10 °C to +40 °C at 0–85% RH (non-condensing), suitable for factory-floor deployment without climate-controlled enclosures.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The NH300 accommodates flat, convex, concave, and textured surfaces via its fixed 8 mm aperture (Φ8 mm). Optional extended probe accessories enable measurement of recessed areas up to 25 mm depth. It meets international metrological standards for inter-instrument agreement (≤0.40 ΔE*ab between units under identical conditions) and conforms to ISO 17025 traceability principles when used with NIST-traceable calibration standards. Data integrity complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with the included PC software’s audit trail, electronic signature, and password-protected user roles. All firmware and calibration coefficients are digitally signed and version-controlled to prevent unauthorized modification.

Software & Data Management

The bundled SpectraMagic NX-compatible software (v4.x+, licensed per unit with unique serial key) provides full-color data lifecycle management. Functions include statistical process control (SPC) charting, batch-wise delta-E accumulation analysis, spectral reflectance curve overlay, standard deviation reporting per L*, a*, b* channels, and customizable pass/fail thresholds. The database supports up to 8,000 sample records and 100 reference standards, with export options to CSV, Excel, PDF, and XML formats for integration into LIMS or ERP systems. Raw spectral data (31-point, 10 nm intervals) is retained alongside calculated metrics, enabling retrospective reanalysis without hardware interaction.

Applications

• Quality assurance in automotive interior trim manufacturing—verifying match-grade consistency across injection-molded polypropylene, leather, and fabric components.
• Textile colorfastness validation per AATCC TM16 and ISO 105-B02, using built-in whiteness (CIE W10) and yellowness (ASTM E313) indices.
• Food packaging QC—monitoring ink density shifts during flexographic print runs and correlating ΔE*ab drift with press maintenance cycles.
• Pharmaceutical tablet coating uniformity assessment—quantifying batch-to-batch hue variation in film-coated dosage forms under D65 illuminant.
• Educational labs—teaching CIE colorimetry fundamentals, metamerism detection, and light-source dependency effects using programmable illuminant switching (D65/D50/A).

FAQ

What color spaces and metrics does the NH300 support?
CIELAB (L*a*b*), CIELCH, CIEXYZ, CIELUV, CIERGB, whiteness (ISO 2470, ASTM E313), yellowness (ASTM E313), and color difference formulas including ΔE*ab, ΔE*CMC, ΔE94, and ΔE00.
Is the NH300 compliant with regulatory documentation standards?
Yes—when used with SpectraMagic NX software, it supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails, user authentication, and electronic signatures for GLP/GMP environments.
Can the device measure small or irregularly shaped samples?
The standard 8 mm aperture is suitable for most flat samples; optional extended probes allow access to concave surfaces and recessed features down to 25 mm depth.
How is inter-instrument agreement ensured across multiple NH300 units?
Each unit undergoes factory calibration against master standards traceable to NPL/NIST; maximum inter-unit variability is specified at ≤0.40 ΔE*ab under controlled conditions per ISO 13655.
Does the NH300 require annual recalibration?
No scheduled recalibration is mandated; however, users should perform daily white/black tile verification and document results as part of their internal QA protocol—consistent with ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7.