3nh TS8560 Desktop Spectrophotometer

Overview

The 3nh TS8560 Desktop Spectrophotometer is a high-precision, dual-source spectrophotometric color measurement system engineered for laboratory-grade color quality control in R&D, production, and QC environments. It operates on the CIE-compliant d/8° geometry with integrated sphere optics, supporting both Specular Component Included (SCI) and Specular Component Excluded (SCE) measurement modes—enabling accurate characterization of surface appearance, texture effects, and metamerism across diverse material classes. The instrument employs a 256-pixel dual-array CMOS linear image sensor coupled with a concave holographic grating, delivering high signal-to-noise ratio and spectral stability across its full 360–780 nm range at 10 nm resolution (FWHM ≈ 5 nm). Unlike filter-based tristimulus meters, the TS8560 captures full spectral reflectance and transmittance data, enabling rigorous color difference analysis, spectral correlation assessment, and fluorescence compensation—critical for evaluating optically brightened materials, pigmented polymers, and UV-responsive coatings.

Key Features

• Dual illumination architecture: Independent full-spectrum LED array (360–780 nm, including UV) and pulsed xenon lamp provide stable, reproducible excitation for both routine and fluorescence-sensitive measurements—eliminating lamp aging drift and enabling long-term inter-laboratory consistency.
• Integrated 10.5-inch rotatable tablet PC with 128 GB onboard storage: Touch-optimized UI supports real-time camera-assisted targeting, spectral visualization, multi-parameter reporting, and offline data review—no external PC required for standard operation.
• Automatic aperture recognition: Four interchangeable apertures (Φ25.4 mm, Φ15 mm, Φ8 mm, Φ4 mm) are mechanically detected upon insertion, ensuring correct calibration loading and measurement configuration without manual input errors.
• Multi-orientation measurement capability: Configurable mounting options support horizontal, vertical, inverted, and side-facing sample placement—including optional fixtures for Petri dishes, microplates, thin films, and liquid cuvettes—enhancing adaptability to non-standard geometries.
• Real-time environmental compensation: Onboard temperature and humidity sensors feed dynamic correction algorithms into spectral data processing, mitigating thermal drift and moisture-induced optical path variations—particularly critical for high-accuracy textile, paper, and plastic applications.
• Open-path transmission chamber: Accommodates samples up to 54 mm thick with unrestricted height, enabling direct measurement of laminated composites, glass panels, and molded optical components without disassembly.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TS8560 is validated for use across ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories and regulated manufacturing environments. Its optical design conforms to CIE Publication No. 15:2018, ISO 7724-1:2019, ASTM E1164–22, DIN 5033-7, JIS Z 8722:2012, and GB/T 3978–2008. For regulatory traceability, it supports GLP/GMP-aligned audit trails when used with the optional SQCX software suite (including user access controls, electronic signatures per FDA 21 CFR Part 11, and versioned report generation). The instrument meets ASTM D1003 for haze measurement and supports APHA/Pt-Co, Gardner, Saybolt, and ASTM D1500 color scales for liquid and transparent media. Its dual UV/visible source configuration ensures compliance with ISO 105-A02 for fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) evaluation and ISO 11475 for daylight simulation under D65.

Software & Data Management

The bundled SQCX Quality Control Software provides enterprise-level color data governance: centralized database architecture, customizable pass/fail tolerances per product line, statistical process control (SPC) charting (X-bar/R, Cp/Cpk), cross-instrument fleet calibration alignment, and automated PDF/Excel report generation. Raw spectral data (ASCII .csv or proprietary .spc format) is retained with full metadata (timestamp, operator ID, environmental conditions, aperture, illuminant, observer angle). The software supports multi-language UIs (English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Thai, Polish, Portuguese), configurable workflow templates, and integration with LIMS via RESTful API. All measurement history—including spectral curves, chromaticity coordinates, and derived indices (WI, YI, Mt, gloss, haze)—is stored with immutable timestamps and checksum-verified integrity.

Applications

The TS8560 serves as a primary reference instrument in industries requiring metrological rigor and spectral fidelity: automotive interior trim validation (ISO 10128, SAE J1545), paint and ink formulation QC (ASTM D2244, ISO 18314-2), textile dye lot matching (AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1, ISO 105-J03), pharmaceutical film coating uniformity (USP , ICH Q5C), food packaging color consistency (ASTM F2717), and display panel chromaticity verification (CIE 178:2007). Its ability to measure simultaneously in SCI and SCE modes enables robust differentiation between pigment dispersion quality (SCI) and surface finish effects (SCE)—a requirement in cosmetic compact powder, metallic automotive finishes, and matte-finish architectural coatings.

FAQ

What standards does the TS8560 comply with for color measurement?
It conforms to CIE No. 15:2018, ISO 7724-1:2019, ASTM E1164–22, DIN 5033-7, JIS Z 8722:2012, and GB/T 3978–2008 for reflectance; ASTM D1003 for haze; and ISO 105-A02 for fluorescent material evaluation.
Can the TS8560 measure fluorescent and UV-brightened samples accurately?
Yes—the integrated UV-emitting LED array (360–400 nm) and xenon lamp enable full-spectrum excitation and measurement, supporting quantitative FWA assessment per ISO 105-A02 and ASTM E308 Annex A8.
Is the instrument suitable for GxP-regulated environments?
When used with SQCX software configured for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance (audit trail, electronic signatures, role-based access), it supports validated color management workflows in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing.
How is inter-instrument agreement maintained across multiple TS8560 units?
Each unit undergoes factory calibration against BCRA Series II ceramic tiles; inter-instrument agreement is specified at ΔE*ab ≤ 0.1 (Φ25.4 mm, SCI), and field recalibration is supported via NIST-traceable calibration tiles and remote firmware updates.
Does the TS8560 support custom illuminants beyond the 41 built-in options?
Yes—custom spectral power distributions (SPDs) can be imported via SQCX software for specialized lighting simulations (e.g., retail LED spectra, automotive headlamp sources, or museum gallery lighting).