3nh ST2020 Array Spectrophotometric Colorimeter

Overview

The 3nh ST2020 Array Spectrophotometric Colorimeter is a high-precision, portable color measurement instrument engineered for laboratory-grade color analysis, quality control, and cross-site color communication. It employs a dual-row 20-element silicon photodiode array sensor coupled with plane grating dispersion optics to deliver spectral reflectance data at 10 nm intervals across the visible spectrum (400–700 nm). Its d/8° integrating sphere geometry—supporting both SCI (Specular Component Included) and SCE (Specular Component Excluded) modes—ensures compliance with international standards including CIE Publication No. 15, ISO 7724-1, ASTM E1164, and DIN 5033 Teil 7. The inclusion of a dedicated UV LED source enables accurate quantification of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) and optical brighteners in textiles, paper, plastics, and cosmetics—critical for industries requiring UV-inclusive color evaluation under standardized illuminants.

Key Features

• High-stability dual-path optical architecture minimizes drift under ambient temperature or humidity fluctuations, ensuring long-term measurement consistency.
• Full-spectrum LED illumination (400–700 nm) with uniform spectral power distribution eliminates gaps common in conventional white LEDs—improving fidelity for metameric assessment and spectral reconstruction.
• Integrated 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display with real-time spectral graphing, color simulation, and pass/fail flagging supports rapid on-device decision-making.
• Three interchangeable apertures—Φ8/Φ10 mm platform, Φ4/Φ5 mm platform, and 1×3 mm slit—accommodate flat, curved, textured, and small-area samples without reconfiguration delays.
• Onboard camera-assisted targeting enables precise region-of-interest selection; visual confirmation ensures measurement alignment independent of operator skill level.
• Automatic contact-based calibration via smart base station with certified ≥95% reflectance standard white tile guarantees traceable, repeatable baseline performance.
• Built-in lithium-ion battery (3.7 V, 5000 mAh) supports >8,500 measurements per charge—optimized for field deployment and production-floor mobility.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ST2020 accommodates diverse physical sample types—including rigid panels, flexible films, powders (with optional test box), liquids (in cuvettes), and irregularly shaped components—via its modular aperture system and stable contact design. Its 40 mm integrating sphere and optimized beam path reduce texture-induced variability, making it suitable for matte, glossy, metallic, and pearlescent surfaces. Regulatory alignment includes full support for ISO/IEC 17025-compliant color testing workflows, GLP-relevant audit trails when paired with PC software, and compatibility with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements through encrypted data logging and user-access controls in the desktop application. All factory calibrations are traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) standards, with optional third-party certification available per ISO/IEC 17025.

Software & Data Management

The ST2020 integrates natively with cross-platform applications: Windows desktop software (for advanced spectral analysis, batch reporting, and QC charting), Android and iOS mobile apps (for real-time measurement sharing and remote calibration), WeChat Mini Programs (for factory-floor notification alerts), and HarmonyOS-compatible tools. Cloud-enabled color management allows centralized storage of up to 20,000 sample records per device (including simultaneous SCI/SCE pairs), with configurable export formats (CSV, PDF, XML) compliant with ERP and LIMS environments. The software suite supports full CIE color space computation—including CIELAB, CIELCh, CIE LUV, Hunter Lab, DIN99, Munsell C/2, and sRGB—as well as specialized indices such as whiteness (ASTM E313-00), yellowness (ASTM D1925), metamerism index (MI), hiding power, and dye strength. Audit logs record operator ID, timestamp, calibration events, and measurement parameters—enabling full traceability in GMP and ISO 9001 contexts.

Applications

This instrument serves as a primary color verification tool across regulated and industrial sectors: pigment formulation labs validate batch-to-batch consistency against master standards; automotive OEMs verify paint gloss and hue match across body panels; textile mills assess dye lot conformity under multiple illuminants (D65, TL84, U30); pharmaceutical manufacturers monitor capsule shell color stability per USP ; food packaging producers verify ink opacity and substrate whiteness; and cosmetic R&D teams quantify foundation shade accuracy under LED-B1/B2/B3 lighting conditions. Its portability and robust repeatability (ΔE*ab ≤ 0.028) also make it ideal for supplier audits, incoming inspection, and multi-site color harmonization programs.

FAQ

What is the spectral resolution and wavelength range of the ST2020?
The instrument uses plane grating dispersion with 10 nm spectral interval sampling across 400–700 nm, capturing 31 discrete reflectance values per measurement.
Does the ST2020 support fluorescence correction and UV-inclusive measurements?
Yes—it features a dedicated UV LED source and selectable UV-included/UV-excluded modes, enabling accurate evaluation of fluorescent materials per ISO 11475 and ASTM D5399.
How is inter-instrument agreement ensured across multiple ST2020 units?
With a maximum inter-instrument difference (IIID) of ΔE*ab ≤ 0.28 (measured on BCRA Series II tiles), the ST2020 meets stringent requirements for multi-unit color networks in global supply chains.
Can the ST2020 generate reports compliant with ISO 9001 or IATF 16949?
Yes—the desktop software exports calibrated measurement records with metadata (operator, date/time, illuminant, geometry, aperture), supporting internal audit documentation and external certification submissions.
Is firmware update capability available over-the-air or via USB?
Firmware updates are delivered via USB connection using the official 3nh ColorQC desktop application, ensuring version control and rollback integrity in validated environments.