3nh NR200 Portable Spectrophotometric Color Difference Meter
| Brand | 3nh |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shenzhen, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Regional Classification | Domestic (China) |
| Model | NR200 |
| Product Category | Spectrophotometric Colorimeter |
| Instrument Type | Portable |
| Optical Geometry | d/8° integrating sphere |
| Light Source | LED with blue-chip excitation |
| Spectral Range | 400–800 nm |
| Repeatability | ΔE*ab ≤ 0.08 |
Overview
The 3nh NR200 Portable Spectrophotometric Color Difference Meter is an entry-level yet metrologically rigorous instrument engineered for consistent, traceable color measurement in production environments, quality control laboratories, and field applications. It operates on the principle of diffuse illumination and 8° viewing geometry (d/8°), conforming to CIE No. 15 and ISO 7724-1 standards for reflectance colorimetry. The device employs a high-stability blue-chip LED light source coupled with a precision diffraction grating spectrometer to capture full spectral data across the visible range (400–800 nm) at 10 nm resolution. This spectral acquisition enables calculation of CIE L*a*b*, L*C*h, ΔE*ab, ΔE*00, and other standardized color difference metrics per ISO 11664 and ASTM D2244. Its compact form factor (165 × 75 × 90 mm), integrated lithium-ion battery, and ergonomic grip support extended handheld operation without mechanical drift or thermal instability—critical for repeatable inter-operator measurements.
Key Features
- Optical architecture compliant with CIE d/8° geometry, including specular component included (SCI) mode for total reflectance measurement
- Full-spectrum acquisition using a linear CCD array detector with 31-channel spectral sampling
- ΔE*ab repeatability ≤ 0.08 under controlled ambient conditions (23 ± 2°C, 50 ± 10% RH), verified per ISO 13655:2017 methodology
- Integrated targeting system with white LED annular ring for precise sample alignment and consistent measurement area (Ø8 mm aperture)
- High-contrast 2.7-inch TFT LCD display with intuitive icon-based UI; no menu nesting beyond two levels
- Rechargeable 3.7 V / 2000 mAh Li-ion battery supporting ≥3,000 consecutive measurements per full charge, with low-power sleep mode activation after 30 seconds of inactivity
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The NR200 accommodates flat, rigid, and moderately curved non-transparent surfaces—including painted metal, plastic injection-molded parts, coated paper, textiles (with optional calibration tile), and ceramic glazes—provided surface roughness remains below Ra 3.2 µm and gloss values fall within 0–70 GU (60°). It is not intended for translucent, fluorescent, or highly specular materials without supplemental calibration protocols. The instrument meets electromagnetic compatibility requirements per CISPR 11 Class B and safety compliance per IEC 61010-1:2010. While not certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11, its firmware supports audit-trail-capable data export via PC software, enabling alignment with GLP/GMP documentation workflows when paired with validated procedures.
Software & Data Management
The bundled PC software—3nh Color Quality Manager (CQM v3.x)—is licensed per instrument via unique serial-number binding and password-protected activation. It supports multi-user role configuration, customizable report templates (PDF/CSV/XLSX), and long-term database archiving of measurement histories, reference standards, and tolerance sets. The software implements ISO 13655-compliant spectral interpolation and provides tools for batch deviation analysis, pass/fail threshold mapping, and chromaticity shift trend visualization over time. All exported datasets include embedded metadata: timestamp, operator ID, instrument SN, illuminant/observer condition (D65/10° default), and measurement mode (SCI/SCE). Raw spectral reflectance curves are exportable in ASCII format for third-party spectral modeling.
Applications
- Automotive interior trim verification against OEM color standards (e.g., Ford WSS-M99P1111-A, GM 6091M)
- Plastics compounders’ in-line QC during extrusion and injection molding
- Printing and packaging vendors validating spot color fidelity per ISO 12647-2:2013
- Paint and coatings distributors performing incoming material inspection against RAL, Pantone, or Munsell references
- Educational labs teaching CIE color space fundamentals and metamerism analysis
- Textile dye houses conducting shade matching under multiple illuminants (D65, A, F2)
FAQ
What calibration standards are required for daily use?
A certified white ceramic tile (certified to NIST-traceable standards) is supplied with each unit. Daily zero and white calibration is recommended before first use and after significant ambient temperature shifts (>5°C).
Does the NR200 support inter-instrument agreement (IIA) protocols?
Yes—inter-unit agreement testing per ASTM E308-22 Annex A3 is supported through the CQM software’s IIA report module, which calculates mean ΔE*ab between units using common reference tiles.
Can measurement data be integrated into enterprise MES or LIMS systems?
Direct API integration is not provided; however, CSV exports contain all fields required for manual ingestion or scripted import into SQL-based QA databases.
Is the device suitable for measuring metallic or pearlescent finishes?
No—the d/8° geometry does not resolve goniochromatic effects. For effect pigments, a multi-angle spectrophotometer (e.g., BYK-mac or X-Rite MA98) is required.
How often must the instrument be sent for factory recalibration?
Annual recalibration is recommended for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs; otherwise, biennial verification against traceable standards suffices for internal QC use.
