3nh PS2040 Portable High-Precision Spectrophotometric Color Difference Meter
| Brand | 3nh |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Color Difference Meter |
| Instrument Type | Portable |
| Optical Geometry | d/8° integrating sphere |
| Light Source | Full-spectrum LED array |
| Spectral Range | 400–700 nm |
| Repeatability | ΔE*ab ≤ 0.035 (std dev, after warm-up and calibration, 30 measurements of standard white tile at 5 s intervals) |
Overview
The 3nh PS2040 is a portable, high-precision spectrophotometric color difference meter engineered for traceable, repeatable color measurement across industrial quality control environments. It operates on the CIE-compliant d/8° geometry with dual-mode SCI (Specular Component Included) and SCE (Specular Component Excluded) measurement capability—ensuring accurate characterization of both diffuse and specular reflectance components in coated, textured, or glossy surfaces. Its core optical architecture integrates a full-spectrum LED light source (400–700 nm) and a CMOS-based dual-channel spectral sensor, enabling high-fidelity spectral reflectance acquisition without interpolation artifacts. Unlike filtered LED or xenon-pulsed systems, the PS2040’s spectrally balanced illumination eliminates gaps in the visible spectrum—critical for reliable assessment of fluorescent pigments, metamerism-sensitive formulations, and daylight-matching applications. Designed for compliance with ISO 7724-1, ASTM E1164, CIE No. 15, GB/T 3978, and DIN 5033 Teil 7, the instrument delivers metrologically traceable data aligned with national standards (NIM, China National Institute of Metrology), supporting GLP-aligned workflows and audit-ready documentation.
Key Features
- Dual-Mode d/8° Optical System: Simultaneous SCI/SCE measurement within a single acquisition cycle—ideal for evaluating color consistency across varying surface finishes (e.g., matte vs. high-gloss automotive paints).
- Full-Spectrum LED Illumination: Uniform spectral power distribution from 400 to 700 nm eliminates wavelength-dependent bias; enables accurate measurement of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) and UV-reactive pigments without auxiliary UV sources.
- CMOS Dual-Channel Spectral Sensor: High-speed, low-noise detection with <0.035 ΔE*ab repeatability (MAV/SCI mode) and ≤0.2% spectral reflectance standard deviation across the visible band—validated per ISO 13655:2017.
- Auto-Contact White Calibration: Integrated smart calibration base with NIST-traceable ceramic white tile (R ≥ 95% @ 400–700 nm, uniformity ±0.2%) enables one-touch, operator-independent recalibration—reducing drift-related uncertainty in field use.
- Ergonomic & Field-Ready Design: 270 g mass, 94 × 68 × 188 mm footprint, IP52-rated enclosure, and capacitive 2.8″ TFT touchscreen optimized for gloved operation and rapid pass/fail decisions in production lines.
- Multi-Illuminant & Multi-Space Support: 22 standardized illuminants (D65, A, F-series, TL84, U35, etc.) and 10 color spaces (CIE LAB, LCH, XYZ, Yxy, DIN99, Hunter Lab, sRGB, βxy, etc.) enable cross-standard comparison and legacy system integration.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The PS2040 accommodates diverse sample geometries via interchangeable apertures: Φ4 mm small-area view (SAV) and Φ5 mm conical tip for recessed, curved, or narrow-surface targets—common in automotive trim, PCB solder mask inspection, and textile swatch evaluation. It meets regulatory requirements for color-critical industries: ASTM D2244 (paints), ISO 105-J03 (textile colorfastness), ISO 12048 (plastic film hue), and USP (pharmaceutical packaging). All units ship with factory-issued calibration certificates referencing NIM-certified reference standards, satisfying ISO/IEC 17025 internal audit requirements and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations when paired with SQCX software audit trails.
Software & Data Management
The included SQCX Quality Control Software (Windows-compatible, free download) provides full spectral data export (CSV, XML, CxF/XRGA), statistical process control (SPC) charting (X-bar/R, Cp/Cpk), batch deviation analysis, and automated report generation compliant with ISO 9001 clause 8.5.2. The software enforces user-level access controls, electronic signatures, and immutable audit logs—including timestamped calibration events, measurement history, and parameter change records—supporting GMP/GLP validation protocols. Raw spectral data can be imported into third-party platforms (e.g., MATLAB, Python pandas) for custom algorithm development or AI-driven color deviation modeling.
Applications
- Paint & Coatings: Batch-to-batch color matching verification for OEM automotive refinishes, architectural coatings, and powder coating lines—particularly where metallic flake orientation or orange peel affects SCE/SCI divergence.
- Plastics & Electronics: Color consistency monitoring of injection-molded housings, PCB silkscreen inks, and OLED display bezels under multiple illuminants to detect metamerism before final assembly.
- Textiles & Apparel: Fastness grading (AATCC TM150, ISO 105-B02), dye lot approval, and shade sorting across woven, knitted, and nonwoven substrates using CMC(2:1) or ΔE00 tolerancing.
- Printing & Packaging: Spot color verification (Pantone, DIC), substrate compensation, and print-through assessment on corrugated board, flexible films, and foil-laminated cartons.
- Ceramics & Building Materials: Glaze color uniformity checks in tile manufacturing and façade cladding production—leveraging DIN99 for perceptually uniform tolerance zones.
FAQ
Is the PS2040 compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 calibration requirements?
Yes—each unit includes a NIM-traceable calibration certificate and supports periodic verification using certified BCRA Series II tiles (ΔE*ab ≤ 0.35 inter-instrument agreement).
Can the PS2040 measure fluorescent or phosphorescent materials?
Yes—the full-spectrum LED source provides stable excitation across 400–400 nm, enabling quantitative assessment of fluorescent whitening agents without spectral extrapolation.
What is the battery life under continuous measurement conditions?
Up to 8 hours (≈8,000 measurements) on a single 5000 mAh Li-ion charge; USB-C recharging supports hot-swap operation in shift-based QC labs.
Does SQCX software support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes—SQCX implements role-based authentication, electronic signatures, and tamper-evident audit logs with retention controls, meeting FDA requirements for regulated color release testing.
How does the PS2040 handle curved or irregular surfaces?
The Φ5 mm conical aperture ensures consistent contact pressure and geometry control on convex, concave, or textured surfaces—validated per ASTM D2244 Annex A3 for non-planar substrates.
