Fangyuan Instruments DR60A 60-Degree Gloss Meter for Paint, Stone, and Furniture Surfaces
| Brand | Fangyuan Instruments |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Product Category | Domestic (China-Made) |
| Model | DR60A |
| Measurement Range | 0–199.9 GU (Gloss Units) |
| Measurement Angle | 60° |
| Accuracy | ±1.2 GU |
| Application-Specific Calibration | Optimized for stone, painted surfaces, wood furniture, and paper |
Overview
The Fangyuan Instruments DR60A 60-Degree Gloss Meter is a compact, entry-level optical instrument engineered for reliable and repeatable measurement of specular gloss on non-metallic, moderately reflective surfaces. Based on the principle of specular reflectance—defined as the ratio of reflected luminous flux to incident luminous flux at a fixed geometry—the DR60A operates strictly at the ISO 2813- and ASTM D523-specified 60° angle, ensuring compatibility with international quality control protocols for coatings, architectural stone, laminated wood, and printed media. Its optical path incorporates a stabilized tungsten-halogen light source, precision collimating optics, and a silicon photodiode detector calibrated against NIST-traceable standards. The device delivers direct readout in Gloss Units (GU), where 100 GU corresponds to the reflectance of a polished black glass reference standard (refractive index = 1.567) under identical geometric conditions. Designed for factory floor deployment and QC lab environments, the DR60A features a robust ABS housing, low-power consumption, and zero warm-up delay—enabling immediate measurement upon power-on.
Key Features
- Fixed 60° measurement geometry compliant with ISO 2813, ASTM D523, and GB/T 9754 standards
- Measurement range of 0–199.9 GU with 0.1 GU resolution and ±1.2 GU maximum permissible error at 60°
- Dual-mode operation: single-point measurement and continuous sampling mode (with auto-hold function)
- Integrated calibration verification using built-in ceramic reference tile (certified 100.0 ± 0.5 GU)
- Backlit LCD display with real-time statistical functions (min/max/avg/SD) across up to 99 stored readings
- USB-C interface supporting firmware updates and data export in CSV format without proprietary software dependency
- IP52-rated enclosure resistant to dust ingress and incidental water splashing during routine handling
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DR60A is validated for use on flat or gently curved non-metallic substrates with surface roughness (Ra) 600 GU) or highly textured surfaces (e.g., brushed stainless, honed limestone), its 60° geometry provides optimal sensitivity for mid-gloss materials—where deviations of ±2 GU are statistically significant in process control charts. All units ship with a Declaration of Conformity to CE marking requirements (2014/30/EU EMC Directive and 2011/65/EU RoHS), and factory calibration certificates include uncertainty budgets traceable to CNAS-accredited laboratories.
Software & Data Management
The DR60A operates autonomously but supports post-acquisition analysis via Fangyuan’s open-protocol DataLink Utility (Windows/macOS/Linux compatible). This lightweight application enables batch export of timestamped measurements—including operator ID, sample ID, ambient temperature/humidity (if logged externally), and statistical summaries—to Excel or LIMS-compatible formats. Audit trail functionality records all calibration events, configuration changes, and user logins in encrypted local logs, satisfying basic GLP documentation requirements. No cloud connectivity or subscription licensing is required; firmware updates are delivered as signed binary files with SHA-256 checksums for integrity verification.
Applications
- Final inspection of polished natural stone tiles prior to shipment (per EN 1469)
- In-line gloss verification of solvent-based and waterborne architectural paints on production lines
- Quality gate check for lacquered furniture components before packaging
- Gloss uniformity mapping across large-format printed signage and packaging substrates
- Supplier qualification testing for OEM coating vendors under APQP Phase 2 requirements
- Research-grade comparative studies of curing kinetics in UV-curable acrylic resins
FAQ
Is the DR60A suitable for measuring metallic or mirror-finished surfaces?
No. The DR60A is optimized for non-metallic, diffusely reflective surfaces. For high-gloss metals, electroplated parts, or anodized aluminum, a dedicated high-range gloss meter (e.g., B60M model, 0–1000 GU) is recommended.
Does the instrument require annual recalibration?
Yes. While the internal reference tile allows daily verification, ISO/IEC 17025-compliant labs must perform full recalibration at least annually—or after any physical impact or exposure to extreme thermal cycling—using accredited third-party services.
Can measurement data be integrated into SAP QM or Oracle Quality modules?
Yes, via CSV export. The DR60A’s structured output includes fields compatible with standard SAP QM import templates (e.g., MATNR, PLNNR, MEASUREMENT_VALUE, TIME_STAMP), enabling automated result posting without middleware.
What environmental conditions affect measurement accuracy?
Ambient illumination exceeding 1000 lux at the measurement port may introduce stray-light error. Measurements should be performed in shaded or controlled lighting environments, with surface temperature maintained between 15–30°C and relative humidity below 80% RH.
