3nh NH300+ Portable High-Precision Color Difference Meter
| Brand | 3nh |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Domestic |
| Model | NH300+ |
| Product Type | Color Difference Meter |
| Instrument Type | Portable |
| Optical Geometry | 8°/d (8° illumination / diffuse reception) |
| Light Source | Full-spectrum LED |
| Spectral Range | 400–700 nm |
| Repeatability | Φ4 mm / ΔE*ab ≤ 0.07 (after instrument warm-up and calibration |
Overview
The 3nh NH300+ Portable High-Precision Color Difference Meter is an engineered solution for objective color assessment in industrial quality control, R&D laboratories, and production line environments. Based on the CIE 15:2004 and GB/T 3978 spectral measurement standards, it employs a dual-optical-path CMOS sensor architecture with 8°/d (8-degree illumination / diffuse viewing) geometry — ensuring compliance with major international colorimetric conventions including CIE 10° standard observer and D65 illuminant simulation. Unlike simplified tristimulus meters, the NH300+ integrates full-spectrum LED illumination across the visible range (400–700 nm), enabling high-fidelity spectral response and minimizing metamerism-related errors. Its compact, handheld form factor supports on-site measurement without sacrificing metrological integrity, making it suitable for applications requiring traceable, repeatable color data under variable ambient conditions.
Key Features
- Integrated auto-calibration: On-power-up white/black tile calibration eliminates manual drift correction and ensures baseline stability across operating sessions.
- Optimized ergonomics: Contoured chassis design conforms to ISO 9241-410 guidelines for handheld device usability, reducing operator fatigue during extended sampling campaigns.
- Patented spot-light targeting system: A coaxial LED guidance ring provides real-time visual confirmation of measurement area alignment — critical for consistent aperture placement on textured or curved surfaces.
- Dual-path CMOS photodetector array: Delivers improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced thermal drift versus single-sensor architectures, contributing to sub-0.07 ΔE*ab repeatability (Φ4 mm aperture, post-warm-up).
- Long-duration power management: Rechargeable 3.7 V / 3200 mAh Li-ion battery supports ≥5,000 consecutive measurements per charge, validated per IEC 62133 safety standards.
- TFT 2.8-inch 16:9 display: True-color interface with intuitive icon-based navigation, supporting real-time ΔE*ab, L*a*b*, L*C*h*, and XYZ outputs alongside pass/fail flagging.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The NH300+ accommodates flat, curved, textured, and semi-opaque samples via its fixed Φ8 mm measurement aperture (standard), with optional accessories including powder test kits and multi-angle fixtures for non-standard geometries. It meets essential regulatory requirements for routine color verification in GMP-aligned manufacturing: data output conforms to ASTM E308-22 conversion protocols; software-generated reports include timestamped audit trails, user ID fields, and measurement metadata required for GLP documentation. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, its PC software architecture supports configurable electronic signature workflows and export to CSV/PDF formats compatible with enterprise QMS platforms.
Software & Data Management
The bundled Quality Management Software (QMS v3.x) — licensed per instrument via unique serial-number authentication — enables advanced color analytics beyond onboard capabilities. Functions include spectral reflectance curve overlay, batch-wise ΔE accumulation trending, custom tolerance zone definition (ellipsoidal or rectangular in L*a*b* space), and cross-instrument comparison using BCRA Series II reference tiles. All measurement records retain embedded EXIF-style metadata: date/time, operator ID, aperture size, illuminant mode, and calibration status. Export options support ISO/IEC 17025-compliant reporting templates and integration with LabVantage or SAP QM modules via standardized XML schema.
Applications
- Plastics & polymer processing: Monitoring batch-to-batch hue consistency in injection-molded components and extruded profiles.
- Paint & coatings: Verifying color match fidelity against master standards prior to canning or application.
- Textiles & apparel: Assessing dye lot uniformity across woven, knitted, and dyed fabrics under controlled D65 simulation.
- Printing & packaging: Validating CMYK overprint accuracy and substrate-induced chromatic shifts on corrugated board or flexible films.
- Automotive interiors: Measuring trim panel color stability after UV exposure and thermal cycling per SAE J2527 protocols.
FAQ
What is the inter-instrument agreement (IIA) specification for the NH300+?
The unit-to-unit variation is specified as ΔE*ab ≤ 0.4 when measuring the BCRA Series II 12-tile set under identical environmental conditions.
Does the device support CIE 2000 (ΔE00) or other advanced color difference formulas?
Yes — firmware v2.1 and later support ΔE*ab, ΔE94, ΔE00, and ΔEcmc calculation modes, selectable via the onboard menu or QMS interface.
Can measurement data be synchronized across multiple NH300+ units in a distributed facility?
Yes — the QMS platform allows centralized database deployment with role-based access control, enabling synchronized calibration history and shared color standard libraries.
Is the full-spectrum LED source calibrated to NIST-traceable standards?
Each production batch undergoes spectral radiance validation against NIST SRM 2020 reference tiles; calibration certificates are available upon request for ISO 17025-accredited labs.
What is the expected service life of the optical path under continuous industrial use?
With proper handling and periodic verification using supplied white tile, the optical module maintains factory-rated performance for ≥3 years or 1.6 million actuations, per accelerated life testing per IEC 60068-2-64.
