3nh YS3070 Portable Spectrophotometer

Overview

The 3nh YS3070 Portable Spectrophotometer is an entry-level, high-reproducibility spectrophotometric color measurement instrument engineered for precision in industrial quality control environments. It operates on the CIE-compliant d/8° geometry—diffuse illumination with 8° viewing angle—enabling accurate simulation of human visual perception under standardized lighting conditions. The instrument employs a concave grating monochromator coupled with a 256-pixel dual-array CMOS sensor, delivering spectral data at 10 nm intervals across the visible spectrum (400–700 nm) with a 10 nm full width at half maximum (FWHM). Its optical architecture supports simultaneous Specular Component Included (SCI) and Specular Component Excluded (SCE) measurements, critical for evaluating both total reflectance and surface-appearance-sensitive color attributes in materials such as painted surfaces, plastic housings, textile fabrics, ceramic glazes, and printed substrates.

Key Features

• D/8° integrating sphere (Φ48 mm) with dual-mode SCI/SCE measurement capability, compliant with CIE No. 15, ISO 7724-1, ASTM E1164, DIN 5033-7, and GB/T 3978.
• Combined LED light source providing stable, flicker-free illumination with >3 million operational cycles and a rated service life exceeding 5 years.
• Integrated 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display with real-time camera-assisted targeting—ensuring precise positioning over the 8 mm (or optional 10 mm) measurement aperture.
• Compact, low-center-of-gravity horizontal form factor designed to minimize operator-induced motion artifacts during handheld operation.
• High repeatability: ΔE*ab ≤ 0.03 (MAV/SCI, after white tile calibration; n = 30, 5 s interval); inter-instrument agreement (inter-instrument agreement) ≤ 0.15 ΔE*ab (BCRA Series II 12-color tile set, MAV/SCI).
• Support for dual observer angles (2° and 10°) and 22 standard illuminants including D65, A, C, F-series, TL84, U30, and CWF—enabling cross-standard evaluation per ISO/CIE/ASTM requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The YS3070 accommodates flat, curved, textured, and moderately irregular surfaces typical of injection-molded plastics, coated metal parts, woven and knitted textiles, solvent- or UV-cured inks, and glazed ceramics. Its 8 mm measuring port (MAV) ensures representative sampling across heterogeneous materials while maintaining compatibility with industry-standard test protocols. Regulatory alignment includes conformance to GB/T 18833 (retroreflective sheeting), GB 2893 (safety colors), and ISO 105-A02 (colorfastness assessment). While not certified for GMP/GLP-regulated clinical or pharmaceutical applications, its data traceability—via timestamped measurement logs, user ID tagging, and audit-ready export formats—supports internal quality systems aligned with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 frameworks.

Software & Data Management

The instrument interfaces with 3nh’s SQCX Quality Control Software via USB, RS-232, or Bluetooth® v4.2. SQCX provides full spectral data visualization, statistical process control (SPC) charting (X-bar/R, Cp/Cpk), pass/fail tolerance mapping against L*a*b*, ΔE*00, or custom multi-parameter limits, and automated report generation (PDF/Excel). All stored measurements—including up to 1,000 standards and 20,000 samples (each with concurrent SCI/SCE records)—are time-stamped, user-annotated, and exportable without proprietary codec dependency. Raw spectral reflectance curves, CIE tristimulus values (XYZ), chromaticity coordinates (x,y), and derived indices (WI, YI, MI, metamerism index, staining/fading ratings) are retained in open CSV format for third-party integration with LIMS or MES platforms.

Applications

• Plastics & Electronics: Color consistency verification of ABS, PC, and PC/ABS housings across production batches; validation of electroplated or PVD-coated finishes.
• Paints & Inks: Batch-to-batch hue matching for automotive OEM coatings, industrial maintenance paints, and packaging gravure inks.
• Textiles & Apparel: Fastness evaluation (AATCC TM16, ISO 105-B02), shade sorting of dyed yarns and finished garments, and compliance with brand-specific color libraries (e.g., Pantone®, RAL).
• Printing & Packaging: Spot color verification on corrugated board, flexographic films, and litho-laminated cartons per ISO 12647-2 tolerances.
• Ceramics & Tiles: Glaze color uniformity monitoring during kiln firing cycles; raw material batch qualification using CIE L*C*h° metrics.

FAQ

What is the difference between SCI and SCE measurement modes?
SCI includes specular reflectance and measures total color appearance, ideal for comparing formulation-matched samples. SCE excludes specular reflection, emphasizing surface texture and gloss effects—critical for evaluating finished products under real-world viewing conditions.
Does the YS3070 support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
No. The device lacks electronic signature capability, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails required for regulated pharmaceutical or medical device workflows. It is intended for industrial QC, not clinical or cGMP environments.
Can the instrument measure transparent or translucent materials?
Not directly. The YS3070 is optimized for opaque or diffusely reflecting surfaces. For transparent films or liquids, a transmission accessory or dedicated transmission spectrophotometer is recommended.
How often should the instrument be calibrated?
White calibration is required before each measurement session or after ambient temperature shifts >5°C. Black calibration is performed automatically at power-on. Annual verification against NIST-traceable standards is advised for metrological continuity.
Is firmware upgrade supported in-field?
Yes. Firmware updates are delivered via SQCX software and applied through USB connection, ensuring ongoing compatibility with evolving color science standards and expanded illuminant/observer configurations.