Fangyuan YG611M/S Xenon Arc Weather-Ometer for Color Fastness Testing
| Brand | Fangyuan |
|---|---|
| Origin | Zhejiang, China |
| Model | YG611M/S |
| Light Source | 3000W Air-Cooled Xenon Arc Lamp |
| Lamp Life | 1500 h |
| Sample Capacity | 10 specimens (dual-side loading) |
| Exposure Area per Specimen | 100 × 45 mm |
| Turntable Speed | 5 rpm |
| Turntable Radius | 175 mm |
| Temperature Range (Chamber) | 25–85 °C ±2 °C |
| Black Panel Temperature (BPT) | 30–100 °C ±2 °C |
| Black Standard Temperature (BST) | 30–110 °C ±1 °C |
| Humidity Range | 15–85 %RH ±5 %RH |
| Irradiance Control | 25–55 W/m² (300–400 nm, GB/T) |
| Cooling Compressor Power | 1000 W |
| Refrigeration Capacity | 2400 kcal/h |
| Water Tank Capacity | 5000 mL |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 900 × 620 × 1900 mm |
| Weight | ~230 kg |
| Power Supply | 220 V, 50 Hz, 20 A, 4500 W |
Overview
The Fangyuan YG611M/S Xenon Arc Weather-Ometer is an engineered solution for evaluating the color fastness and photostability of colored materials under simulated solar radiation and climatic stressors. It operates on the principle of xenon arc irradiation—utilizing a 3000W air-cooled long-arc xenon lamp to replicate the full spectral distribution of natural daylight (290–800 nm), including critical UV, visible, and near-infrared regions. The instrument integrates real-time irradiance monitoring and closed-loop digital compensation to maintain precise, traceable light intensity throughout exposure cycles—eliminating dependence on blue wool standards for calibration. Environmental parameters—including chamber temperature, black panel/standard temperature (BPT/BST), relative humidity, and intermittent water spray—are independently regulated via PID-controlled feedback loops. This architecture ensures metrological consistency across repeated test runs, supporting method reproducibility required for regulatory compliance and inter-laboratory comparison.
Key Features
- Real-time, closed-loop irradiance control with automatic digital compensation—adjustable without interrupting operation
- Imported 3000W xenon lamp system delivering spectrally accurate daylight simulation, validated against CIE No. 85 and ISO 4892-2 reference spectra
- Large-format color touchscreen interface (YG611M) or Sharp monochrome LCD with Chinese GUI (YG611S), displaying dynamic curves for irradiance, temperature, and humidity
- Dual-loop electronic redundancy architecture for continuous unattended operation up to 1000+ hours
- Self-aligning turntable with centrifugal clutch drive—enabling smooth specimen loading without manual indexing or jog functions
- Ultrasonic mist generator with precision droplet size control (≤10 µm median diameter), ensuring uniform, noiseless water spray for wetting cycles
- Integrated water purification and level-sensing system linked to external tap supply—preventing pump dry-run or nozzle clogging
- Multi-point safety monitoring: exhaust fan RPM, outlet air temperature, door interlock status, xenon lamp cooling airflow, reservoir level, and thermal cut-off triggers
- Open-programmable test sequencing—supporting custom ramp-hold profiles for irradiance, temperature, humidity, and spray timing
- Energy-efficient design consuming ≤4.5 kWh/h; no external voltage stabilizer required
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The YG611M/S accommodates flat textile specimens (woven, knitted, nonwovens), leather, dyed plastics, coatings, and automotive interior materials. Its 10-position rotating sample holder permits dual-sided exposure—critical for assessing differential fading in asymmetric substrates. The instrument meets the physical and operational requirements of major international standards, including AATCC TM16 (Methods 1–4), ISO 105-B02 (Xenon Arc, Controlled Irradiance), ISO 105-B04 (Xenon Arc, Continuous Light), GB/T 8427–2019 (Chinese national standard equivalent to ISO 105-B02), GB/T 8430–2013 (for polyester/cotton blends), GB/T 14576–2013 (lightfastness of textile dyes), and JIS L 0842. All control algorithms and sensor calibrations are traceable to NIST-traceable radiometric and thermometric references. Data logging adheres to GLP principles, with timestamped parameter records suitable for audit trails.
Software & Data Management
The embedded control firmware supports CSV export of time-stamped environmental logs (irradiance, BPT, chamber RH, spray cycle status) at user-defined intervals (1–60 s). For YG611M units, the touchscreen interface enables graphical overlay of up to four parameters simultaneously—facilitating immediate identification of deviations from setpoints. All test programs are password-protected and stored in non-volatile memory. While the base system does not include FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures or audit trail encryption, its data structure aligns with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) via RS-232 or optional Ethernet module—enabling integration into GMP-aligned quality workflows where raw sensor outputs require secondary validation.
Applications
This weather-ometer serves as a primary tool in textile R&D labs for predicting service-life color retention under outdoor exposure conditions. It supports comparative evaluation of dye classes (reactive, disperse, acid), pigment dispersion stability in coatings, UV absorber efficacy in synthetic fibers, and accelerated aging of automotive upholstery. In QC environments, it validates batch-to-batch consistency of dyed fabrics prior to shipment—particularly for export markets requiring AATCC or ISO certification. Its programmable spray function also enables simulation of dew formation and rain-wash effects in combined light/moisture testing protocols per ISO 105-B06. The BST/BPT control fidelity makes it suitable for studying thermal degradation pathways independent of photolytic mechanisms.
FAQ
What standards does the YG611M/S directly support without hardware modification?
AATCC TM16 (all methods), ISO 105-B02, ISO 105-B04, GB/T 8427, GB/T 8430, GB/T 14576, and JIS L 0842—all implemented via preloaded test templates and calibrated sensor ranges.
Is the xenon lamp spectral output certified against ISO 4892-2?
Yes—the lamp assembly and optical filter stack (1 primary daylight filter + 7 heat rejection filters) are configured to meet ISO 4892-2 Class I spectral irradiance tolerances between 300–800 nm.
Can humidity be controlled independently during dark cycles?
Yes—humidity regulation remains active during both irradiated and non-irradiated phases, enabling true cyclic weathering protocols per ISO 105-B04 Option 3.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the ultrasonic humidifier?
Daily visual inspection of nozzle cleanliness; quarterly descaling using 5% citric acid solution; annual replacement of piezoelectric transducer assembly per manufacturer’s service bulletin.
Does the instrument provide NIST-traceable calibration certificates?
Factory calibration reports include irradiance (W/m² @ 420 nm), BPT/BST (°C), and RH (%RH) verification against traceable standards; end-user recalibration services are available through authorized Fangyuan technical centers.
