HORIBA IG-320 60° Portable Gloss Meter
| Brand | HORIBA |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | IG-320 |
| Measurement Angle | 60° |
| Measurement Range | 0–100 GU |
| Resolution | 0.1 GU |
| Accuracy | ±0.5% F.S. ±1 digit |
| Spot Size | 16 mm × 12 mm |
| Display | LED numeric |
| Power Supply | 9 V DC battery (1 pc) |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 78 × 189 × 58 mm |
| Calibration | Automatic self-calibration with reference standard recognition |
| Detector Design | Detachable sensor head |
| Data Memory | Stores up to 99 measurement points with statistical analysis (mean, standard deviation) |
Overview
The HORIBA IG-320 is a precision-engineered, hand-held 60° gloss meter designed for rapid, repeatable, and traceable surface gloss evaluation in industrial quality control and maintenance applications. It operates on the principle of specular reflectance measurement per ISO 2813, ASTM D523, ASTM C584, DIN 67530, and GB/T 9754—standardized geometries that define gloss as the ratio of reflected luminous flux to incident flux under controlled illumination and viewing conditions at a fixed angle (60°). Unlike subjective visual assessment—which suffers from inter-observer variability, fatigue, and contextual bias—the IG-320 delivers objective, unit-based quantification in Gloss Units (GU), enabling consistent pass/fail decisions across production lines, supplier audits, and facility upkeep protocols. Its compact form factor, zero warm-up requirement, and immediate-on activation support real-time measurements on flat or gently curved surfaces including painted automotive panels, coated metal substrates, ceramic tiles, marble cladding, plastic injection-molded parts, and printed packaging films.
Key Features
- True 60° geometry compliant with ISO 2813 and ASTM D523 for medium-gloss surfaces—optimized for paints, varnishes, plastics, and architectural materials;
- High-resolution digital display (0.1 GU resolution) with ±0.5% full-scale accuracy ensures metrological reliability for internal QC and cross-site data harmonization;
- Detachable optical sensor head enables flexible positioning in confined or ergonomically constrained areas—e.g., interior vehicle trim, pipe bends, or narrow grout lines;
- Automatic calibration recognition system validates instrument readiness prior to each measurement using embedded reference standard identification—eliminating manual zeroing errors;
- Built-in statistical memory stores up to 99 individual readings with on-device calculation of arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and max/min values—supporting SPC-ready documentation without external software;
- Rugged aluminum housing and sealed optical path resist dust ingress and mechanical shock, meeting IP52-rated environmental robustness for factory floor deployment;
- Single 9 V alkaline battery provides >10,000 measurements per charge—ideal for extended field use, warehouse inspections, or multi-site audits.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The IG-320 is validated for non-destructive, contact-mode gloss assessment on homogeneous, non-metallic, and moderately reflective surfaces with surface roughness Ra < 1.6 µm. Compatible substrates include solvent- and water-based coatings, thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, glazed ceramics, polished natural stone (e.g., granite, marble), and laminated composites. It is not intended for highly absorptive, textured, or anisotropic surfaces (e.g., brushed metals, suede finishes, or holographic films), where multi-angle or goniophotometric methods are recommended. The device conforms to international regulatory frameworks governing measurement traceability: calibration procedures align with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing laboratories; measurement reporting supports GLP-compliant audit trails when integrated with HORIBA’s optional data export accessories. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11 certified as a standalone unit, its deterministic output format and immutable memory log facilitate integration into GMP-aligned quality management systems.
Software & Data Management
The IG-320 operates as a fully autonomous measurement node—no drivers, firmware updates, or host PC required for core functionality. All acquired data reside securely within non-volatile memory and can be manually transcribed or exported via optional RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapter (sold separately). HORIBA’s companion desktop application—GlossLink™ v3.2—enables batch import, trend charting, histogram generation, and PDF report templating with embedded metadata (date/time stamp, operator ID, sample ID). Export formats include CSV (for Excel/SPC software), XML (for LIMS integration), and proprietary .GLS files with embedded calibration history. Audit logging includes timestamped records of all calibration events, memory resets, and battery status warnings—supporting ISO 9001 clause 7.1.5.2 (Measurement Traceability) and IATF 16949 section 7.1.5.3.1 (Calibration Management).
Applications
- Automotive OEM and Tier-1 suppliers: In-line verification of basecoat/clearcoat gloss uniformity post-bake and pre-polish;
- Architectural coatings manufacturers: Batch release testing per ASTM D2457 for exterior façade paints and interior wall enamels;
- Ceramic tile producers: Final inspection of glaze gloss consistency across kiln lots (GB/T 9966.2 compliance);
- Packaging converters: Monitoring gloss retention of UV-cured overprint varnishes on folding cartons;
- Facility management teams: Objective benchmarking of floor polish degradation during routine maintenance cycles;
- Research labs: Correlating gloss decay with accelerated weathering exposure (QUV, Xenon arc) per ISO 4892-2.
FAQ
What standards does the IG-320 comply with for 60° gloss measurement?
It adheres to ISO 2813, ASTM D523, ASTM C584, DIN 67530, JIS Z 8741, GB/T 9754, and GB/T 9966.2 for medium-gloss surfaces.
Can the IG-320 measure low-gloss or high-gloss surfaces outside 0–100 GU?
No—it is optimized for the 60° medium-gloss range. For surfaces 70 GU, complementary 20° or 85° configurations (e.g., IG-331 or IG-340) are recommended.
Is calibration traceable to national metrology institutes?
Yes—HORIBA provides NIST-traceable calibration certificates (optional) with uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025, covering linearity, repeatability, and angular alignment.
Does the IG-320 support GLP/GMP documentation requirements?
Its onboard memory logs timestamps and statistical summaries; when paired with GlossLink™ and secure network storage, it satisfies ALCOA+ data integrity principles for regulated environments.
How often should the instrument be recalibrated?
Annual recalibration is recommended; however, daily verification using the included ceramic reference standard (100 GU nominal) is mandatory per ISO 2813 Section 7.2.
