HunterLab Agera Desktop Color Difference Meter

Overview

The HunterLab Agera is a high-precision benchtop color and appearance measurement instrument engineered for industrial quality control laboratories requiring simultaneous, traceable quantification of color, gloss, and surface texture. It operates on dual optical principles: standard d/8° integrating sphere geometry for diffuse reflectance measurements—ideal for textured, granular, or irregular samples—and an optional 0°/45° annular illumination mode that emulates human visual assessment under controlled directional lighting. This dual-geometry architecture eliminates orientation-dependent bias in heterogeneous materials such as roasted coffee beans, plastic pellets, confectionery coatings, or woven textiles. The xenon flash lamp delivers stable, full-spectrum illumination across 360–700 nm, enabling accurate characterization of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) and optically brightened substrates through programmable UV energy control. All spectral data are acquired at 10 nm resolution with NIST-traceable calibration, supporting compliance with ISO/CIE colorimetric standards including CIE 1931 XYZ, CIELAB, CMC, and DIN99.

Key Features

• Dual optical geometry system: d/8° integrating sphere (standard) + switchable 0°/45° annular illumination for directional appearance evaluation
• Integrated 60° gloss sensor calibrated per ASTM D523 and ISO 2813, with certificate of traceability to national standards
• 5-megapixel embedded camera with 45° full-spectrum LED ring light for real-time sample positioning verification and archival image capture
• Three fixed-contact aperture options (XL, L, M) optimized for bulk particulates, small parts, or high-resolution surface mapping
• Self-contained 7-inch industrial-grade capacitive touchscreen interface (1280 × 800 px) running embedded EasyMatch Essentials software
• Multi-protocol connectivity: USB 2.0, USB OTG, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and SMTP email export
• Remote diagnostic and firmware update capability via secure HTTPS-based HunterLab Connect service

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Agera is validated for use with non-uniform, high-variability samples including roasted coffee beans, extruded polymer granules, ground spices, powdered pharmaceuticals, and embossed packaging films. Its intelligent auto-height sensor ensures consistent sample-to-aperture distance across irregular topographies, minimizing measurement drift. The instrument meets ISO 13655:2017 (spectral measurement geometry), ISO 11664-4:2019 (CIELAB color space), and ASTM E308-22 (computation of color coordinates from spectral data). Optional 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic record functionality includes audit trail logging, user authentication, and digital signature support—fully aligned with GLP and GMP documentation requirements for regulated industries.

Software & Data Management

EasyMatch Essentials provides an embedded, license-free QC environment supporting pass/fail tolerancing, batch reporting, statistical process control (SPC) charts, and custom index calculation (e.g., Yellowness Index, Whiteness Index, Delta E metrics). Users configure measurement workflows—including sequence logic, alarm thresholds, and report templates—without external PC dependency. Data export supports CSV, XML, and PDF formats; all images and spectra are time-stamped and linked to metadata (operator ID, lot number, environmental conditions). Networked units integrate with enterprise LIMS or MES platforms via OPC UA or RESTful API interfaces. Firmware updates and method libraries are distributed through HunterLab’s secure cloud portal with version-controlled revision history.

Applications

The Agera serves critical roles in food & beverage R&D (e.g., roast degree validation in coffee, browning index in baked goods), polymer manufacturing (color consistency across injection-molded components), pharmaceutical solid-dose production (tablet coating uniformity), and packaging quality assurance (metallic ink hue stability, holographic film iridescence). Its ability to co-register spectral reflectance, 60° gloss, and contextual RGB imagery enables root-cause analysis of appearance deviations—distinguishing between pigment dispersion issues, surface oxidation, or varnish degradation. In regulatory submissions, the instrument’s traceable calibration chain and Part 11-ready audit trail satisfy evidentiary requirements for color-related specifications in USP , ISO 8559, and EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex IV.

FAQ

Does the Agera require annual recalibration?
No—HunterLab ships each unit with factory-applied NIST-traceable calibration and recommends verification using supplied calibration tiles at user-defined intervals (typically quarterly); full recalibration is only required if physical damage or performance deviation exceeds specification limits.
Can the Agera measure transparent or translucent samples?
Yes—when used with optional transmission stand and backlit white reference, it supports transmittance mode per ASTM D1003 for clear polymers, liquid beverages, and coated glass.
Is remote software support available outside business hours?
Yes—HunterLab Connect enables encrypted remote diagnostics and guided troubleshooting 24/7, with session logs automatically archived for internal audit purposes.
How does the UV adjustment function comply with ISO 105-J03?
The programmable UV energy control allows users to replicate standardized daylight simulators (e.g., CIE Illuminant D65 with/without UV component), enabling direct comparison against ISO 105-J03 fluorescence test protocols.
What is the warranty coverage for optical components?
HunterLab provides a 3-year limited warranty covering all optical assemblies—including integrating sphere coating, diffuser elements, and spectrometer optics—against material and workmanship defects under normal laboratory use conditions.