HunterLab Agera Polyester Chip Colorimeter

Overview

The HunterLab Agera Polyester Chip Colorimeter is a high-precision benchtop spectrophotometer engineered for objective, repeatable color and appearance measurement of heterogeneous solid samples—particularly polyester chips, plastic granules, coffee beans, textured foodstuffs, and other irregular or anisotropic materials. Utilizing a d/8° integrating sphere optical geometry with a full-spectrum balanced LED array (400–700 nm), the Agera captures reflectance spectra with metrological rigor while minimizing directional bias through dual-beam illumination and annular viewing optics. Unlike conventional 0°/45° geometries, the d/8° configuration simulates diffuse illumination conditions closely aligned with human visual perception under standard CIE illuminants, ensuring correlation between instrumental data and perceptual color evaluation. Its integrated 5-megapixel camera, synchronized with 45° full-spectrum lighting, enables real-time sample positioning verification and archival of true-field RGB images—each stored alongside spectral data for traceable contextual review. The system delivers simultaneous reporting of CIE L*a*b*, ΔE*₀₀, gloss (60°), and image-based surface uniformity metrics—all within a single measurement cycle.

Key Features

• True d/8° integrating sphere with dual-beam illumination to eliminate orientation-dependent variability in textured or directional samples
• Full-spectrum LED light source with stable spectral power distribution across 400–700 nm; UV energy output adjustable via factory presets or user-defined calibration for fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) quantification
• Three fixed-contact apertures (50.8 mm, 25.4 mm, 15.89 mm) optimized for bulk chip sampling and statistical representativeness
• Integrated 60° gloss sensor calibrated per ASTM D523 and ISO 2813, with NIST-traceable certification included
• Embedded 5 MP imaging subsystem with coaxial 45° illumination for geometrically accurate image capture and post-acquisition RGB histogram analysis
• 7-inch industrial-grade capacitive touchscreen (1280 × 800) running embedded EasyMatch Essentials software—no external PC required
• Multi-protocol connectivity: USB 2.0, USB OTG, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, and SMTP email export for audit-ready data transfer

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Agera is specifically validated for high-volume, non-uniform particulate samples such as PET and PBT polyester chips, where particle size distribution, surface roughness, and packing density introduce measurement challenges. Its intelligent auto-height sensor detects optimal focal distance for each sample bed, ensuring consistent probe-to-sample spacing regardless of chip pile height or topography. The instrument meets ISO/IEC 17025-relevant performance criteria for repeatability (ΔE*₀₀ ≤ 0.03 over 20 readings on white tile) and inter-instrument agreement (ΔE*₀₀ ≤ 0.15). For regulated environments, optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records functionality provides audit trails, role-based access control, digital signatures, and secure data archiving—fully compatible with GLP and GMP quality systems. All optical components are sealed against dust and moisture per IP54, supporting deployment in production labs and warehouse QC areas.

Software & Data Management

EasyMatch Essentials—a purpose-built, embedded quality control platform—supports ANSI, ASTM, ISO, and AATCC color difference formulas (including CMC, CIE94, CIE2000), whiteness/yellowness indices (ASTM E313, ISO 11475), and custom pass/fail tolerancing by L*a*b*, ΔE, or multi-parameter logic. Users define inspection workflows—including sequential measurements, batch averaging, and statistical process control (SPC) charting—directly on-device. Measurement data exports natively to CSV, PDF, or XML formats; image metadata embeds EXIF tags with timestamp, aperture, illuminant, and observer angle. With optional 21 CFR Part 11 mode enabled, all actions—including method edits, tolerance changes, and result approvals—are logged with immutable timestamps, operator IDs, and cryptographic integrity checks.

Applications

• Polyester chip color grading and batch release in fiber and bottle resin manufacturing
• Fluorescent brightener quantification in synthetic textile intermediates
• Surface appearance consistency assessment of injection-molded plastic granules
• Color stability monitoring of roasted coffee beans across roast profiles
• Quality control of powdered food ingredients subject to oxidation or moisture-induced hue shift
• Regulatory submission support for cosmetic pigment batches requiring image-augmented color documentation

FAQ

Does the Agera support measurement of fluorescent materials?
Yes—the instrument includes programmable UV output control and factory-calibrated FWA reference standards, enabling accurate quantification of fluorescent whitening agents per ISO 105-J03 and AATCC Test Method 110.
Can I use the Agera without connecting to a computer?
Absolutely—all core measurement, analysis, reporting, and data export functions operate independently via the onboard touchscreen and embedded software.
Is the 60° gloss measurement traceable to national standards?
Yes—each unit ships with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate for gloss, verified per ASTM D523 Annex A1 procedures.
How does the Agera handle sample heterogeneity in polyester chips?
Through combined use of large-area apertures (up to 50.8 mm), automated height sensing, and multi-point spatial averaging within the imaging field of view, it ensures statistically representative sampling of bulk chip lots.
What regulatory compliance options are available?
The FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Electronic Records module is available as a licensed option, providing full audit trail, electronic signature, and data integrity features required for pharmaceutical, medical device, and food safety applications.