HunterLab UltraScan PRO Benchtop Spectrophotometric Color Difference Meter

Overview

The HunterLab UltraScan PRO is a high-precision benchtop spectrophotometric color difference meter engineered for rigorous color measurement and spectral analysis of solid, liquid, and translucent materials—including thermoplastic films, EVA encapsulants, polymer sheets, and coated substrates. Operating on the CIE d/8° integrating sphere geometry with dual-beam optical compensation, it delivers exceptional inter-instrument agreement and long-term stability across demanding industrial environments. Its pulsed xenon lamp provides full-spectrum illumination from 350 nm to 1050 nm—covering UV, visible, and near-infrared regions—enabling accurate quantification of metamerism, fluorescence, and near-IR absorbance critical in photovoltaic film quality control and advanced packaging R&D. The instrument employs a holographic diffraction grating and a 512-element silicon photodiode array, ensuring high signal-to-noise ratio and sub-nanometer wavelength fidelity (1.37 nm resolution, ±0.1 nm accuracy). Designed for compliance-driven laboratories, the UltraScan PRO supports traceable calibration via NIST-traceable standards and meets foundational requirements of ISO/IEC 17025, ASTM E308, and CIE Publication 15.

Key Features

• Dual-beam d/8° optical architecture with automatic specular component included/excluded (SCI/SCE) switching for consistent gloss-invariant measurements
• 15.2 cm (6″) Spectraflect-coated integrating sphere for uniform diffuse illumination and high reflectance stability
• Pulsed xenon lamp with CIE D65 spectral simulation—no warm-up time, minimal thermal drift, and extended lamp life (>1 million flashes)
• Full spectral acquisition at 5 nm intervals across 350–1050 nm; 5 nm effective bandwidth (FWHM) optimized for CIE tristimulus computation
• Three selectable measurement apertures (19 mm LAV, 9 mm MAV, 4 mm SAV) with integrated sample-viewing illumination and alignment mirror for small-area film analysis
• Large open-top transmission compartment accommodating cuvettes up to 80 mm path length—ideal for liquid EVA precursors, solvent-based adhesives, and clear polymer solutions
• Front-panel measurement trigger and intuitive status LEDs for rapid operator feedback without software dependency
• USB and RS-232C connectivity supporting both standalone operation and seamless integration into automated QA/QC workflows

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The UltraScan PRO is validated for direct measurement of opaque, translucent, and transparent films—including heat-activated thermoplastic adhesives, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) solar encapsulants, PET/PVC laminates, and functional coatings. Its wide spectral range enables detection of UV stabilizers, NIR-blocking pigments, and oxidation-related chromophores that fall outside conventional 400–700 nm colorimeters. Instrument performance conforms to ASTM D2244 (color difference calculation), ISO 11664-4 (CIE colorimetric observers), and USP (pharmaceutical packaging color consistency). When operated with EasyMatch-QC software, audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity controls satisfy FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for regulated manufacturing environments. Routine calibration verification follows ASTM E2539 and HunterLab’s internal GLP-compliant procedures.

Software & Data Management

The UltraScan PRO is fully compatible with HunterLab’s EasyMatch-QC software—a validated platform for statistical process control (SPC), pass/fail tolerancing, batch reporting, and multi-instrument network synchronization. Users can define custom color spaces (CIELAB, CMC, DIN99, ΔE00), set geometric tolerances for film haze and clarity, and generate ISO-compliant spectral reports with metadata tagging (operator ID, timestamp, environmental conditions). For coating formulation and spectral matching, optional EasyMatch-Coatings extends functionality with pigment library management, strength prediction, and metamerism index calculation. All spectral data are stored in vendor-neutral .qtx format, exportable to CSV, XML, or industry-standard CxF/XRGA for cross-platform interoperability with LIMS and ERP systems.

Applications

• Quality assurance of photovoltaic EVA encapsulant films—monitoring yellowing index (YI), browning coefficient (BC), and spectral shift during accelerated aging (IEC 61215)
• Color consistency validation across extrusion batches of thermoplastic polyolefin films used in automotive interior trim and medical packaging
• Quantitative assessment of optical clarity, haze, and yellowness in transparent PET and PC films per ASTM D1003 and ISO 14782
• Batch-to-batch comparison of dyed or pigmented hot-melt adhesives in flexible packaging lamination processes
• Spectral fingerprinting of UV-curable resins and NIR-absorbing functional films for smart window applications
• Regulatory documentation support for ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and AS9100-certified production lines requiring objective, instrument-based color release criteria

FAQ

What is the difference between SCI and SCE measurement modes?
SCI (Specular Component Included) captures total reflectance—including surface gloss—and is ideal for appearance-matching of textured or matte films. SCE (Specular Component Excluded) removes specular reflection to assess only the diffuse color of the substrate—critical when evaluating pigment dispersion in glossy thermoplastic films.
Can the UltraScan PRO measure thin films mounted on reflective substrates?
Yes—the instrument’s d/8° geometry and large integrating sphere minimize substrate interference. For optimal accuracy, use the 4 mm SAV aperture and back the film with a black trap or calibrated black reference tile to suppress substrate reflectance contributions.
Is spectral data export compliant with laboratory data integrity standards?
When paired with EasyMatch-QC v5.0+, all raw spectra, calibration logs, and user actions are recorded with time-stamped, immutable audit trails meeting ALCOA+ principles and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records.
How often does the instrument require recalibration?
HunterLab recommends daily verification using the supplied white tile and annual full recalibration by an authorized service center. Drift monitoring is supported via built-in diagnostic routines and NIST-traceable calibration standards.
Does the UltraScan PRO support measurement of wet or uncured films?
It is not designed for in-line wet-film measurement. However, cured or dried thermoplastic films—including solvent-cast or melt-extruded samples—can be measured reliably if mechanically stable and free of surface condensation or particulate contamination.