Lasertec CR-400/CR-410 Portable Color Difference Meter

Overview

The Lasertec CR-400 and CR-410 are fourth-generation portable color difference meters engineered for high-precision reflectance color measurement in industrial quality control and R&D environments. Based on the CIE 1931 2° standard observer and compliant with ISO/CIE spectral evaluation protocols, these instruments employ a pulsed xenon lamp illumination system coupled with silicon photodiode arrays (6-channel) to deliver spectrally stable, flash-based measurements under standardized illuminants—including C and D65—enabling traceable color assessment across diverse material classes. Unlike filter-based tristimulus devices relying on LED or tungsten sources, the xenon flash ensures consistent spectral power distribution across repeated measurements, minimizing drift and supporting long-term inter-laboratory reproducibility. The CR-400 features an 8 mm measurement aperture optimized for flat, homogeneous surfaces such as painted panels, plastic sheets, and printed substrates. In contrast, the CR-410 integrates a large-area 50 mm aperture specifically designed for heterogeneous, textured, or granular samples—including textiles, wood veneers, ceramics, foodstuffs, and pharmaceutical tablets—eliminating the need for spatial averaging via multiple point measurements. Both models conform to the “diffuse illumination / 0° viewing” geometry (including specular component, SCI mode), ensuring compliance with ASTM D2244, ISO 11664-4, and JIS Z 8722 for comparative color evaluation in manufacturing QA/QC workflows.

Key Features

• High repeatability: ΔE*ab ≤ 0.07 (standard deviation over 30 consecutive measurements on certified white tile post-calibration)
• Robust inter-instrument agreement: ΔE*ab ≤ 0.6 (CR-400) and ≤ 0.8 (CR-410) against BCRA Series II reference tiles, supporting multi-site color consistency programs
• Dual-aperture configuration: CR-400 (Φ8/Φ11 mm) for precision spot analysis; CR-410 (Φ50/Φ53 mm) for macro-scale averaging on non-uniform surfaces
• Comprehensive colorimetric support: 15 standardized and application-specific color spaces—including CIE 2000 (ΔE₀₀), CMC (l:c), CIE 1994, and ASTM-compliant whiteness/yellowness indices (WI E313, YI D1925)
• User-definable metrics: Up to six custom formulas programmable using XYZ, Yxy, or L*a*b* inputs—enabling alignment with proprietary product specifications or internal tolerancing schemes
• Integrated thermal printer (DP-400 data processor): Real-time hardcopy output of measurement reports, tolerance charts, and statistical summaries (mean, SD, min/max)
• Multilingual UI: On-device language selection (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese) for global lab deployment and operator training
• Standalone probe operation: Measurement head includes local display, function keys, and battery—capable of independent use without DP-400 processor

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CR-400/410 series is validated for reflectance measurement of opaque, non-fluorescent materials across industries regulated by ISO, ASTM, and national standards. Its diffuse/0° optical path meets requirements for paint and coating evaluation per ASTM D2244 and ISO 18314-2. In food and pharmaceutical applications, the instrument supports visual quality verification aligned with USP guidance on color uniformity testing. For textile and apparel QC, it satisfies AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1 and ISO 105-J03 for batch-to-batch color matching. The CR-410’s large aperture enables representative sampling of particulate or fibrous matrices—critical for agricultural products (e.g., grain, tea leaves), powdered APIs, and ceramic glazes—where small-spot probes yield statistically unreliable results. All firmware and calibration routines adhere to GLP principles: full audit trail logging (via SpectraMagic NX software), electronic signature support, and secure user access levels compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 implementation when paired with validated IT infrastructure.

Software & Data Management

The optional SpectraMagic NX Windows® software provides full instrument control, advanced statistical analysis, and regulatory-compliant data handling. It supports automated report generation (PDF/CSV), SPC charting (X-bar/R, Cp/Cpk), and cross-instrument database synchronization. Raw spectral data is not captured (as the device is tristimulus, not spectrophotometric), but all calculated colorimetric values—including intermediate XYZ and derived metrics—are exportable with timestamps, operator IDs, and calibration metadata. The DP-400 data processor stores up to 2,000 measurements across 100 pages and enables on-device statistical functions (mean, SD, max/min) without PC connectivity. RS-232C and USB 2.0 interfaces support both legacy and modern integration—allowing direct linkage to MES or LIMS platforms via configurable ASCII protocols. Firmware updates preserve backward compatibility with CR-100/200/300 legacy data formats, ensuring continuity in long-term color trend analysis.

Applications

• Automotive & Industrial Coatings: Batch release verification against master standards; gloss-independent color matching on metallic and pearlescent finishes
• Plastics & Polymers: In-line QC of injection-molded parts, extruded profiles, and recycled resin blends
• Printing & Packaging: Spot-checking CMYK process control, substrate metamerism assessment, and brand-color consistency across print runs
• Food & Agriculture: Objective evaluation of fruit ripeness, meat freshness, cereal browning, and spice lot uniformity
• Pharmaceuticals: Tablet coating homogeneity, capsule shell color stability, and excipient batch qualification per ICH Q5C
• Academic Research: Teaching CIE color theory, material aging studies, and perceptual color difference modeling

FAQ

What is the difference between CR-400 and CR-410?
The CR-400 uses an 8 mm aperture for high-resolution measurement on smooth, uniform surfaces; the CR-410 features a 50 mm aperture optimized for heterogeneous, textured, or granular samples requiring spatial averaging.
Does the instrument comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
When used with SpectraMagic NX v3.6+ under validated conditions (electronic signatures, audit trails, role-based access), the system supports Part 11 compliance for regulated color documentation.
Can I measure fluorescent or transparent samples?
No—the CR-400/410 is designed exclusively for opaque, non-fluorescent reflectance measurement. Fluorescent or translucent materials require a spectrophotometer with UV calibration and d/0° geometry.
How often must I perform white calibration?
White calibration is required before each measurement session and after significant ambient temperature shifts (>5°C); daily recalibration is recommended for GMP environments.
Is NIST-traceable calibration available?
Yes—Lasertec offers factory calibration certificates traceable to NIST SRM 2011 and 2031, with optional annual recalibration services including uncertainty reporting per ISO/IEC 17025.