Lovibond LC100 & SV100 Handheld Imaging Spectrocolorimeter System

Overview

The Lovibond LC100 & SV100 Imaging Spectrocolorimeter System is a CE-marked, ISO 13655-compliant portable color measurement platform engineered for high-fidelity color evaluation across heterogeneous sample matrices—including opaque solids, semi-solids, powders, pastes, tablets, and liquid suspensions—without requiring PC connectivity or external software. Unlike conventional tristimulus colorimeters, the LC100 employs a 45/0° optical geometry with an integrated integrating sphere and proprietary multi-angle, multi-illuminant imaging spectroscopy architecture. It captures 27 synchronized digital images per measurement—each under a distinct combination of directional illumination and spectral band (8 visible + 1 UV)—to reconstruct surface chromaticity, texture-dependent reflectance, and metamerism-sensitive color behavior. This imaging-based approach aligns closely with human visual assessment under standardized viewing conditions (CIE D65/10° and A/10°), enabling robust correlation with QC pass/fail decisions in regulated manufacturing environments.

Key Features

• Tri-directional 25-LED illumination system delivering precise spectral control across 8 visible bands (400–700 nm) and one dedicated UV channel (365 nm), supporting fluorescence detection in pharmaceutical excipients and cosmetic pigments.
• 45/0° imaging geometry compliant with ASTM E308, ISO/CIE 11664-4, and USP for uniform color quantification of non-uniform surfaces.
• On-device image preview and region-of-interest (ROI) framing prior to measurement—ensuring accurate spatial registration for repeatable sampling of textured or granular materials.
• Embedded calibration traceability to NIST-traceable standards; factory-calibrated against Lovibond® certified reference tiles with documented uncertainty budgets.
• Real-time ΔE00, ΔE94, ΔE76, and CMC(2:1) calculations with configurable tolerances per standard; automatic flagging of out-of-spec results during production line checks.
• Integrated alphanumeric keyboard and voice annotation capability for unambiguous sample labeling—critical for GLP/GMP audit trails in FDA-regulated facilities.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LC100 & SV100 system accommodates diverse physical forms without sample preparation: free-flowing powders (e.g., titanium dioxide, iron oxides), viscous pastes (toothpaste, ointments), compressed tablets (pharmaceutical dosage forms), food matrices (cheese, chocolate, ground spices), and cosmetic emulsions. The SV100 precision fixture provides mechanical stabilization, light-tight enclosure, and reproducible sample positioning using Lovibond® optical cuvettes or custom holders—eliminating ambient light interference and operator-induced variability. All measurement protocols adhere to ISO 8251 (pigments), ISO 9276-6 (powder characterization), and ICH Q5E (biopharmaceutical color consistency). Device firmware supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant user access controls when paired with validated USB storage workflows.

Software & Data Management

No host software is required for operation: all color analysis, statistical comparison, and report generation occur onboard. Each measurement stores full spectral image stacks, metadata (date/time/user ID), and geometric parameters. Reports are auto-generated in PDF (ISO 32000-1) and CSV (RFC 4180) formats directly to USB flash drives—compatible with enterprise document management systems and validated thermal printers supporting PDF rendering. Up to 20 user-defined standards (with revision history and timestamped validation records) and 350 sample measurements can be retained locally. Audit logs record all configuration changes, calibrations, and data exports—supporting internal quality audits and regulatory inspections under ISO 17025 and EU Annex 11.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical: Color release testing of tablets, capsules, and lyophilized powders per USP and EP 2.2.57.
• Food & Beverage: Batch-to-batch hue consistency monitoring of dairy products, confectionery, and spice blends.
• Cosmetics: Pigment dispersion uniformity assessment in foundations, lipsticks, and pressed powders.
• Chemicals & Paints: Raw material qualification of organic/inorganic colorants and batch acceptance of masterbatches.
• Academic Research: Quantitative study of photochromic, thermochromic, and fluorescence-enhanced materials.

FAQ

Does the LC100 require annual recalibration by an accredited lab?
No—built-in diagnostics and NIST-traceable reference tile verification enable user-performed performance checks per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7. External recalibration is recommended every 24 months or after impact exposure.
Can the device measure fluorescent samples under UV excitation?
Yes—the dedicated 365 nm UV LED enables detection of optical brighteners in detergents, paper, and pharmaceutical coatings, with simultaneous visible-band correction to isolate fluorescence contribution.
Is the SV100 fixture compatible with third-party sample holders?
Only Lovibond®-certified optical cuvettes and SV100-specific adapters are supported to maintain 45/0° geometry integrity and repeatability specifications.
How does the LC100 handle metamerism in color-critical applications?
By capturing full multi-illuminant image sets, it computes illuminant-dependent ΔE values and flags metameric failure when D65/A comparisons exceed user-defined thresholds—essential for automotive and packaging QC.
What data security protocols apply to USB export functions?
USB interface operates exclusively in mass-storage mode with no executable code execution; exported files contain no embedded macros or scripts—fully compliant with IEC 62443-3-3 SL2 requirements for industrial devices.