Lovibond PFXi195/4 Automated Colorimeter

Overview

The Lovibond® PFXi195/4 Automated Colorimeter is a precision-engineered tristimulus color measurement instrument designed for objective, operator-independent assessment of color in liquid samples—particularly dark oils, fats, waxes, resins, and industrial process streams. Operating on CIE 1931 standard observer principles, it employs a stable tungsten-halogen light source and a high-resolution silicon photodiode array spectrometer (380–780 nm, 10 nm bandwidth) to capture full spectral transmittance data. Unlike subjective visual comparison or basic filter-based colorimeters, the PFXi195/4 delivers metrologically traceable results aligned with internationally recognized color scales—including EBC (European Brewery Convention), ASBC (American Society of Brewing Chemists), ISO 27677 (petroleum products), ASTM D1500 (mineral oil), ASTM D5386 (liquid chemicals), and Pt-Co (APHA). Its optical architecture eliminates inter-operator variability and ambient light interference through sealed beam-path design, internal reference monitoring, and automatic zeroing routines. The instrument is engineered for routine use in both ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories and GMP-aligned production environments where color consistency directly impacts product specification compliance and batch release decisions.

Key Features

• Automated spectral acquisition and real-time CIE XYZ/L*a*b* calculation with <1.5 s measurement cycle time
• Removable stainless-steel sample chamber resistant to aggressive solvents, acids, and caustics per EN ISO 1456:2009
• Integrated RCMSi (Remote Calibration & Maintenance System) enabling over-the-network firmware updates, remote diagnostics, and audit-trail-enabled calibration verification
• Multi-standard support: preloaded algorithms for >20 industry-specific color scales—including Series 52 (Brown), Gardner, Saybolt, and CIE Lab-derived hue angle and chroma deviation metrics
• GLP-compliant data logging: timestamped records include operator ID, sample ID, measurement date/time, instrument serial number, and calibration status flag
• Flexible connectivity: dual-port interface (USB 2.0 + RJ45 LAN) supporting direct PC control, networked data aggregation, and integration into LIMS or MES platforms
• User-configurable interface: language selection (12 built-in), customizable display fields, password-protected administrator mode, and customizable startup screens

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PFXi195/4 accommodates standard rectangular or round cuvettes with optical path lengths from 10 mm to 50 mm, including optional flow-through cells for inline QC monitoring. Its robust stainless-steel optical chamber ensures long-term stability when measuring viscous, particulate-laden, or thermally sensitive samples common in edible oil refining, biodiesel production, pharmaceutical excipient manufacturing, and polymer synthesis. All factory-supplied color reference standards—including certified liquid standards (e.g., ASTM D1209 Pt-Co series) and NIST-traceable interference filters—are manufactured under Tintometer’s ISO 9001:2015 quality management system and documented per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. Instrument validation supports IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations when used with enabled audit trail and electronic signature functions.

Software & Data Management

The bundled Lovibond Color Control Software v5.x provides full instrument control, spectral visualization (normalized transmittance curves), CIE chromaticity diagram plotting (xyY, L*a*b*, u’v’), and statistical trend analysis across batches. It exports structured data in CSV, XML, and PDF formats compliant with laboratory documentation workflows. Raw spectral datasets are stored with metadata tags for retrospective reprocessing using updated color models. The software supports method templates, user-defined pass/fail limits, and automated report generation with embedded digital signatures. When deployed with RCMSi, the system maintains an immutable log of all calibration events, software updates, and user actions—satisfying GLP audit requirements for traceability and accountability.

Applications

• Quality control of edible oils (soybean, palm, sunflower) per AOCS Cd 13b-92 and ISO 17932
• Color grading of malt extracts, wort, and finished beer per ASBC Beer-1 and EBC Method 2.1
• Specification testing of lubricants, transformer oils, and hydraulic fluids against ASTM D1500
• Stability monitoring of dyes, pigments, and cosmetic emulsions during accelerated aging studies
• Raw material acceptance testing for pharmaceutical intermediates where color serves as a critical quality attribute (CQA)
• Process optimization in chemical synthesis where color shift indicates side-reaction progression or catalyst deactivation

FAQ

What color standards are pre-installed in the PFXi195/4?

The instrument includes EBC, ASBC, Gardner, Saybolt, Pt-Co (APHA), ISO 27677, ASTM D1500/D5386/D6166, and CIE L*a*b*—with additional scales downloadable via RCMSi.
Can the PFXi195/4 measure opaque or turbid samples?

It is optimized for transparent to semi-transparent liquids; for highly scattering media, users should validate suitability per ASTM D5386 Annex A1 and consider complementary haze measurement.
Is the instrument compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?

Yes—when configured with enabled electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based access controls via the Color Control Software.
How often does the instrument require recalibration?

Annual verification against certified reference standards is recommended; daily zeroing and weekly verification with primary standards satisfy ISO/IEC 17025 intermediate checks.
Does the PFXi195/4 support custom color standards?

Yes—users may define and store proprietary reference spectra or numeric targets using the instrument’s “User Scale” function and validate them against physical standards.