X-Rite Ci64 UV Portable Spectrophotometer

Overview

The X-Rite Ci64 UV Portable Spectrophotometer is an industrial-grade, handheld integrating sphere spectrophotometer engineered for high-fidelity color measurement across challenging substrates—including metallic inks, laminated foils, embossed packaging, anodized metals, and textured plastics. Its d/8° optical geometry with diffuse illumination ensures metrologically robust colorimetric data by minimizing directional bias and specular component exclusion (SCE) artifacts common in conventional 0/45° instruments. Unlike flat-surface-optimized devices, the Ci64 UV employs a tungsten halogen light source with spectral output stabilized across 400–700 nm, enabling stable reflectance measurements under variable ambient conditions. The inclusion of UV calibration capability allows quantitative assessment of optical brightening agents (OBAs), critical for accurate color evaluation in paper, textile, and coated packaging applications where fluorescence significantly impacts perceived whiteness and hue.

Key Features

• Integrated d/8° integrating sphere optics with dual-beam compensation for long-term photometric stability
• Dedicated UV calibration mode for OBA-sensitive materials—enabling compliant measurement per ISO 13655:2017 (M0/M1/M2)
• Three aperture options (4 mm, 8 mm, 14 mm) — Ci64 UV supports 4 mm and 8 mm apertures for precise spot measurement on small or irregular features
• High-resolution color LCD with intuitive graphical interface and flip-up display for ergonomic operation on vertical or overhead surfaces
• On-device storage for up to 4,000 spectral readings with embedded metadata (date/time, operator ID, sample ID, instrument configuration)
• Hot-swappable battery system — continuous operation enabled while charging secondary battery via optional AC adapter
• Bluetooth 4.2 (Class 1) with region-certified radio modules (CE, FCC, IC, SRRC, TELEC, KC, NCC) for secure wireless data transfer to mobile apps and enterprise QC platforms

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Ci64 UV is validated for use with non-Lambertian, geometrically complex, and highly reflective surfaces where traditional 0/45° geometry fails to deliver inter-instrument agreement. It meets ASTM E308-23 for color computation, ISO 11664-4:2019 for CIELAB implementation, and ISO 13655:2017 for spectral measurement modes (M0/M1/M2). When paired with NetProfiler 3.0, it supports full GLP/GMP traceability: each measurement generates a unique UUID, logs firmware revision, calibration history, and environmental sensor data (ambient temperature/humidity), and maintains immutable audit trails required under FDA 21 CFR Part 11. Its spectral response is certified against NIST-traceable standards, and inter-instrument agreement (IIA) is maintained within ΔE*ab ≤ 0.15 (for 12BCR reference tiles) across global production sites.

Software & Data Management

• NetProfiler 3.0 cloud platform enables remote validation, spectral recalibration, and predictive maintenance alerts based on drift analysis
• PantoneLIVE™ integration provides authenticated, cloud-synced access to brand-specific spectral libraries—ensuring consistent digital-to-physical color matching across OEMs, converters, and print service providers
• Backward compatibility with legacy SP series instruments via embedded spectral conversion algorithms (e.g., SP62 → Ci64 UV), reducing inter-device ΔE*ab variance by up to 40% versus raw spectral interpolation
• Export formats include .ciex, .csv, .xml, and industry-standard CGATS.21 for integration with ERP, MES, and LIMS systems
• Role-based user permissions and encrypted local database support multi-shift quality control environments

Applications

The Ci64 UV serves as the primary field and line-side color verification tool in regulated and high-value manufacturing segments: pharmaceutical blister packaging (color-coded child-resistant closures), automotive interior trim (metallic-effect coatings), luxury cosmetics (foil-stamped cartons), food & beverage canning (UV-fluorescent label inks), and electronics (anodized aluminum housings). Its ability to isolate fluorescence contribution makes it indispensable for QC labs validating OBA concentration in premium white papers and synthetic films. In supply chain contexts, it enables synchronized color approval workflows between brand owners, contract manufacturers, and third-party testing laboratories—all operating from identical spectral reference sets hosted on PantoneLIVE™.

FAQ

What distinguishes the Ci64 UV from the standard Ci64?
The Ci64 UV includes hardware-level UV LED excitation and dedicated M1 spectral calibration for quantifying optical brightener effects—essential when measuring substrates containing fluorescent whitening agents.
Is the Ci64 UV compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
Yes—when used with NetProfiler 3.0’s electronic signature module, audit trail logging, and role-based access controls, it satisfies electronic record and signature requirements for regulated industries.
Can the Ci64 UV measure transparent or translucent films?
It is optimized for opaque and semi-opaque reflective surfaces. For transmission measurement of clear films, X-Rite recommends the RM200QC or SpectroEye platforms.
How frequently should the instrument be calibrated?
X-Rite recommends daily zero calibration using the included white tile and quarterly NIST-traceable recalibration—automatically scheduled and documented via NetProfiler.
Does the Ci64 UV support custom tolerance definitions per product line?
Yes—users can define multiple pass/fail criteria (CIEDE2000, CMC, ΔE*ab) with independent tolerances for L*, a*, b*, and chroma, stored per job template and enforced at point-of-measurement.