X-Rite Demonstrates Powerful New Instruments at K 2010 Show That Help Maintain Colour Quality of Plastics

X-Rite representatives will demonstrate how its new family of multi-angle spectrophotometers and other instruments and software can help automotive suppliers, packagers, appliance manufacturers and other companies to monitor and maintain precise control the color of plastics they blend and process.

Attendees of the K 2010 Show can view demonstrations and obtain information on the MA94, 96 and 98 instruments at X-Rite Europe’s booth at A75 in Hall 10, Messegelände Düsseldorf. Pre-show information may be obtained by visiting www.xrite.com or contacting Peter Rachel, Sales Director Germany, at e-mail prachel@xrite.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling +49 6102 7957 0.

In addition to the new multi-angle spectrophotometers, representatives from X-Rite Europe will demonstrate non-contact spectrophotometers such as the VS450 and VeriColor Spectro for industrial use and benchtop and portable instruments.

The MA94 and MA96 spectrophotometers are the next generation and improved versions of X-Rite's MA68II spectrophotometer that has been the workhorse for many manufacturers in a wide range of industries worldwide for years, said Felix Schmollgruber, product manager for X-Rite Europe that also serves Middle East, Africa and Asia. Data taken with the MA94, MA96 and MA98 spectrophotometers is fully compatible with existing data generated using the MA68II instrument.

The new spectrophotometers offer improvements such as better data repeatability and a more robust method for measuring flexible or curved surfaces, and customers will be able to utilize the advanced X-ColorQC® software that comes with the instruments to obtain more information from data.

Schmollgruber said the MA94, 96 and 98 instruments can help manufacturers identify and maintain the colour quality of parts that may originate from different production lines, factories or supply sources, saving money and time by reducing scrap and rework. Weighing approximately 1 kilogram and covered with a soft over-mold case for two-handed use, all of the instruments are designed for frequent and comfortable measurement by shop floor personnel.

The new MA94 is a direct replacement for X-Rite's MA68II spectrophotometer, but the new instrument has been improved in several key areas, Schmollgruber said.

The MA94 ensures reliable color measurement of flat, flexible and curved test surfaces by using three pressure sensors that quickly indicate to personnel that they have positioned the instrument correctly for readings. In addition to the pressure sensors, the instrument can show the locations of where parts are to be measured using X-Rite's proprietary JOBS workflow routine with both text and visual cues and records data for analysis using the X-ColorQC® software. The MA94 illuminates test surfaces with a tungsten halogen module and takes readings from five aspecular angles in less than two seconds.

The more advanced MA96 has all the features of the MA94, but takes measurements from six aspecular angles, one of which is -15 degrees to provide additional information for collecting data on effect paints and coatings.

Introduced last year, the MA98 is a precision 31-point spectrophotometer that is designed especially to measure effect paints for research and development, process improvements, and product refinements. With 11 sensors and two illuminators, the MA98 can detect characteristics of effect paints that the other instruments miss entirely, Schmollgruber said. The MA98 collects and manipulates data through its X-ColorQC® software and proprietary xDNA algorithms to generate easy-to-understand graphs and metrics show unique characteristics of effect paints.

The MA94, 96 and 98 instruments all feature:

-- X-Rite's proprietary JOBS workflow routine with both text and visual cues instructs the user where measurements need to be collected and records data for analysis using the bundled X-ColorQC® software

-- Quick measurement time of about 1 second, with calculation and display in a total of 2 seconds

-- Battery-powered operation that records more than 1,400 measurements per full charge, in addition to operation from an AC adapter

-- Data collection via USB 2.0 or wireless data collection via Bluetooth

-- Solid-state pressure sensors and indicator L.E.D.’s that signal when the instrument is applied properly against the test surface to improve measurement repeatability

-- Lamp modules that can be replaced without affecting the measurement performance or results of the instrument

-- Compatibility with previous generations of X-Rite instruments, allowing continued use of existing databases

-- A large colour display screen that is backlit for easy viewing under varying light conditions

-- Software that instructs the operator on the proper techniques of measurement with both text and visual cues