Benefits of In-Process and In-Line Color Measurements

In-process and in-line color measurements refer to real-time color monitoring during the manufacturing process that alerts operators when colors move out of the acceptable specifications. With in-process monitoring, operators can correct their equipment before faulty products are manufactured so little to no material is wasted. In-process color measurement is essential to saving money during the manufacturing process and keeping your brand image consistent, recognizable and reliable.

Which Industries Use In-Line Color Measurements?

Many industries use the power of in-line color measurement for quality assurance and to uphold brand standards. The six major sectors that use spectrophotometric in-line color measurements are:

• Plastics industry
• Paper industry
• Coil coating industry
• Automotive industry
• Glass and textile industries

These industries use in-line color measurement throughout the manufacturing process for quality control. For specialized requirements such as plastic extrusion molding, identifying the products’ exact shade is critical to operations, and this equipment can meet industrial requirements. By measuring in-line color, you can effectively manage demanding measurement tasks and tight tolerance standards for color identification.

In-Process and In-Line Color Measurement Capabilities

At the advent of color measurement technology, analysts used densitometers to measure process colors using predefined density filters. Different sensor models work optimally with different measurement tasks within the plastics industry, such as transparent film versus structured surfaces.

In-Line Color Measurement

With in-line color measurement systems, you can use several different features to optimize day-to-day operations:

• Accurate measurement results even on curved or structured surfaces
• Reflection spectrum comparison capabilities for unique identification
• Rapid measurement speeds
• High degree of accuracy for laboratories and various plastics industry applications

In-Process Color Measurement

In-process measurement systems offer some key capabilities for your operational requirements:

• Automated closed-loop color control
• High degree of accuracy
• Automated defect containment features
• Real-time color monitoring

Advantages of Measuring Color In-Line or In-Process

You’ll gain several key advantages with trusted in-line or in-process color measurements:

• Consistent quality: The more measurements performed throughout a run, the more high-quality and consistent your products will be. More measurements allow for early warning and can help you correct changes throughout the manufacturing process.
• Optimized efficiency: In-line measurements also help you collect a large batch of sample measurements without destructive sample testing and saving valuable production time.
• Enhanced brand image: With in-line color measurement, you can increase your color quality and boost your brand image as you maintain a reputation for excellence.

Spectrophotometers and In-Process Color Control From HunterLab

HunterLab has been leading cutting-edge spectrophotometry technology for more than half a century and is eager to provide you with the most accurate equipment in the industry. Our spectrophotometers are powerful and reliable enough for the most challenging color measurement applications and can help you easily compare test samples against in-process tested factory samples. Whether you’re comparing fibers and textiles or plastic and metal compounds, we can help you sort through the materials at hand.

Contact HunterLab online to learn more about our spectrophotometry solutions and how we can help you procure the color testing equipment you need.