Enhancing Color, Sparkle, and Texture Control

The appearance of finished effects is influenced by various viewing angles and conditions. In addition to observing light-to-dark transitions and color shifts, unique sparkling effects can also be achieved. The BYK-mac i spectrophotometer stands out for its ability to measure both multi-angle color and flake properties in one convenient device.

Conventional 5-angle color measurement: 15° / 25° / 45° / 75° / 110°
Additional measurement behind gloss for color shifts due to interference pigments: -15°
Assessment of sparkle and graininess for flake characterization.

Color Tolerancing - A Complex Endeavor

Every company employs its own unique tolerances for various colors. In recent years, weighted color equations have been devised to better align with our visual perception. BYK-Gardner serves as your partner in navigating through these diverse methods and assists in establishing a color difference method tailored to your specific customers.

Mastering color tolerancing becomes effortless with BYK-Gardner!

Exceptional Technical Performance for Reliable Color and Effect Measurement

The BYK-mac i spectrophotometer utilizes an LED light source renowned for its long-term stability and patented illumination control, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and minimal maintenance over many years.

With a 10-year warranty on the LEDs, there's no need for lamp changes. Calibration remains stable over the long term, requiring adjustment only every three months. Operating temperature remains consistent between 10 to 40°C without necessitating recalibration.

Furthermore, there's excellent consistency between instruments, enabling the use of digital standards throughout the supply chain.

Global Color Management

With superior accuracy and outstanding inter-instrument agreement, digital standards become viable for use. By adopting a single binding reference, potential sources of error are eliminated, eliminating the need for physical standards exchange.

As a result, color control data becomes highly reliable, fostering seamless and efficient communication among all involved parties. Embracing digital standards ensures that the entire supply chain remains precisely on target.

Predicting Lightfastness

The BYK-mac i provides insights into the lightfastness of colors. Equipped with additional sensors capable of detecting fluorescent light within the visible range, the instrument introduces a new index known as the Intensity Emission value. This value quantifies fluorescent light and proves valuable for both new color development and batch-to-batch control.

For user convenience, the BYK-mac i emits both audio and visual signals upon detecting fluorescence, ensuring ease of use and enhancing efficiency in color assessment.

Consistent Measurement at All Times

To ensure stable positioning, the BYK-mac i features trigger pins located on the bottom plate of the instrument.

If these pins fail to make contact with the surface, an error message will be displayed, guaranteeing reproducible results on test panels and even on curved parts (with a radius greater than 500 mm).

Furthermore, the instrument measures and records the surface temperature with each measurement, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the results.

Color and Effect Measurement of Anodized Surfaces

The surface finish of anodized products is shaped by both sandblasting and anodizing processes.

The BYK-mac i Pro integrates three measurement methods to accurately assess process variations:

1. Multi-angle color measurement, which discerns the lightness flop between near-angular and flop angles.
2. Graininess assessment, aimed at characterizing the minute textures produced by the sandblasting process.
3. The new Sparkle index ANO, designed to depict the surface's reflection behavior, ranging from subtle glimmers to more pronounced sparkling flashes.

These comprehensive measurements provide an objective evaluation of anodized surface quality, aiding in quality control and process optimization.