Related Manuals for HunterLab ColorFlex EZ Coffee
Summary of Contents for HunterLab ColorFlex EZ Coffee
- Page 1 User’s Manual for ® ColorFlex EZ Coffee Hunter Associates Laboratory 11491 Sunset Hills Road Reston, Virginia 20190 www.hunterlab.com A60-1016-181, Version 2.0 For ColorFlex EZ firmware version 1.0 and above...
- Page 2 Sparkleen is a trademark of Fisher Scientific Company LLC. Safety Notes For safety when using the ColorFlex EZ Coffee, pay attention to the following types of statements in this User’s Guide. Each description is shown in its representative typeface. Note: General safety instruction that should always be observed while operating the instrument.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Contents INTRODUCTION TO THE COLORFLEX EZ COFFEE SYSTEM ............7 Accessories ..........................7 Installation ........................... 8 THE BASICS OF COLORFLEX EZ COFFEE OPERATION ..............9 The Button Pad and LCD Display ....................9 Menus and Prompts ........................ - Page 4 Sample Presentation ......................... 47 Directional Samples ........................ 48 Non-opaque Samples ......................48 Translucent Samples ......................48 MAINTAINING AND TESTING COLORFLEX EZ COFFEE ............49 Cleaning the ColorFlex EZ Coffee....................49 Maintaining the Instrument Standards ..................49 Replacing the Lamp ........................49 Diagnostics ..........................
- Page 5 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Port Inserts ..........................61 Glass Port Insert ........................61 420 nm UV Port Insert ......................62 Sample Cup Set for Translucent Liquids ................. 62 Sample Cup Port Plate ......................62 64 mm (2.5 in) Glass Sample Cup ................... 62 Sample Cup Opaque Cover ....................
- Page 6 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0...
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Page 7: Introduction To The Colorflex Ez Coffee System
ColorFlex EZ Coffee is available with a regular port and 45°/0° geometry. The ground coffee will be read through the bottom of a 90 - 100 mm disposable polystyrene petri dish (25 mm sides). -
Page 8: Installation
NEW HARDWARE message disappears. Other devices, such as the printer, bar code reader, and keyboard, are automatically detected by the ColorFlex EZ Coffee. Turn the ColorFlex EZ Coffee on by pressing the GO (lightning bolt ) button on the button pad. -
Page 9: The Basics Of Colorflex Ez Coffee Operation
Across the top of each measurement screen are numbers indicating (left to right) the Datalog number for this reading if it was saved to the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s memory, and the number of hours and minutes since the instrument was last standardized. -
Page 10: About Your Instrument
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 When RETURN is shown as an available button command on the main menu screen, choose Return to go back to the last screen used before the instrument shut down. Figure 4. Main Menu When OFF is shown as an available button command on the main menu screen, choose OFF to immediately turn the instrument off. -
Page 11: Standardization Process
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Figure 6. Time Since Last Standardization It is recommended that the ColorFlex EZ Coffee be standardized every four to eight hours. The instrument will automatically prompt for standardization after the Standardization Interval set in Global Options has elapsed, so it is a good idea to enter 4 to 8 hours as the Standardization Interval. - Page 12 Replace the BLACK GLASS with the calibrated WHITE TILE from the standards box. Press the button GO. The ColorFlex EZ Coffee reads the White Tile and sets the top- of-scale. When it is finished, the screen indicates that the instrument has been successfully standardized.
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Page 13: Reading Individual Samples
Reading Individual Samples Complete the following steps to take individual readings using the ColorFlex EZ Coffee: Note: These instructions apply when Average in the product setup is set to OFF. - Page 14 User options are shown on the keypad map at the bottom of the screen. Press SAVE/PRINT (down arrow) to both save the reading (if AutoSave is not enabled) in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s memory and print the reading if a USB printer is connected.
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Page 15: Using The Coffee Tile
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Press READ to take another reading using this product setup. Press UP to move to the next data view for this product setup. Press RIGHT ARROW to return to the main menu. Using the Coffee Tile The purpose of the Coffee Tile is to make sure that the instrument is correctly reading color values for coffee. -
Page 16: Defining Standard, Sample And Tolerances
Coffee or a set of color values that is entered into the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s memory. Sample A sample is an object that will be measured with the ColorFlex EZ Coffee and compared to the product standard. The color of the sample is generally similar to the color of the product standard. -
Page 17: Configuring Setups
(if applicable), and the acceptable tolerances applied to the standard values (if applicable). Each product setup is saved in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee memory with a setup number and name. -
Page 18: Scaa
HCCI The HunterLab Coffee Color Index measures the spectral reflectance of ground coffee at 640nm, the optimal setting for defining the degree of a roast. To optimize your roasting process, HCCI is best measured during roasting, allowing you to end the process when the coffee reaches its desired color and ensuring batch-to-batch consistency. -
Page 19: Modifying The Hcci Parameters
HCCI = (1.958*R640nm) – 3.32 At the factory, the coefficient values for the HunterLab Coffee Color Index have been entered. It would not be a typical practice but it is possible to modify the slope and intercept for the HCCI calculations to improve inter-instrument agreement if needed, or implement a customer roast scale. - Page 20 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 From the PRODUCT SETUP menu, choose HCCI. Figure 22. Select HCCI Select the Coffee Index coefficient to change and press the NEXT arrow to continue. Figure 23. Enter HCCI Parameters When all coefficients have been edited, press GO to return to the MAIN MENU.
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Page 21: Custom Setups
For other applications, the setups may be modified. Up to 250 product setups may be stored in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee memory. Product Setup screen appears. On this screen, choose to select the product setup from a list (YES) or configure the last setup used (NO). -
Page 22: Standard
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Standard Four types of standards are available for selection depending on the measurements and data needed. Press the RIGHT ARROW button to move through the list of available standard types. Choose WORKING when a number of different samples are measured against a standard in a single session. -
Page 23: Averaging
20. Figure 31. Average Views The settings made under VIEWS indicate what will be shown on the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s LCD screen after a measurement is made. Press the RIGHT ARROW button to obtain the VIEWS screen. -
Page 24: View
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Use the UP and DOWN ARROW buttons to highlight the desired view number. Then press the RIGHT ARROW button to obtain the Data View screen for that view. Figure 33. Data Views The parameters that may be set are as follows:... - Page 25 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 DISPLAY Use the DOWN ARROW button to move to the DISPLAY parameter, then scroll through the choices using the right arrow button. The display choices are as follows: ABSOLUTE Absolute displays the color scale values (such as L*, a*, and b*) for the most recent standard or sample read.
- Page 26 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 SPECTRAL DIFFERENCE Spectral Difference displays the raw reflectance difference between the standard and the most recent sample for each wavelength. Figure 39. Spectral Difference SPECTRAL PLOT Spectral Plot graphs the raw reflectance values for each wavelength for the most recent standard or sample.
- Page 27 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 COLOR PLOT Color Plot displays the sample’s location in color space relative to the centered standard. Figure 42. Color Plot ILL/OBS Choose the illuminant/ observer combination under which color values will be calculated. Use the down arrow button to move down to the Ill/Obs parameter, then scroll through the choices using the right arrow button.
- Page 28 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 RIGHT ARROW button. Some indices may not display until both a standard and a sample are read. Figure 44. Color Index CMC/SHADE SORT The CMC/Shade Sort parameter applies only if the color index chosen is dEc or SSN.
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Page 29: Standard Values
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Table 2. Summary of Measurement Values on ColorFlex EZ Coffee Illuminant/Observer Scales Differences Indices A/2, A/10 CIE Lab dL*a*b* C/2, C/10 CIE LCh dL*C*h YI D1925 D50/2, D50/10 Hunter Lab dLab YI E313 (YIE) - Page 30 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Figure 47. Standard Values For a PHYSICAL standard, place the standard at the sample port and press the GO button (Read) to read the standard and place its measurement values (in the selected color scale) in the product setup.
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Page 31: Tolerances
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 As a PQ Performance Qualification step, measure the physical hitch standard as a sample and verify that the read values closely match the reference values. Tolerances When Tolerances is highlighted, press the RIGHT ARROW button to move to the Tolerances configuration screen. -
Page 32: Setup Maintenance
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Setup Maintenance Setup Maintenance is selected from the main menu by moving the cursor highlight to its position using the UP and DOWN ARROW buttons and then pressing the GO button. Figure 52. Setup Maintenance The available commands are described below. -
Page 33: Print One Setup
Figure 56. Printout Clone All Setups CLONE ALL SETUPS appears in the Setup Maintenance menu only when two ColorFlex EZ Coffee instruments are connected together via the standard ColorFlex EZ Coffee USB cable and a Standard-A to Mini-A adapter. When CLONE ALL SETUPS is chosen on one of the ColorFlex EZ Coffee units, the full set of 100 product setups are sent from the initiating instrument to the second connected instrument. - Page 34 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0...
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Page 35: Global Options
The Global Options that may be configured are as follows: Language ColorFlex EZ Coffee can display screens and prompts in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Simple Chinese. To scroll through the languages, highlight the LANGUAGE and select the RIGHT ARROW to change. -
Page 36: Roast Names
In this submenu, the following parameters can be set: Screen angle Rotate the text on the ColorFlex EZ Coffee screen so that it may be easily read from either side of the instrument. 0° keeps the text in its normal position and 180° flips the text upside down. -
Page 37: Backlight
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Figure 62. Screen Angle Backlight Press the RIGHT ARROW button to increase the brightness of the LCD’s backlight or the left arrow button to decrease the brightness. Values between 0 and 100 may be selected in increments of 5. -
Page 38: Display Off
The ColorFlex EZ Coffee will turn off entirely (display and processor) once 5 minutes has elapsed since the last button press. Press any button to re-activate. Press BACK (the lightning bolt) to return to the GLOBAL OPTIONS screen. -
Page 39: Stdz Interval
Figure 68. Standardization Interval AutoSearch One of the features of the ColorFlex EZ Coffee is that it can find the closest physical, numeric, or hitch standard stored in the instrument’s memory to a sample read. When AUTOSEARCH is highlighted and the RIGHT ARROW button is pressed, a submenu appears. -
Page 40: Date/Time
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 ARROW button to decrease the number. Values between 2 and 20 may be selected in increments of 1. To deselect the average measurements used in AutoSearch, set this parameter to OFF. Figure 70. Average Press BACK (the Go button) to return to the GLOBAL OPTIONS screen. -
Page 41: Reading, Storing And Printing Data
Reading, Storing and Printing Data Reading with Datalog The ColorFlex EZ Coffee can manually or automatically save measurements to the Datalog on a USB flash drive in CSV (.csv) or ASCII (.dtg) format. The precision is 3 decimal places for colorimetric data, 5 for chromaticity values and 4 for spectral data. - Page 42 After all readings in the averaging sequence have been made press SAVE/PRINT (down arrow) to both save the reading in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s memory and print the reading (if a USB printer is connected).
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Page 43: Working With Saved Readings
Working with Saved Readings Readings stored in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s memory during the read process may be viewed, printed, and deleted later, if desired. Figure 78. Select Saved Readings... -
Page 44: Print All Readings
View Saved Readings VIEW SAVED READINGS allows the user to view and scroll through the readings saved in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s memory. The first reading stored in memory (which was assigned an ID of 0001 by default) will be shown first. -
Page 45: Filter By Setup
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Filter By Setup Filter By Setup views the readings by choosing the product setup. The SAVED READINGS screen is shown first. Scroll through the setups using the UP and DOWN ARROW buttons until the selected setup is highlighted, then press GO (center button). - Page 46 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0...
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Page 47: Sample Preparation And Presentation
When taking readings, make sure that the sample surface is flat against the ColorFlex EZ Coffee sample port. This may be difficult if the sample is curved or irregularly shaped. Look at the instrument from all angles to make sure the port makes as much contact as possible with the product. -
Page 48: Directional Samples
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 not pillow into the sample port. Average several readings when measuring samples that are textured, patterned, or irregular in color. Examples of ways to measure several types of samples are given below. Directional Samples Directionality can be minimized by averaging several measurements with rotation of the sample between readings. -
Page 49: Maintaining And Testing Colorflex Ez Coffee
Cleaning the ColorFlex EZ Coffee Clean the outside surfaces of the ColorFlex EZ Coffee using a soft cloth. Do not spray liquids directly on the instrument. Maintaining the Instrument Standards Before standardizing, inspect the calibrated White Tile and Black Glass for dust and fingerprints. -
Page 50: White Repeatability
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Choose the desired function by scrolling using the UP and DOWN ARROW buttons until the desired test is highlighted and then pressing the right arrow button. Note: When running all Diagnostic Tests the standard port plate must be installed. -
Page 51: Green Tile Check
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Green Tile Check The first Green Tile Check screen allows you to compare the values in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee’s memory to the values read at factory on the back of the diagnostic Green Tile. If the values match, press the GO button to continue. -
Page 52: Signal Levels
The Signal Levels diagnostic prompts to place a sample at the measurement port. Normally this will be the White Tile, but other instructions may be provided by HunterLab’s Service Support staff. Place the White Tile at the port and press GO. - Page 53 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Press DIAGS MENU to return to the DIAGNOSTICS MENU. Press MAIN MENU to return to the MAIN MENU.
- Page 54 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0...
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Page 55: Specifications
The operating conditions (temperature and humidity ranges) are given in the Operating Conditions section below. Operating Conditions Do not leave ColorFlex EZ Coffee in an area where temperature or humidity extremes are possible. Storage Temperature -20°C to 65°C (-5°F to 150°F) -
Page 56: Conditions Of Illumination And Viewing
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Conditions of Illumination and Viewing Light Source Pulsed xenon Lamp Life >1 million flashes Geometry 45° Illumination/ 0° Viewing 256-element diode array and high- Spectrophotometer resolution concave holographic grating 31.8 mm (1.25 in) illuminated/ Port Diameter/View Diameter 25.4 mm (1 in) measured... -
Page 57: Measurement
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Measurement Data Views Color Data, Color Difference Data, Tristimulus Color Plot, Spectral Data, Spectral Difference Plot, Spectral Plot, Spectral Difference Plot Illuminants A, C, D50, D65, D75, F2, F7, F11 Observers 2° and 10°... -
Page 58: Regulatory Notice
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Regulatory Notice... -
Page 59: Options And Sample Devices
There are many options and devices available for positioning samples at the measurement port of the ColorFlex EZ Coffee and for making the instrument easier to use. Any of the following options and sample devices may be purchased for use with the ColorFlex EZ Coffee. HunterLab part numbers are provided for convenience in ordering. -
Page 60: External Printer
The communications cable supplied with the printer must be used to connect the printer to the ColorFlex EZ Coffee. More information on the external printer is provided in its separate Printer Manual. -
Page 61: Easymatch Qc Software With Coffee Option (Ezmqc-Cflx)
Measurements may be made and stored in the ColorFlex EZ Coffee memory and then uploaded into the software or the ColorFlex EZ Coffee may be directly controlled by the software. Instructions for EasyMatch QC are provided in its separate User’s Manual. -
Page 62: 420 Nm Uv Port Insert
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 portion toward the interior of the sensor. Then standardize the instrument with the glass in place. Check the measurements of the Green and White Tiles before performing any other diagnostics without the glass cover. Difference measurements using a glass cover will be more accurate than absolute measurements. -
Page 63: Sample Cup Opaque Cover
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Figure 100. Glass Sample Cup Sample Cup Opaque Cover The opaque cover provides a light trap to exclude the interference of external light on a sample contained in the 64 mm (2.5-in) sample cup. It is placed over the filled cup at the sample port as shown below. - Page 64 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0...
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Page 65: Instrument Replacement, Repair, Problems, And Questions
HunterLab Customer Experience team. Often remote troubleshooting can resolve most issues. If repair is required, your instrument will need to be returned to HunterLab for service by a trained technician. -
Page 66: Warranty
The HunterLab warranty does not cover consumable items such as lamps, fuses, batteries, etc. An instrument registration card is available online at https://www.hunterlab.com/ras-registration.html. It is important that the instrument owner fills this out on receipt of equipment. -
Page 67: Shortage
▪ Notify HunterLab immediately of the shortage in writing. Incorrect Shipment Perform the following procedure if material received does not correspond with your order. ▪ Notify HunterLab immediately, referencing your order number and item. ▪ Hold incorrect items until return shipping instructions are received. - Page 68 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0...
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Page 69: Index
ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 INDEX About Your Instrument ......10 Green Check Tile ......... 7 Absolute display ........25 Green Tile Check ........51 AC adapter ..........8 Hitch standard ........... 23 Accessories ..........7 Ill/Obs ............27 Autosave ........... - Page 70 ColorFlex EZ Coffee User’s Manual Version 2.0 Sample Presentation ......... 47 Standard Values ........29 Saved Readings ......... 43 Standardizing ..........10 Saved Readings Menu ......... 9 Standards ..........49 Screen angle ..........36 Standards care card ........8 Selecting Samples ........47 Stdz Interval ..........
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