HunterLab ColorFlex EZ User Manual
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HunterLab ColorFlex EZ User Manual

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User's Manual for
ColorFlex
EZ
®
Hunter Associates Laboratory
11491 Sunset Hills Road
Reston, Virginia 20190
USA
www.hunterlab.com
A60-1014-593, Version 2.2
For CFEZ firmware version 1.07 and above

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Summary of Contents for HunterLab ColorFlex EZ

  • Page 1 User’s Manual for ColorFlex ® Hunter Associates Laboratory 11491 Sunset Hills Road Reston, Virginia 20190 www.hunterlab.com A60-1014-593, Version 2.2 For CFEZ firmware version 1.07 and above...
  • Page 2 Sparkleen is a registered trademark of Fisher Scientific. Safety Notes For safety when using the ColorFlex EZ, pay particular 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 be observed at all times while operating the instrument.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Contents INTRODUCTION TO THE COLORFLEX EZ SYSTEM ..............7 Accessories..........................7 Installation ..........................8 THE BASICS OF COLORFLEX EZ OPERATION ................9 The Button Pad and LCD Display ..................... 9 Menus and Prompts ........................ 9 About the Instrument ......................
  • Page 4 Directional Samples ....................48 • Non-opaque Samples ....................48 • Translucent Samples ....................48 MAINTAINING AND TESTING COLORFLEX EZ ................ 49 Cleaning the ColorFlex EZ ...................... 49 Maintaining the Instrument Standards ................. 49 Replacing the Lamp ....................... 49 Diagnostics ..........................50 •...
  • Page 5 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 • Glass Port Insert ......................62 • 420 nm UV Port Insert ....................62 • Sample Cup Set for Translucent Liquids ..............63 • Sample Cup Port Plate ....................63 • 64 mm (2.5 in) Glass Sample Cup ................63 •...
  • Page 6 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2...

  • Page 7: Introduction To The Colorflex Ez System

    ColorFlex EZ is available with a large viewing area and a 45°/0° geometry. The label on the bottom of the instrument provides this information and a unique serial number, which is outlined below.

  • Page 8: Installation

    ColorFlex EZ. Let it do so until the FOUND NEW HARDWARE message disappears. Other devices, such as the printer, bar code reader, and keyboard, are automatically detected by the ColorFlex EZ. 7. Turn the ColorFlex EZ on by pressing the GO (lightning bolt ) button on the button pad.

  • Page 9: The Basics Of Colorflex Ez Operation

    320 x 240 pixel on color liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. When an item is to be measured using the ColorFlex EZ, the area of interest should be placed flush at the sample port with the side of the sample to be measured toward the instrument.

  • Page 10: About The Instrument

    Figure 4. About Your Instrument More details on ColorFlex EZ operation are given in Chapters 2 through 4. Taking a Simple Measurement This chapter describes the various steps performed in the course of normal instrument operations, such as standardizing, reading, storing and printing data.

  • Page 11: Standardization Process

    Global Options has elapsed, so it is a good idea to enter 4 to 8 hours as the Standardization Interval. Also standardize the ColorFlex EZ any time there is a significant change (greater than 5°F) in ambient temperature. For example, if the ColorFlex EZ is moved an air-conditioned office to an outdoor site that is 90°F, standardization should be repeated once the instrument has had a...
  • Page 12 Replace the Black Glass with the calibrated White Tile, which is contained in the standards box. Figure 9. White Tile Reading Press the button GO. The ColorFlex EZ reads the White Tile and sets the top of scale. When it is finished, the screen indicates that the instrument has been successfully standardized.

  • Page 13: Reading Individual Samples

    Note: These instructions apply when Average in the product setup is set to OFF. Select READ from the ColorFlex EZ’s main menu. Move the cursor to highlight its position using the UP and DOWN arrow buttons and then press the GO button.
  • Page 14 SAVE/PRINT (down arrow) to both save the reading (if AutoSave is not enabled) in the ColorFlex EZ’s memory and print the reading if a USB printer is connected. The saved readings counter in the upper left corner of the screen will be incremented to reflect the newly saved reading.

  • Page 15: Defining Standard, Sample And Tolerances

    The product standard may either be a physical item that is measured using the ColorFlex EZ or a set of color values that is entered into the ColorFlex EZ’s memory.
  • Page 16 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2...

  • Page 17: Configuring Options And Setups

    A product setup is a set of operating parameters that describe the operation of the ColorFlex EZ for a specific product. Up to 250 setups may be stored in the instrument’s memory.
  • Page 18 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Figure 17. Product Setup Selection Figure 18. Product Setup Confirmation If YES is chosen, the Select setup to configure screen is shown. Move the cursor highlight to the desired setup by using the up and down arrow buttons or by scrolling through the pages using the right arrow button (Page).

  • Page 19: Setup Name

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2  Setup Name Press the RIGHT arrow button to obtain the Product Name screen and enter any descriptive name for the product setup. Up to 15 characters may be entered using all the letters and numbers, as well as the space character.
  • Page 20 A standard is measured on a reference instrument and the color values noted. This Hitch standard is then read on a second instrument such as the ColorFlex EZ and the target values from the reference instrument are entered manually. The ColorFlex EZ then mathematically adjusts to match the reference instrument.

  • Page 21: Averaging

    20. Figure 24. Average  Views The settings made under Views indicate what will be shown on the ColorFlex EZ’s LCD screen after a measurement is made. Press the RIGHT arrow button to obtain the VIEWS screen. Figure 25. Views Up to eight different views may be displayed for the ColorFlex EZ.
  • Page 22 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 The parameters that may be set are as follows: • View Use the UP and DOWN arrow buttons to move to the VIEW parameter, then toggle between ENABLED (view on) and DISABLED (view off) using the RIGHT arrow button.
  • Page 23 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 ▪ Spectral Data Spectral Data displays the raw reflectance values for each wavelength read by the instrument for the most recent standard or sample. Figure 29. Spectral Data ▪ Spectral Difference Spectral Difference displays the raw reflectance difference between the standard and the most recent sample for each wavelength.
  • Page 24 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Figure 32. Plot of Spectral Difference ▪ Color Plot Color Plot displays the sample’s location in color space relative to the centered standard. Figure 33. Color Plot • Ill/Obs Choose the illuminant/ observer combination under which color values will be calculated.
  • Page 25 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 • Color Index Choose the color index to be used. Use the DOWN arrow button to move down to the Color Index parameter. Then scroll through the choices using the right arrow button. Some indices may not display until both a standard and a sample are read.
  • Page 26 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Table 1. Summary of Measurement Values on ColorFlex EZ 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) D55/2, D55/10...

  • Page 27: Standard Values

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2  Standard Values The Standard Values parameter is only relevant when the Standard Type is physical, numeric, or hitch. When Standard Values is highlighted, press the RIGHT arrow button to move to the STANDARD VALUES configuration screen.

  • Page 28: Tolerances

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Then, change the highlighted digit of the selected color scale value to match the corresponding digit of the known values from the reference instrument using the UP and DOWN arrow buttons. When the desired digit is shown, press NEXT to move to the next digit.
  • Page 29 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Figure 42. AutoSearch Select NO to exclude this product setup in automatic standard searching. Press the LEFT arrow button (Back) to accept the parameters just set and select another Product Setup to configure or the GO button (Main Menu) to accept the parameters just set and return to the MAIN...
  • Page 30 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2...

  • Page 31: Global Options

    MAIN MENU. The global options that may be configured are as follows: Language ColorFlex EZ can display screens and prompts in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Simple Chinese. Display Settings When Display Settings is highlighted and the RIGHT arrow button is pressed, a submenu appears.

  • Page 32: Screen Angle

    • Screen angle Rotate the text on the ColorFlex EZ 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. Please note that the functions of the buttons also rotate when the screen text rotates (i.e., what was previously the up arrow will become the down...

  • Page 33: Display Off

    The ColorFlex EZ 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 34: Stdz Interval

    Figure 50. Standardization Interval AutoSearch One of the features of the ColorFlex EZ 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 35: Average

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Each press of the RIGHT arrow button changes the color difference index to the next one available. • Average To select this feature, choose the number of readings to average for each sample before the AutoSearch comparison to available standards is made. This applies to all setups selected for AutoSearch.
  • Page 36 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Figure 54. Date & Time Screen...

  • Page 37: Setup Maintenance

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 CHAPTER FIVE 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. The SETUP MAINTENANCE menu appears. Select the desired command from the menu by moving the cursor highlight to its position using the UP and DOWN arrow buttons and then pressing the RIGHT arrow button.

  • Page 38: Print One Setup

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Figure 57. Print All Setups Note: To output setup parameters to a computer, open a receiving device. • Print One Setup PRINT ONE SETUP first gives a screen to select the product setup to print. Select the desired setup from the list by moving the cursor highlight to its position using the UP and DOWN arrow buttons and then pressing the GO (Print) button.

  • Page 39: Clone All Setups

    CLONE ALL SETUPS appears in the Setup Maintenance menu only when two ColorFlex EZs are connected via the standard ColorFlex EZ USB cable and a Standard- A to Mini-A adapter. When CLONE ALL SETUPS is chosen on one of the ColorFlex EZs, the full set of 100 product setups are sent from the initiating instrument to the second connected instrument.
  • Page 40 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2...

  • Page 41: Reading, Storing And Printing Data

    Reading, Storing and Printing Data Reading with Datalog The ColorFlex EZ 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 Press GO to make the next reading in the averaging sequence. (Rotate or reposition the sample before doing so.) After all readings in the averaging sequence have been made press SAVE/PRINT (down arrow) to both save the reading in the ColorFlex EZ’s memory and print the reading (if a USB printer is connected).

  • Page 43: Working With Saved Readings

    Working with Saved Readings Readings stored in the ColorFlex EZ’s memory during the read process may be viewed, printed, and deleted later, if desired. Figure 65. 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’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 User’s Manual Version 2.2 Figure 69. Print Saved Reading Press NEXT (right arrow) to move forward to the next saved reading or PREV (left arrow) to move back to the previous saved reading. Press BACK (up arrow) to return to the Saved Readings menu or MAIN MENU (center button) to return to the main menu.
  • Page 46 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2...

  • Page 47: Sample Preparation And Presentation

    When taking readings, make sure that the sample surface is flat against the ColorFlex EZ 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 User’s Manual Version 2.2 the product to ensure proper contact with the sample port and to ensure that it does not pillow into the sample port. Average several readings when measuring samples that are textured, patterned, or irregular in color.

  • Page 49: Maintaining And Testing Colorflex Ez

    This chapter describes the maintenance necessary to keep the instrument functioning properly and provides tests to assess performance. Cleaning the ColorFlex EZ Clean the outside surfaces of the ColorFlex EZ 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: Diagnostics

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Diagnostics The Diagnostics Tests can be run to verify instrument performance. Diagnostics 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 center GO button. The Diagnostics menu appears.

  • Page 51: Green Tile Check

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Figure 73. White Repeatability Test Results Press PRINT to print the result (if a printer is connected to the instrument’s USB port). An example printout is shown. Figure 74. Printout of Repeatability Test Press DIAGS MENU to return to the Diagnostics menu to run further tests. Press MAIN MENU to return to the main menu.

  • Page 52: Signal Levels

    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. The sample and monitor channels are plotted on a graph for examination by HunterLab’s Service Support staff.
  • Page 53 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 The value of the checksum of the calibration data should remain constant unless the White Tile’s assigned reflectance is updated or the instrument is serviced. A record of the checksum’s value should be kept. If it changes for unexplained reasons then the instrument may not function correctly.
  • Page 54 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2...

  • 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 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 User’s Manual Version 2.2 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 31.8mm (1.25-in) illuminated/ Port Diameter/View Diameter 25.4mm (1-in) measured...

  • Page 57: Measurement

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 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 User’s Manual Version 2.2 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 and for making the instrument easier to use. Any or all of the following options and sample devices may be purchased for use with the ColorFlex EZ. HunterLab part numbers are provided for convenience in ordering.

  • Page 60: Keyboard

    The up, down, left, and right arrow keys on the keyboard correspond to the same buttons on the ColorFlex EZ button pad. The Enter key on the keyboard emulates the center Go button on the ColorFlex EZ’s button pad. Numbers and letters may be typed on the keyboard as usual.

  • Page 61: Sample Clamp & Port-Forward Stand

    To attach the stand to the ColorFlex EZ, lay the instrument on its side and install the two screws through the stand into the bottom of the instrument using the Allen wrench provided. To use the the sample clamp, pull the spring-loaded clamp away from the sample port, insert the sample, and gently release the clamp.

  • Page 62: Port Inserts

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 • Port Inserts Port inserts with various-sized openings may be purchased and placed at the reflectance port to change the area of view. Remove the standard port insert by pulling it out of the port insert retainer. Replace it with the special port insert. Make sure that the flat portion of the insert is facing outward with the beveled portion toward the interior of the sensor.

  • Page 63: Sample Cup Set For Translucent Liquids

    ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 insert is facing outward with the beveled portion toward the interior of the sensor. Then standardize the instrument with the UV filter in place. • Sample Cup Set for Translucent Liquids This set provides a device for holding powders, pellets, granules, and translucent liquids at the sample port.

  • Page 64: Sample Cup Opaque Cover

    ColorFlex EZ, stores sample measurements, and provides graphical representations of data. Measurements may be made and stored in the ColorFlex EZ memory and then uploaded into the software, or the ColorFlex EZ may be directly controlled by the software. Instructions for EasyMatch...

  • Page 65: When You Need Assistance

    Additionally, our global support website offers 24/7 assistance with a library of information on various color measurement and appearance topics such as applications, instrument operation, and troubleshooting. The HunterLab global support website is located at support.hunterlab.com. For personalized assistance, go to support.hunterlab.com...
  • Page 66 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2...

  • Page 67: Index

    Index ............25 Bar Code Reader ........43 Installation ..........8 Bar Code Scanner ........60 Instrument Performance ......56 Basics of ColorFlex EZ Operation ....9 Keyboard ........... 60 Black Glass ........... 7 Lamp ............49 Button Pad ..........9 Language ...........
  • Page 68 ColorFlex EZ User’s Manual Version 2.2 Reset All Setups ......... 37 Specifications ..........55 Ring and Disk Set ........64 Spectral Data display ......... 23 Sample ............15 Spectral Difference Display ....... 23 Sample Clamp/Port-Forward Stand ..61 Spectral Plot Display ......... 23 Sample Cup Opaque Cover .......

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