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HunterLab Agera Supplemental Manual

Easymatch qc colorimetric spectrophotometer
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Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch
Agera
Hunter Associates Laboratory
11491 Sunset Hills Road
Reston, Virginia 20190 USA
www.hunterlab.com
A60-1019-083
Manual Version 2.6
For EasyMatch QC 4.99 and Above
®
QC
®

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  • Page 1 Agera ® Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch ® Hunter Associates Laboratory 11491 Sunset Hills Road Reston, Virginia 20190 USA www.hunterlab.com A60-1019-083 Manual Version 2.6 For EasyMatch QC 4.99 and Above...

  • Page 2: Preface

    The frequency of this flashing light is in the range of sensitivity for those prone to epileptic seizures. For your safety when using the Agera, you should pay attention to the following types of statements in this User’s Manual: ▪...
  • Page 3 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness of the data due to inherent uncertainties in instrumental readings, variations in sample presentation, and potential inconsistencies in human color perception. It is strongly advised that each user verify the instrumental data with meticulous visual evaluation.

  • Page 4: Legal Disclaimers: Instrumental - Visual Evaluation

    The HunterLab Agera Colorimetric Spectrophotometer is designed for precision color and appearance measurement. It measures numerical color and related data in absolute and relative terms. HunterLab cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness of the data due to inherent uncertainties in instrumental readings, variations in sample presentation, and potential inconsistencies in human color perception.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Sensor > Install and Setup ......................18 Sensor > Standardize ........................20 TAKE SAMPLE OR STANDARD MEASUREMENT ............23 Using Agera and EasyMatch QC to Take Measurements ............... 23 Agera Multiple Read Modes ......................24 Gloss Measurements ........................30 Visual Inspection .......................... 31...
  • Page 6 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 AGERA MAINTENANCE AND TESTING ................. 33 Routine Maintenance ........................33 System Warm-Up ......................... 33 Cleaning the Instrument Standards ....................33 Cleaning the White Tile ........................33 Cleaning the Black Glass and Green Tile .................... 34 Diagnostics on the Agera ......................
  • Page 7 WHEN YOU NEED ASSISTANCE ..................53 APPENDIX A ........................ 55 Connecting Agera to EasyMatch® QC .................... 55 Connect Agera and PC with EasyMatch QC to the same network............. 55 Connect Agera and PC with an Ethernet cable directly..............57 INDEX ......................... 59...
  • Page 8 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 9: Setting Up The Agera

    Illuminant/observer combinations desired for industrial applications. With Ethernet, wireless and USB connectivity, data results can be saved, emailed directly from the Agera instrument, printed to local or networked printers, and streamed to LIMS and SPC systems.

  • Page 10: Samples

    For more information, please refer to SPECIFICATIONS. Cleaning the Agera Clean the outside surfaces of the Agera using a soft cloth. Do not spray liquids directly on the instrument. . Care should be taken to avoid degradation of optical surfaces. Refer to MAINTENANCE...

  • Page 11: Getting Started

    Getting Started Unpack your Box Place the Agera on the bench. Remove wrappings and cable ties. Inspect for damage and notify the carrier and HunterLab immediately if any is discovered. Retain the packaging in case of needing to return the instrument return to HunterLab.

  • Page 12: Ethernet Port

    For more information see Appendix A. Agera Installation The Agera is simple to set up and attach to your computer. The following instructions guide you through the initial installation of your Agera system. 1. Ensure that the on/off switch on the back of the sensor is set to off.

  • Page 13: Power Switch

    Front and Rear USB Connectors • There are two USB connectors on the Agera. Both can be used for exporting jobs and workspaces, backing up the instrument data and updating software. If the user wants to connect multiple devices at the same time, a USB hub can be plugged in to the front of the instrument.
  • Page 14 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 15: Agera Installation

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Agera Installation Install EasyMatch® QC Software Complete the following steps: 1. Log into the system using an account that has ADMINISTRATOR privileges for the PC — network or local. 2. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive. If the system is setup to automatically run CD programs, the menu will appear and you may skip to Step 5.

  • Page 16: Activate The Softkey License

    Figure 7. No License Warning 3. The SoftKey License is uniquely associated with the sensor serial number and is provided on a thumb drive supplied with EasyMatch QC or via email from HunterLab. 4. Go to HELP > LICENSE REGISTRATION > ACTIVATION.
  • Page 17 Option #3: Sentinel Key a. If the user has a HunterLab USB hardware key, then it can be used with a new sensor on the same computer. Return to Install the Software, Step 5 (Figure 5) and select the Sentinel Key to continue.

  • Page 18: Connect The Agera To A Computer

    2. From the SENSOR MENU, select ADD SENSOR. Figure 10. Add Agera Sensor Select Agera as the Sensor Type and use the Ethernet (selected as default) to connect Agera to the network and EasyMatch QC. Click NEXT to search available Agera.
  • Page 19 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 11. Setup Sensor in EasyMatch QC 4. Edit the SETUP MODE for your instrument, a. Edit the MODE NAME in the first dialog box. b. The area view information is updated based on the current port plate attached. To change to another PORT PLATE/AREA VIEW, place the new port plate on the instrument and click the UPDATE button.

  • Page 20: Sensor > Standardize

    Sensor > Standardize The Agera must be standardized on a regular basis to keep it operating properly. Standardization sets the top and bottom of the photometric scale. During standardization, the bottom of the scale is set using a black tile read on the Agera.
  • Page 21 Standardization is updated and reported as STANDARDIZED in the bottom status bar along with UV Mode and Port Plate Size. Note: Agera supports multiple UV modes allowing for switching among different valid UV modes after standardization. Note: It is highly recommended that a Green Tile test be performed after standardization. Do not proceed without successfully passing the Green Tile Test.
  • Page 22 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 23: Take Sample Or Standard Measurement

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Take Sample or Standard Measurement Using Agera and EasyMatch QC to Take Measurements 1. Select a mode under SENSOR > SET MODES and APPLY. 2. Click SAMPLE/STANDARD measurement. Make sure that the right port plate is attached for the current mode.

  • Page 24: Agera Multiple Read Modes

    Agera Multiple Read Modes EasyMatch QC supports multiple read mode for the Agera sensor. Multiple modes can be configured if using the same area of view. A sample can be read by all modes at once by pressing the READ button. For example, users can measure the contribution of optical brighteners on a paper sample using Multi-Read Modes: 1’’Area View -...
  • Page 25 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 19.. Setup Another Mode Figure 20. Completed Set Modes If UV calibrated mode is added, continue to calibrate under SENSOR > UV CALIBRATION for this mode. Here are the steps to do UV calibration: a.
  • Page 26 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 22. Press UV Calibrate c. When prompted, select the INDEX to be measured and enter the TARGET VALUE for the fluorescence standard. Press CALIBRATE UV to continue. Next, the user will be prompted to standardize and then read the fluorescent standard Figure 23.
  • Page 27 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 24. Black Glass Standardization Figure 25. White Tile Standardization Figure 26. Fluorescent Tile Standardization...
  • Page 28 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 d. If the measured WI is about +/- 0.5 different from the target, the UV calibration is done. If the WI difference is out of +/- 0.5 range after three cycles (3 standardizations), then UV calibration has failed.
  • Page 29 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 3. When all desired modes have been selected, press OK to continue. The user can select one, two or three modes as needed Figure 30. Selected Modes 4. Go to OPTIONS > READ METHOD and select MULTIPLE READ MODE. Press OK to continue Figure 31.

  • Page 30: Gloss Measurements

    Figure 33. Color Data Table showing UV Contribution Gloss Measurements Agera includes a built-in 60-degree gloss meter with a single LED illumination (filtered to C/2)/detector pair in conformance with ASTM D523 and located right below the sample port plate. Gloss is measured for each sample and standard measurement.

  • Page 31: Visual Inspection

    Some optional port plates such as those with protective, or UV blocking glass or the sample cup port plate will cause the geometric measurement conditions for gloss to change. When the Agera determines that one of these optional ports is installed, the gloss measurement is disabled.
  • Page 32 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 33: Agera Maintenance And Testing

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Agera Maintenance and Testing The Agera is engineered to be maintenance free. This section outlines the few parts of the sensor that are to be maintained for the instrument to function properly.

  • Page 34: Cleaning The Black Glass And Green Tile

    Significant scratches that result in a hazy appearance to the finish may cause standardization to be in error. If the black tile is scratched, call the HunterLab Order Processing Department, or contact your local HunterLab representative to order a replacement.

  • Page 35: Diagnostics On The Agera

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Diagnostics on the Agera Diagnostics are included with the Agera EasyMatch QC. To initiate, select DIAGNOSTICS from the SENSOR MENU. THE GREEN TILE TEST, REPEATABILITY TEST and GLOSS are the available tests.
  • Page 36 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 36. Read Top-of-Scale Place the green tile at the port and press NEXT to continue. The test begins and the results are displayed when complete. Figure 37. Screen Display for Test Results...

  • Page 37: Repeatability Test

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 38. Green Tile Test Results Repeatability Test The repeatability test is initiated by standardizing and leaving the white tile in view. Each white tile reading is reported along with a pass/fail evaluation.
  • Page 38 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 39. Read Bottom-of-Scale Figure 40. Read Top-of-Scale The test will begin automatically, and each reading will be shown. Figure 41. Repeatability Readings When the test is complete, results are shown and output as a report.
  • Page 39 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 42. Repeatability Screen Results Figure 43. Repeatability Test Report...

  • Page 40: Gloss Test

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Gloss Test Select GLOSS TEST from the DIAGNOSTICS MENU. Figure 44. Select Gloss Test Enter the GLOSS VALUES on the back of the tile Figure 45. Enter Target Value Place the black glass standard at the port and press OK to continue. If the LAV 1”) port plate is not...
  • Page 41 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Figure 46. Display of Gloss Test Results Figure 47. Gloss Test Report...
  • Page 42 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 43: Agera Specifications

    The operating conditions (temperature and humidity ranges) are given in the Operating Conditions section below. Note: Do not leave Agera in an area where temperature or humidity extremes are possible. Operating Conditions Storage Temperature (3weeks) -20°C to 65°C (-5°F to 150°F)

  • Page 44: Conditions Of Illumination And Viewing

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Conditions of Illumination and Viewing Light Source Full spectrum balanced LED system array; 5 year typical LED life 256 element diode array and high resolution, concave Dual Beam holographic grating Spectrophotometer Sealed optics, Geometry 0/45...

  • Page 45: Standard Accessories

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Gloss (ASTM D423, ASTM D2457, ISO 2813, ISO 7668, JIS 28741), E313 Yellowness, E313 Whiteness, YI D1925, Y Brightness, Z%, Indices and Metrics 457nm Brightness, Baking Contrast Units, Tint, HCCI, SCAA/G, SCAA/C, Custom Indice, ASTM E1349...

  • Page 46: Regulatory Notice

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Regulatory Notice...

  • Page 47: Agera Maintenance & Safety

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Agera Maintenance & Safety The Agera is engineered to be maintenance free. This section outlines the few parts of the sensor that are to be maintained for the instrument to function properly.
  • Page 48 Significant scratches that result in a hazy appearance to the finish may cause standardization to be in error. If the black tile is scratched, call the HunterLab Order Processing Department, or contact your local HunterLab representative to order a...

  • Page 49: Agera Sample Accessories

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Agera Sample Accessories HunterLab Flash Drive (A10-1013-423) 2 GB USB 2.0 flash drive formatted for customer use with customized code for Setup backup and CSV Datalog export. USB Flexible Keyboard (A13-1014-294) This 88-character keyboard allows the user to enter IDs directly into the instrument.

  • Page 50: Sample Cup Opaque Cover (04-4000-00)

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Sample Cup Opaque Cover (04-4000-00) Provides a light trap to exclude the interference of external ambient light on the sample. Figure 50. Sample Cup Cover Ring Only (04-4230-00) From Ring and Disk set (92-4579-00) to hold light inside sample cup.

  • Page 51: Skein/Swatch Holder (02-7396-00)

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Skein/Swatch Holder (02-7396-00) Sample Presentation Device used for measuring swatches, yarns, and string skeins. Figure 54. Skein/Swatch Holder Foot switch Assembly (D02-1010-327) The footswitch is used to initiate sample measurement without the use of hands.
  • Page 52 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 53: When You Need Assistance

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 When You Need Assistance If you need for technical or sales assistance on applications, troubleshooting, , service, warranty, accessory pricing and more, please contact the office nearest you: For the Americas, Support@hunterlab.com For Asia, AsiaSupport@hunterlab.com...
  • Page 54 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 55: Connecting Agera To Easymatch® Qc

    Appendix A Connecting Agera to EasyMatch® QC EasyMatch QC Version 4.94 and above have the ability to connect with current Agera Sensors. For Agera with serial number less than VTS00135, there needs to be some hardware added and software updated (Agera Essentials 1.00.14 and above).
  • Page 56 IN THE NETWORK and then click SEARCH to do an automatically searching. There will be a drop- down list of all available Agera sensors. If the sensor is shown, then it is connectable. If the sensor in the list with “??????” instead of sensor name, it means that EasyMatch QC can find the AGERA, while AGERA is not free to connect to EasyMatch QC.

  • Page 57: Connect Agera And Pc With An Ethernet Cable Directly

    ETHERNET and uncheck the box to DISCOVER AND SELECT A SENSOR IN THE NETWORK. Then type in the IP ADDRESS which has been set up in Agera Essentials. Or you can check the box to DISCOVER AND SELECT A SENSOR IN THE NETWORK and SEARCH to find the Agera.
  • Page 58 Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6...

  • Page 59: Index

    Agera Supplemental Manual for EasyMatch QC ver. 2.6 Index Add Sensor, 18 Multiple Modes, 24 Cleaning Operating Conditions, 43, 45 Instrument Standard, 33 Repeatability Test, 37 Cleaning the Agera, 10 Sample Measurement, 23 Diagnostics, 35 Shipping Bolt, 11 Ethernet Port, 12...

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