LISUN HSCD-860 Portable Spectrophotometer for Paint: Revolutionizing Color Quality Control in Coating Industry

Abstract
Color consistency is a critical quality indicator in the paint and coating industry, directly affecting product aesthetics, brand reputation, and market competitiveness. The LISUN HSCD-860 Portable Spectrophotometer for Paint emerges as a cutting-edge solution, integrating advanced optical technology, high-precision measurement capabilities, and user-friendly design to address the stringent color testing demands of paint production, application, and quality inspection. This paper elaborates on its technical principles, core features, and practical applications in the paint industry, highlighting how its innovations (e.g., nano-integrated optical devices, dual optical paths) enhance measurement accuracy, stability, and efficiency, providing reliable support for standardized color management in coatings.

1. Introduction
In the paint and coating sector, even minor color deviations can lead to rework, customer complaints, or increased costs. Traditional color measurement methods, such as visual assessment or low-precision instruments, are prone to subjective errors and environmental interference, failing to meet the high standards of modern manufacturing. Portable spectrophotometers, as essential tools for objective color quantification, have become indispensable for ensuring color consistency across raw material procurement, production processes, and finished product testing.

The LISUN HSCD-860 Portable Spectrophotometer for Paint, developed by LISUN GROUP after nearly a decade of research, represents a breakthrough in portable color measurement technology. Its high accuracy (dE*ab≤0.03), stability, and versatility make it uniquely suited for paint-related scenarios, where on-site, rapid, and precise color analysis is required. This paper explores its technical advantages and practical value in transforming paint color quality control.

2. Technical Principles of HSCD-860 Portable Spectrophotometer for Paint

The HSCD-860 adopts a D/8° measurement geometry (diffuse illumination, 8° directional reception) with both SCI (Specular Component Included) and SCE (Specular Component Excluded) modes, enabling comprehensive color characterization of paint surfaces—whether glossy or matte. Its core working principles rely on three key technologies:

2.1 Dual Optical Path Design

The instrument features a dual optical path structure that simultaneously monitors the sample signal and the fluctuation of the light source energy during measurement. This design effectively reduces interference from ambient light, voltage instability, or light source aging, significantly improving measurement repeatability to dEab≤0.04 (HSCD-800) and even dEab≤0.03 for the HSCD-860. For paint testing, this means consistent results when measuring the same paint sample multiple times, critical for batch-to-batch consistency checks.

2.2 Nano-Integrated Optical Devices

A standout innovation of the HSCD-860 is its 5-micron-thick nano-integrated optical device as the spectroscopic component. This ultra-thin device achieves nanoscale light-splitting capabilities, surpassing traditional spectroscopic technologies used in foreign products. It ensures precise wavelength separation (400-700nm range with 10nm intervals) and high reflectance resolution (0.01%), enabling accurate capture of subtle color differences in paints—such as variations in hue, saturation, or lightness caused by pigment ratios or curing conditions.

2.3 Integrating Sphere and Calibration System

The 40mm integrating sphere ensures uniform light distribution, minimizing measurement errors caused by uneven paint surfaces (e.g., brush marks or texture). For long-term stability, the HSCD-860 utilizes a calibration base with a zirconium reference standard (Mohs hardness 9, dubbed “artificial diamond”). Unlike conventional ceramic or plastic calibration whiteboards, this zirconium material resists scratches, color change from temperature/humidity fluctuations, and oxidation, ensuring reliable calibration over time. This is particularly valuable for paint factories where instruments are frequently used in harsh environments (e.g., high humidity in coating booths).

HSCD-860_Portable Spectrophotometer

3. Core Features of HSCD-860 Portable Spectrophotometer for Paint

Tailored to the diverse needs of paint testing, the HSCD-860 integrates multiple advanced features, as detailed below:

3.1 Ultra-High Measurement Accuracy and Consistency

Repeatability: dE*ab≤0.03, the lowest in its class, ensuring that repeated measurements of the same paint sample (e.g., a batch of white primer) yield negligible deviations.
Inter-station difference: dE*ab≤0.3, meaning multiple HSCD-860 units in a paint factory (e.g., one on the production line, one in the lab) produce consistent results, avoiding discrepancies in quality judgments.

3.2 Versatile Measurement Apertures

To accommodate paint samples of varying sizes—from large panels to small touch-up patches—the HSCD-860 offers three interchangeable apertures: Φ8mm/Φ11mm+Φ4mm/Φ6mm+3mm. For example:
Φ11mm aperture for measuring large, uniform paint surfaces (e.g., automotive body panels).
3mm aperture for tiny areas (e.g., paint defects or trim edges), ensuring targeted and accurate analysis.

3.3 Rich Measurement Parameters and Light Sources

30+ measurement parameters: Covering CIE-Lab, CIE-LCh, HunterLab, color difference (ΔEab, ΔE00), whiteness (WI), yellowness (YI), opacity, and color density (CMYK), among others. This allows comprehensive evaluation of paint properties—e.g., whiteness of interior wall paints or yellowness index of aging-resistant exterior coatings.

Nearly 40 evaluation light sources: Including D65 (daylight), A (incandescent), CWF (cool white fluorescent), and LED-B series, simulating various lighting conditions under which paints are viewed (e.g., outdoor daylight vs. indoor lighting). This ensures that paint color meets standards across different environments.

3.4 Smart Visualization and Data Management

• Built-in HD camera: Captures images of the measured area, allowing precise positioning of test points (e.g., avoiding dust or scratches on paint surfaces) and reducing errors from misalignment.
• Mobile and PC integration: Supports WeChat mini-programs, Android/iOS/Hongmeng apps, and PC software (ColorExpert). Users can:
-Share color data instantly via QR codes or files (CSV, QTX) for real-time collaboration between production and quality teams.
– Create cloud-based color libraries for paint formulas, enabling quick retrieval and comparison of standard vs. sample colors.
– Use the Color Matching System module in ColorExpert to calculate optimal pigment ratios, accelerating paint formulation adjustments.

3.5 Durability and Portability

With a 3000mAh battery supporting 8000 continuous measurements per charge and a rugged design, the HSCD-860 is ideal for on-site testing in paint factories, construction sites, or vehicle repair shops. Its 3.5-inch full-color screen and multilingual support (Chinese/English) enhance usability for operators with varying technical backgrounds.

4. Technical Specifications (HSCD-860 vs. HSCD-800)
The following table compares key parameters of HSCD-860 (optimized for paint testing) with its counterpart HSCD-800, highlighting its superior performance:

5. Application of HSCD-860 in Paint Industry

The HSCD-860 Portable Spectrophotometer for Paint delivers tangible benefits across the paint lifecycle:

5.1 Raw Material Inspection

Pigments, resins, and additives are critical to paint color. The HSCD-860 can quickly verify if incoming pigments match the standard color, preventing batch variations caused by raw material inconsistencies. For example, testing titanium dioxide (a common white pigment) ensures its whiteness (WI) meets specifications, avoiding dull or off-white paints.

5.2 Production Process Control

During paint mixing and curing, real-time color monitoring with the HSCD-860 allows timely adjustments. For instance, if a batch of blue paint deviates from the standard (ΔE*ab=0.2), operators can use the Color Matching System to determine if adding 2% more phthalocyanine blue pigment will restore the target color, reducing waste.

5.3 Finished Product Quality Assurance

For painted products (e.g., furniture, automobiles), the HSCD-860 inspects color uniformity across surfaces. Its small apertures can detect localized defects (e.g., a darker spot on a painted metal part), ensuring only qualified products leave the factory.

5.4 Field Maintenance and Repair

In automotive or industrial coating repair, the HSCD-860 matches the existing paint color, enabling precise tinting of touch-up paints. Its portability allows technicians to test colors directly on-site, ensuring seamless repairs.

6. Conclusion
The LISUN HSCD-860 Portable Spectrophotometer for Paint redefines color measurement standards in the coating industry through its nano-integrated optical technology, dual optical paths, and user-centric design. By offering unparalleled accuracy, versatility, and connectivity, it addresses the core challenges of color consistency in paint production and application. As the paint industry evolves toward higher quality and customization, the HSCD-860 stands as a pivotal tool, driving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing brand trust through reliable color management.