Quality Magazine Article: Benchtop vs. Portable Spectrophotometers

A "small" innovation has had a very large effect on measuring and analyzing color finishes and materials. Advances in reducing the size of computer and memory chips and measurement sensors have significantly changed how color quality control is maintained. The biggest result of chip and sensor miniaturization is measurement, analysis, and, ultimately, the decisions that can be made. For years, the laboratory was the decision-making room. Now, however, accurate quality control decisions can be made immediately "on location", such as the factory floor and assembly line. Continued advances in chip and sensor design, as well as improved software programs, enable making many more decisions on the factory floor. Portable spectrophotometers were introduced about three years ago. While it was quite an accomplishment compared with earlier color-measuring instruments, the portable spectrophotometer did not replace benchtop versions with more analytical power. But today, in addition to reducing the size and weight of the portable spectrophotometer, technology has made it the equal of benchtop units for typical quality control applications.