Color Analyzer

The ColorTrend HT color analyzer, suited for a variety of baking and snack food products, continuously measures and reports the color and height of a moving product. Positioned for non-contact between two and six inches away from the product, and designed for harsh production environments, the system provides real-time color and height outputs that can be integrated into plant process control systems. On-line color and height tracking of each production run provides a recorded product profile for monitoring conformance to product specifications.

The system consists of two basic components: a sensor unit and a wall-mounted support unit. User interface options include four 4-20 mA analog outputs, handheld terminal, and a RS-485/RS-232 PC interface connection that allows bidirectional communication between the support unit and the utility software. The system operates with the company's Microsoft Windows 95-based utility software program. Functions include instrument setup and configuration, real-time data display, trend graphics, archiving and retrieval of run data, and system diagnostics.

Color tracking and height cutoff features allow the user to disregard specific colorimetric and height data that lies outside preset thresholds to eliminate undesired product color measurement or background belt or pan interference. The hitch feature allows the user to track the analyzer with other laboratory color-measuring instruments. Data can be easily exported to other Windows-based applications.

Hunter Associates Laboratory, Inc., 11491 Sunset Hills Rd., Reston, VA 20190. Tel: 703-471-6870; Fax: 703-471-4237.