HP ColorFlex 13 User Manual
ColorFlex
Notice: Use of this equipment in a manner not specified by the manufacturer may
impair the protection afforded by the equipment.
The ColorFlex system consists of a ColorFlex optical sensor and an IBM-compatible computer
composed of the system unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The computer may have been userprovided or purchased with the sensor and software. A printer may also be used with the system.
The ColorFlex Sensor
The ColorFlex spectrocolorimeter is a versatile, compact color measurement instrument that can be used
on products of virtually any size and in industries as diverse as paint and textiles. It is available in two
different models, 45°/0° and diffuse/8° (sphere). The label on the bottom of the instrument identifies the
geometry. The instrument is designed for use with the sample port facing up or forward.
Sample port
LCD screen
(display)
Keypad
The Read Button
The Read (lightning bolt) button on the keypad, also known as the “Sensor button,” can be used to
perform any command or macro assigned to it through the Toolbar command on the Configure menu.
By default, this button activates a sample measurement. To assign it another function, see the Toolbar
section in the Configure chapter, Chapter 9.
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The diffuse model
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Accessories
f
The following accessories are provided with the ColorFlex and can be found in the standards box.
• Black glass - placed at the sample port during standardization of 45°/0° instruments.
• Light trap - placed at the sample port during standardization of diffuse/8° instruments.
• White calibrated tile - placed at the sample port during standardization.
• Green tile - used to check instrument performance. Use of the green tile is described on page 24-3.
• Standards care card - gives instructions on how to clean the standards.
• Lens cleaning solution (45°/0° instruments only).
• Lens brush (45°/0° instruments only).
• Certificate of traceability for the standard tile.
• RS-232 computer interface cable.
• AC adapter, 20 W/15V.
• Utility program diskettes and Diagnostics diskette.
Light trap
Standards care card
Certificate o
traceability
Green tile
White calibrated
tile
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Options and Sample Devices
Any or all of the following options and sample devices may be included. HunterLab part numbers are
included for your convenience.
• Sample clamp/port-forward stand (HL#D02-1010-459),
• Port inserts [45°/0° instruments only] (various part numbers),
• Bar code reader kit (HL#D02-1010-715),
• 2.5-inch glass sample cup (HL#04-7209-00),
• Sample cup opaque cover (HL#04-4000-00),
• Sample cup port plate [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#04-6622-00),
• Ring and disk set [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#02-4579-00),
• Orange juice tube holder [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#D02-1011-127),
• Citrus option [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#UNI-Citrus/CFLX),
• OJ4 orange juice standard, uncalibrated (HL#A11-1011-509),
• Set of 6 orange juice standards, uncalibrated (HL#A11-1011-510),
• Tomato option [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#UNI-Tomato/CFLX),
• Tomato red tile [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#11-0202-00 for tile, TILE-CAL-TRACEABLE for
calibration to traceable standards),
• Skein holder [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#02-7396-00),
• 1.25-inch glass port insert [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#02-6624-05),
• 1.25-inch UV port insert [45°/0° instruments only] (HL#D02-1010-618),
• Foot switch (HL#D02-1010-327),
• External serial printer (HL#L01-1010-678 for 110V, L01-1010-679 for 220V),
• Carrying case (HL#D02-1010-619).
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Sample Clamp/Port-Forward Stand
The port-forward stand holds the instrument securely in the port-forward
position and the sample clamp allows samples to be held flat at the sample
port when the instrument is in this orientation. To attach the stand to the
ColorFlex, 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 sample clamp, pull the spring-loaded clamp away from the
sample port, insert the sample, and gently release the clamp.
Port Inserts (45°/0° instruments only)
Port inserts with various-sized openings may be purchased and placed at the reflectance port to allow for
a smaller area of view than the standard size. 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. Then standardize the
instrument. Any change in port size must be followed by standardization on both the black glass and the
white tile.
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Bar Code Reader Kit
The bar code reader attaches to the communications port of the
ColorFlex and allows input of a 24-character bar code ID. An AC
adapter is also provided.
Installing the Bar Code Reader
The ColorFlex is capable of reading and storing sample IDs from a bar code reader. The bar code
reader, cable, and AC power supply may be purchased as optional equipment from HunterLab. To
assemble the bar code reader, follow the instructions below.
1. Plug the male 9-pin connector of the scanner wand into the female 9-pin connector of the short RS-
232 adapter cord. Screw the pieces together firmly.
2. Plug the opposite end of the RS-232 adapter into the right (DB-9) port on the back of the ColorFlex.
3. Power for the bar code reader is obtained from the AC power supply. Plug the round connector of
the scanner wand into the AC power supply connector.
4. Plug the AC power cord into an electrical outlet.
5. Attach the wand holder to the ColorFlex at a convenient location.
Bar Code Reader Programming
Your bar code reader will come pre-programmed by HunterLab. However, if unforeseen circumstances
require that you re-program it, follow the instructions below.
The bar code reader must have three firmware features modified from the factory default in order to
work with the ColorFlex sensor. These changes are made by reading the available bar codes in the
Programming Menu. Use the following sequence to set the features for use with the ColorFlex sensor.
All three features to be changed are located on the “Input/Output Parameters & Format” pages (pp. 4
and 5) of the Programming Menu. This command sequence uses the ENTER and EXIT codes found on
the Input/Output pages and the scan codes found on the inside of the back cover. Unfold the back cover
so that you can access all three pages at once.
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To operate the bar code scanner, hold the wand at a slight angle (10 to 30 degrees) from vertical. Place
the wand on the page either to the right or left of the code to be scanned and move the wand at a steady
speed across the code to the other side. Do not stop until the bar code is completely passed over.
The red light at the tip of the bar code reader will blink twice when scanning the ENTER code and will
blink once for all other codes when the codes have been scanned correctly. You must look for the blink
for each code scanned. If the reader does not blink, try again. If you miss seeing the blink, or are unsure
if it blinked or not, scan the EXIT code and start the sequence again.
To modify the scanner setup, complete the following steps:
1. Change the default parity to “SPACE.” Perform the following scan sequence:
ENTER, ROMAN NUMERAL II, B, EXIT.
2. Change the default preamble. Perform the following scan sequence:
ENTER, ROMAN NUMERAL III, C, 0, 1, C, 4, 0, C, 6, 5, C, 5, B, EXIT.
3. Change the default postamble. Perform the following scan sequence:
ENTER, ROMAN NUMERAL IV, A, EXIT.
Note: The information contained in this section is specific for use with the ColorFlex sensor. For
additional information regarding features, maintenance, or use of the bar code reader, please see
the manuals provided with the bar code reader.
Note: The bar code reader is not configured for direct operation with the available software support
packages provided by HunterLab. This software package cannot access the bar code information.
Reading and Saving Bar Code IDs
1. Switch the ColorFlex to Setup mode and go to the Instrument Setup screen.
2. Turn Autosave ON.
3. Switch the ColorFlex to Read mode.
4. Select the appropriate setup. You are prompted to read the sample or ID from the bar code reader.
Note: If WORKING is the selected standard type, you will first be prompted to read the standard or
ID.
5. Position the ColorFlex on the specimen and take a measurement using the Read key. The ColorFlex
again asks for sample or ID.
6. Enter the sample ID by swiping the bar code reader wand across the bar code. The instrument beeps
after the ID is entered.
Note: The sample measurement must be made BEFORE the bar code ID is entered.
When the datalog is printed to a serial printer, the bar code ID appears with each reading.
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Note: If you do not use the autostore function, then be sure to manually log each reading by
pressing the Up Arrow/Print key after entering the sample ID from the bar code reader.
2.5-inch Glass Sample Cup
The sample cup is ideal for the analysis of powders, granules, pellets, and
translucent samples. It is recommended for use with the instrument in the
port-up position. The cup can be filled with the desired sample and placed at
the measurement port so that the sample is measured through the glass bottom
of the cup.
Sample Cup Opaque Cover
The opaque cover provides a light trap to exclude the interference of external
light on a sample contained in the 2.5-inch sample cup. It is placed over the
filled cup at the sample port as shown below.
Sample Cup Port Plate (45°/0° instruments only)
This port insert is specially designed to accommodate the 2.5-inch (64-mm) glass sample cup and to
hold it in the proper position at the measurement port. Remove the standard port insert by pulling it out
of the port insert retainer. Replace it with the sample cup port insert, then standardize the instrument.
Ring and Disk Set (45°/0° instruments only)
The ring and disk set includes a plastic ring and ceramic disk designed for
use inside the 2.5-inch glass sample cup (sold separately). The ring and
disk set are recommended for use when measuring translucent liquids,
transparent liquids, and semi-solids to exclude external light and provide a
consistent white background. Place the ring inside the sample cup and fill
the cup with the sample to a level above the ring. Then place the ceramic
disk on top of the sample (until it rests on top of the ring) with the white
portion facing the sample. If desired, cover the entire assembly with the
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