Introduction:

A Data color is one of the scientific instruments commonly found in many research and
industrial laboratories. A Data color/spectrophotometer is capable of both transmitting
and receiving light. The device is used to analyze samples of test material by passing
light through the sample and reading the intensity of the wavelengths. Different samples
impact the light in different ways, allowing a researcher or technician to learn more about
the materials in the test sample by seeing how the light behaves as it passes through the
sample.
The output of a Data color is usually a graph of light intensity versus wavelength.
The data collected to generate this graph can typically be saved as a table of wavelengths
and intensities.

Software that Need to Run Datacolor:

To run data color the following software’s are need to be installed.
1. Datacolor Tools (DCI-Tools)
2. Datacolor Match (DCI-Match)
Datacolor tools have the following functions-
i).Input of standard-It may physical standard such as swatch, TC, PC, TCX, PCX.
&Numerical standard-Such as Qtex file.
ii). Pass-Fail Report-Fastness properties, color change etc.
Datacolor match have the following functions-
Recipe calculation such as it gives main recipe, corrected recipe, costing & also
metamerism index.

Calibration of Datacolor/Spectrophotometer:
Calibration is a process in which a scientific instrument known as a spectrophotometer is
calibrated to confirm that it is working properly. This is important, as it ensures that the
measurements obtained with the instrument are accurate. The procedure varies slightly
for different instruments, with most manufacturers providing a detailed calibration guide
in the owner's manual so that people know how to calibrate the equipment properly.
When this process is performed, the person doing it must make a note in the log attached
to the equipment and in their experimental notes, so that people know when the device
was last calibrated and handled, and by whom.

The following calibration procedure is generally followed-

1. Click the Calibrate button on the button bar, or Instrument Menu, Calibrate.
2. Click Calibrate. The Prepare for Calibration dialog box displays.
3. Place the black trap over the measurement port, and click the Ready button. If the
instrument does not have a black trap, clear the port of any obstruction and click the
Ready button. The Prepare for Calibration window redisplays when the measurement is
completed.
4. Place the white calibration tile over the measurement port, and click the Ready button.
When the second measurement is completed, the Control Measurement dialog box
displays.
5. Click OK. If you have the diagnostic (green) tile test enabled, the program will prompt
you for the diagnostic tile.
6. Place the green tile at the port and click Ready. When the measurement is complete,
the results of the diagnostic tile test will be displayed.
7. The DECISION should be "Pass". Click OK to close the instrument.

Data color Tools Does the following Functions:

Measurement Procedure for Standard and Sample/Batch:
After completing the calibration procedure, the data color is ready for use. The
measurement procedure for standard sample-
1. Place the standard sample on the probe/port of the data color carefully (Usually
four folded is done)
2. Click the New Std button on the desktop. This clears the Name field, and places
the cursor in the field.
3. Enter a name for the sample. Sample data can come from the instrument, the
database or the keyboard. On the desktop there are two buttons that identify the
origin of the standard and batch measurements.(Here From Instrument).
4. The measurement method is set independently for each sample type. In this
example, both the standard and the batch measurement come from the instrument
(Inst). Click the Std: Inst button to start the measurement. The sample just
measured becomes the current standard on the desktop. Data fields on the desktop
will be updated to display the data for the sample just measured.

When you measure a new standard, the batch field is emptied. You have not yet
associated any batches with this standard. To measure a batch, a standard must be on the
desktop.
The procedure for measuring a batch is similar to measuring a standard. However,
you must click the Bat: Inst button. When using a portable instrument, position the
sample so that it completely covers the opening on the probe or port.

Evaluations:
Color Evaluations
Once you have selected a standard or batch, there are numerous color evaluations you can
perform. Typically, the Datacolor TOOLS desktop includes several color evaluations
including color differences, pass/fail, color plots etc.The color evaluation displayed is
always based on the current standard and batch data on the desktop.

Pass Fail Evaluation

• Color Difference (DL*, Da*, Db*, DC*, DH*, and DE*). These are the color
differences between the batch and standard. This example includes differences between
the samples on each individual parameter (DL*, Da*, Db*, etc.) as well as DE*, the
composite color difference.

• Illuminant/Observer (Ill/Obs) Condition (D65/10 deg, A/10 Deg, andF2/10 Deg). These
are the Illuminant and Standard Observer selections being used for the evaluation. The
color differences between the standard and the batch are provided for each
Illuminant/Observer condition. The color differences between the samples do not remain
the same when the illuminant or observer is changed.

• Pass/Fail Determination. If the batch color difference is within the tolerances set for the
standard, the program will display PASS. If outside the tolerances, the batch FAILS.

• Descriptors (Batch is lighter, more saturated, more yellow). Translates the numerical
color differences into a qualitative description of the color differences for the first
Illuminant/Observer condition.

Data color Match’s Does the following Functions:

Colorant Sets:
A colorant set is a set of color information about the substrate and dyes the system uses to
produce match and correction recipes. It contains...
• Information about the overall colorant set, e.g., the substrate and process that will be
used with the dyes;
• Product information about each dye, e.g., strength, minimum and maximum
concentrates;
• Color information about each dye;

Colorant Set procedure:

1. Open the “Colorant Set List” window.
2. On the “Colorant Set” or the contextsensitivemenu, select New Textile.
3. Specify the name and the identification of the new colorant set.
4. A click in the „Dye Process“, „Substrate Delivery“ and „Operation“ field opens the
corresponding selectionbox.Select Input Form on the contextsensitivemenu of the
selection box to specify a new object.
5 Click Store.
Recipe Calculation (Matching):

Selection:
• Quality/style (data of the substrate)
• Combined process
• Substrate delivery (only for deliveries with data different to the blank dyeing substrate)
• Dyed substrate (over-dyeing only)
• Dyestuff group with dyes pre-selected from the assigned colorant set. The dyestuff
group is used to optimize the recipe calculation. Selection criteria:
• Dyes from the list
• Parameter values, e.g., fastness information
• Concentration values, e.g., min., max., conc.
• Settings (parameters for calculation control)
• Standard: Color to be matched.

Match: The recipes are calculated according to the selections and the results are
displayed.

Review: The recipes can be reviewed according to the different criteria (various color
difference values, coordinates, price, etc.).
Further use: The recipes can be saved, printed and/or sent to a dispenser.

Recipe Calculation procedure:

1 Open the “Recipe List” window.
2 On the “Recipe” or the context-sensitive menu, select Calculate, or press F5.
3 Select the quality/style and the combined process.
4 If necessary, select the substrate delivery.
5 Select the colorant set(s)
6 Select the “Standard” to be matched.
7 If you have to re-dye, select the dyed substrate or re-measure it.
8 In the “Colorant Set” tab select the dyestuffs to by used and select or specify a dyestuff
group.
9 In the “Settings” tab, select the parameters for the matching process.
10 Click Calculate to immediately start the recipe calculation. The recipe table appears.
11 Select the recipes you want to dye.
12 Click close, or Save to save the recipe.

Correction:

Selection of correction type:

• Laboratory The existing recipe is altered and saved again.
• Production An additional recipe is calculated that is used to change color of the dyed
batch to the correct color.
Data input:
• Recipe to be corrected
• Batch (color of the dyed substrate to be corrected)
• Dyestuffs are pre-selected by the recipe to be corrected. Additional dyestuffs can be
selected. Concentration and parameters can be defined.
• The acceptance limit settings can be altered.

Laboratory Correction recipe procedure:

1. Select the recipe to be corrected in the “Recipe List” window.
2. On the context-sensitive menu, select Pass Fail and Laboratory Correction, or pressF6.
3. Click Pass Fail and Correction.
4. In the “Batch and Color Difference” field, measure or select the sample.
5. If necessary, alter the data in the dyestuffs table.
6. Click Save to save a manual correction. The correction recipe is saved.
7. Click Laboratories. The “Recipe Correction” table appears.
8. In the “Recipe Correction” dialog box, you can look at the result of the matching. The
color differences between “Standard” and “Batch” are displayed.
9. If finished, close the recipe table.
10. Click Yes.
11. Select the recipe output(s) according your needs, and/or close the” Show Full Recipe”
dialog box.

Production Correction recipe procedure:

1 Select the recipe to be corrected in the “Recipe List” window.
2 On the context-sensitive menu, select Pass Fail and Production Correction, or press F7.
3 Click Productions.
4 You can optimize the result of the matching by adding dyestuffs and concentrations and
by specifying tolerances.
5 When finished, you can display and print the recipe.
6 Click Close to close the “Production Correction” dialog box.

Some Models of Data color:

Data color 110 Data color 600

Datacolor 400
Basic Components of the Data color/Spectrophotometer:
All spectrophotometer instruments designed to measure the absorption of radiant Energy
have the basic components as follows (Figure 4):
1. A stable source of radiant energy (Light);
2. A wavelength selector to isolate a desired wavelength from the source (filter or
monochromatic);
3. Transparent container (curette) for the sample and the blank.
4. A radiation detector (phototube) to convert the radiant energy received to measurable
signal; and a readout device that displays the signal from the detector.

Light source

Monochromator

Sample

Phototube Measuring
Absorbed/Transmitted

Figure: Components of a Data color/spectrophotometer

Operating Instructions For Data Color/Spectrophotometer:

1. Ensure 230V, 50Hz, single-phase power supply is available in the 3 contact 5Apower
point.
2. Insert the power cord of the instrument in to a power point.
3. Turn the switch at ‘ON” position.
4. Warm up the instrument for 15 minutes.
5. Press %T selector switch.
6. Adjust wavelength control to read the wavelength at which the test is desired.
7. Open the sliding lid of the sample compartment.
8. Turn the filter sliding control at filter position-1 to set zero adjustment,
9. Close the sliding lid of the sample compartment.
10. Turn the coarse and fine controls at their maximum and adjust %T control to get 0.00
displayed on the read out with the filter position-1.
11. Now turn the filter sliding control at required position decided based on the
wavelength selected.
Filter Position Wavelength
2 Below 395 nm
3 395 to 600 nm
4 Above 600nm
12. Keep the blank cuvette at position-1.
13. Keep the sample cuvette at position –2.
14. Adjust 100%T (%T selector switch should be in pressed position) or 0.0 absorbance
(O.D selector switch should be in pressed position) using coarse and fine controls knob
with blank cuvette.
15. Pull the cuvette position control at position-2.
16. Read out the transmittance/absorbance of the sample.

Precautions:
1. Always clean the cells thoroughly and rinse at least once with a portion of the sample,
before filling the sample for measurement.
2. Always wipe the exposed surface of the cells dry and free from finger prints, using
tissue paper.
3. Clean cells thoroughly immediately after use and prior to use.
4. Do not leave solutions, particularly strong alkali, in the cells for periods more than an
hour.
5. Ensure no air bubbles the inner surfaces of the cells.
6. Never use a brush or any tool for cleaning which may scratch the optical surfaces.