Spectrophotometer Calibration | AML Instruments

Spectrophotometer Calibration

Businesses in industries such as automotive, printing, packaging, and paints and coatings use spectrophotometers to accurately measure and analyse colours, ensuring colour consistency and quality in their products. However, precise colour measurement can only be achieved if your spectrophotometer is providing reliable data on properties like colour differences, brightness, whiteness, composition, etc.

How do we know this is the case? By calibrating your colour measurement spectrophotometer. This ensures the test instrument is ‘reset to zero’ and no defects are present, giving you accurate and reliable colour analysis.

If you need help calibrating your spectrophotometer, our highly-trained engineers will be happy to put your spectrophotometer through a thorough calibration process. We calibrate many different brands of colour measurement spectrophotometers, including apparatus from world leaders in spectrophotometry like Datacolor, Konica Minota, BYK Gardner, HunterLab, 3NH, and X-Rite.

Even if your spectrophotometer is out of support due to planned obsolescence by the manufacturer, we’re still happy to offer calibration and other support options.

Important: AML Instruments can only calibrate visible colour spectrophotometers and visible spectrophotometers. We CANNOT calibrate chemical analysis spectrophotometers.

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Our spectrophotometer calibration services

We can come to you or you can send your color spectrophotometer to us (handheld colour spectrophotometers only). It’s as easy as that.

For onsite calibration, get in touch, and we’ll sort a mutually-convenient date and time for one of our expert team to come to your facility. This is the most cost-effective option if you have multiple spectrophotometers or large, non-portable colour measurement devices. It can also significantly minimise disruption to your operations.

Portable spectrophotometers are ideal for posting out to our in-house, ISO 17025 accredited laboratory for calibration. We work to a standard turnaround time of five working days, sending your test equipment securely back to you via UPS. If we can get it back to you sooner, we will do everything in our power to do so.

To guarantee a super speedy service for your spectrophotometer, why not take advantage of our 24-48 hour express service? Please note, this does require pre-booking.

All of AML’s spectrophotometer calibration services are fully traceable to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by using calibrated colour standards (ISO 17025 spectrophotometer calibration) or National Traceability Standard (traceable spectrophotometer calibration). In addition to calibration, we also offer a spectrophotometer repair service.

Why does a spectrophotometer need to be calibrated?

Just like your car needs an MOT every year to check it’s roadworthy, your spectrophotometer needs regular maintenance to yield optimal performance and determine there are no faults.

The performance of a spectrophotometer might degrade over time due to reasons like volatile environmental conditions and improper handling, hence the importance of booking it in for calibration at regular intervals.

Similarly, if your spectrophotometer for colour measurement has been damaged, unused, or left unchecked for long periods of time, it’s highly likely its readings have ‘drifted’ into inaccurate territory.

Professional calibration will keep your spectrophotometer stable for many months, while giving you the peace of mind it’s providing accurate results.

How often should you calibrate your spectrophotometer?

We recommend you get your spectrophotometer at least once a year, irrespective of how often you capture and evaluate colour. For spectrophotometers subject to more intense use or harsh working environments (dust, smoke, etc), this frequency should be upped.

If you’re ever in doubt, refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines in the handbook or speak to one of our engineers for expert advice.

How is a spectrophotometer calibrated?

Calibrating a spectrophotometer is a precise process designed to ensure accurate and repeatable colour measurement results. Here’s an overview of how it’s typically carried out:

  1. Initial Cleaning

The instrument is thoroughly cleaned, with particular attention given to the integrating sphere and the reference (white) tile. Clean, dry air is used to remove any dust or debris from the sphere.

  1. Internal Calibration

The spectrophotometer’s internal calibration routine is performed using its own built-in reference tiles. This aligns the instrument with its factory-defined baseline.

  1. Cross-Verification with ISO 17025 Calibrated Tiles

To ensure accuracy, the instrument is then verified using a series of ISO 17025 calibrated colour tiles. These traceable standards confirm that the device is reading within expected tolerances.

  1. Adjustment & Re-Check (If Required)

If discrepancies are identified during verification, fine adjustments are made. The instrument is then rechecked against the ISO 17025 reference tiles to confirm correct performance.

  1. Documentation & Labelling

All calibration results are recorded for traceability. A calibration label is applied to the spectrophotometer, indicating the date of calibration and when the next one is due.

This process ensures the spectrophotometer delivers reliable, traceable measurements essential for quality control in colour-critical applications.

Colour spectrophotometers we calibrate

We’ve listed below some of the more popular color measurement spectrophotometer brands and models we calibrate.

Don’t worry if your instrument is absent — this list isn’t exhaustive so please give us a tinkle to see if we can help with your spectrophotometer calibration needs.

  • 3nh MS3000
  • 3nh MS3003
  • BYK Color-Guide
  • BYK Gloss Meter
  • CHN Spec CS-390
  • CHN Spec CS-580
  • Datacolor 20D
  • Datacolor 450
  • HunterLab® ColorFlex®
  • HunterLab® ColorQuest®
  • Konica Minolta CM-600d
  • Konica Minolta CM-3600A
  • X-Rite Ci4100
  • X-Rite Ci60
  • X-Rite ColorEye.

How AML Instruments can help you achieve accuracy and precision in your colour measurements

As a full-spectrum calibration company, AML Instruments are specialists in a broad array of calibration disciplines and test instruments. This includes gloss meters, environmental chambers, and viscometers.

Contact us today if your spectrophotometer is due for calibration, and we’ll ensure it’s delivering accurate and consistent readings.

We’re here to help

Let us help you

+44 01522 789375
[email protected]
Live Chat

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