The BFC-450 conveniently connects to your computer via an IEEE-488 GPIB connector.

Windows™-based software is easy to install and simple to use. Data obtained from the BFC-450 provides valuable information for tighter color tolerancing and consistency in manufacturing. The instrument offers researchers and quality control professionals measurement versatility and performance historically unavailable in fluorescent color measurements.

Principle of Operation

The BFC-450 uses the same operating principle as reference instruments maintained by several national laboratories for fluorescent color measurement. The instrument operates in a 45°/0° geometry, using both monochromatic illumination and monochromatic detection. This dual monochromator method allows fluorescent color to be determined under any illuminating condition, from different phases of daylight to a variety of indoor or artificial lighting conditions. Metamerism can be readily identified for fluorescent colors as well.

For any sample, complete analysis of spectral radiance factor is obtained for every 10nm band of incident illumination. The resulting "bispectral" matrix is a fundamental representation of the reflected excitation and emission spectra associated with fluorescent materials. The bispectral matrix is then used to calculate the sample’s total radiance factor providing a complete and illuminant independent colorimetric characterization of a sample.

Easy to use system software guides users through measurement routines.

With one click of a button, the measurement routine is initiated…in less than 10 minutes, complete and accurate characterization of the sample is achieved.

Data is viewed in a variety of formats including spectra radiance graphs, tabular reports, data tables and color rating reports.

Data is automatically saved in text format for simplified transfer to other application software such as spreadsheets, databases, scientific analysis and word processing programs.

An essential color rating report is generated instantly. The report includes:

• Date, time, operator name, test parameters
• Luminescence, reflectance and total tristimulus values
• Chromaticity values
• CIELAB and CIELUV parameters
• CIE whiteness and Tint
• Brightness, R457
• Rx, Ry and Rz values

 
Two versatile operational modes

• Quality Control Mode
  Allows technicians to run routine measurements, record calculated color data, generate reports and transfer data directly to Excel or as files for access by other applications.

• Advanced Mode
  Allows color researchers to perform advanced analysis, determine color tolerance, specify illuminants, and set test parameters for measurement routines.

Automated Validation and Instrument Calibration

The BFC-450 is supplied with one validation standard and two calibration standards. The calibration standards include a reflectance calibration standard and calibrated photodetector. At each start-up, the instrument software automatically initiates a validation routine to ensure the instrument is running within calibration tolerance. User calibration, when required, is easily performed through the instrument software.

Customer Support

• Fast, responsive customer service
• Current technical and application information
• Installation and training
• Service contracts

Specifications  

Optical Geometry	annular bi-directional 45°/0°
illumination axis:	45° +/- 2°
illumination aperture:	+/- 2°
viewing axis:	0° +/- 2°
viewing aperture:	+/- 1°
Measurement Area:	32 mm diameter aperture 25 mm diameter illumination
Inter-instrument Agreement	0.5DEMCDM based on average of 10 BCRA Series II tiles 1.0DEMCDM based on average of 7 selected fluorescent color specimens
Medium Term Repeatability	0.15DEMCDM based on average of 10 BCRA Series II tiles 0.30DEMCDM based on average of 7 selected fluorescent color specimens
Measurement Time:	less than 10 minutes per sample
Wavelength Range
Excitation:	300 - 780 nm
Emission:	380 - 780 nm
Effective Bandwidth
Excitation:	10 nm
Emission:	10 nm
Measurement Interval:	10 nm
Sample Orientation:	front sample port
Maximum Sample Size:	no limit
Computer Requirements: (customer supplied)	32 Bit Win 95/98/NT 4.0; Pentium® processor, 32 Mb RAM minimum (64 recommended); 4 Mb disk space, National Instruments GPIB PCII/IIA or AT-GPIB/TNT interface card
Computer Monitor: (customer supplied)	Minimum: 640 x 480 resolution VGA	Recommended: 1024 x 768 256 card
Computer Interface:	GPIB IEEE-488
Dimensions:	11.5 H x 20 D x 30.75 W (inches)
	29.2 H x 50.8 D x 78.1 W (cm)
Weight:	110lb. (50Kg)
Power Requirements:	100 - 230 VAC, 50/60Hz
Operating Environment:	15° - 35° C, 0% - 70% RH (non-condensing)
Storage Environment:	0° - 50° C, 0% - 70% RH (non-condensing)