Measuring Vinyl Siding Using the ColorTrend HT
The color of vinyl siding is closely monitored on the production line. Any on-line instrument used for measurement of this siding must be capable of differentiating between acceptable and unacceptable product and alerting when an "out-of-tolerance" condition is nearing so that necessary corrections can be made to the process in real time.
The HunterLab ColorTrend HT can accurately detect differences between acceptable siding and siding that is off-color.
The ColorTrend HT
The Application
Vinyl siding may be read on-line with no special preparation procedures required.
| Recommended Color Scale | CIELAB as a full color descriptor |
| Recommended Illuminant/Observer | C/2°. |
Measurement Method
1. Configure a product setup for each type or color of siding with the following parameters:
*Parenthetical entries refer to terminal wording where it differs from that of the Utility Software
| Set-up Number | Your choice | |
| Set-up Name (Product Name) | Your choice | |
| Color Scale | L*a*b* (CLab) | |
| Product Target Values (Target Values) | Establish using the read button with an ideal product standard, if desired (Enter values for ideal product standard, if desired) | |
| Chart Color Index (Display Height) | No (Yes) | |
| Hitch (Enable Hitch) | Off (No) | |
| Average | 1 | |
| Read Mode | Piecewise (Piece) | |
| Hold Time | 5 seconds | |
| Data Mode | Absolute | |
| Datalogging Interval | 1 second or more | |
| Background Distance | Recalculate for this product | |
| Cut-off Distance | Recalculate for this product | |
| Units (Height Units) | Your choice | |
| Alert Limit | Enter color values beyond which alert should be given | |
| Alarm Limit | Enter color values beyond which alarm state should be activated | |
| Analog Outputs (Channel Centers/Channel Spans) | If analog output available, enter appropriate values | |
| Filter | Disabled (0.0) | |
| Color Tracking (Track Color) | On and enter limits (thresholds) | |
| Tilt Angle | 15° | |
| Standardization Interval | If autocalibrator available, enter appropriate choice | |
| AC Frequency | Enter appropriate value | |
| White Tile Values | Do not change values shown |
2. Begin the run.
3. Modify the target values and limits as necessary to optimize the process. The ideal situation is one where the reading of defective product immediately causes the alarm state to be activated, but acceptable products continue to be read as usual.