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PS401 Spectrophotometer

PS401 Spectrophotometer Instructions Operating Manual PS401 Spectrophotometer PDF
This PS401 Spectrophotometer Instrument are Certified with
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1 Years Warranty (Additional support period of 3 years)

The PS401 features a dual-purpose design: it can be used as a single unit ("main unit + probe") for handheld measurement needs, or the probe can be used independently for flexible integration into industrial automation equipment. Equipped with USB, Bluetooth, and RS485 and other mainstream industrial interfaces, it supports multi-device communication and collaborative work, allowing for rapid integration into various automated production lines to build distributed color measurement systems and meet the needs of multi-point synchronous color monitoring on complex production lines. It is widely used for color difference quality control in industries such as plastics and electronics, paints and inks, textiles and apparel printing and dyeing, printing, and ceramics.

1. Flexible Application of Dual Modes

Handheld + probe dual-use design: It can be operated as a whole to meet the sampling needs of the laboratory or the field; or the probe can be used alone and integrated into automated equipment to adapt to different working scenarios.

Micro-orifice measurement capability: The measuring aperture is only 1mm, making it suitable for precise colorimetric measurement of small samples, fine areas, curved surfaces, or narrow spaces.

Lightweight design: The main unit weighs only 250g, and the probe (including the calibration box) weighs 240g. Its compact size makes it easy to hold or embed in a device.

Flexible Application of Dual Modes


2. Built-in Electronic Color Card, Intelligent Color Management

Built-in electronic color card library: The device has a pre-installed standard electronic color card, so there is no need to carry a physical color card booklet, which can quickly compare the target color with the standard color sample.

One-click matching and filtering: After measuring the sample, the instrument can automatically identify the closest electronic color card number and color difference data, helping users quickly determine the color assignment and degree of deviation.

Highly efficient quality control: In the processes of incoming material inspection, production batch comparison, and finished product sampling inspection in industries such as plastics and electronics, paints and inks, and textile printing and dyeing, the efficiency of color determination is greatly improved and human error is reduced.

Scalability: Supports user-defined import or update of electronic color card libraries, meeting the digital management and application needs of enterprises' own standard color libraries.

Built-in Electronic Color Card, Intelligent Color Management


3. Industrial-grade Interfaces and Collaboration Capabilities

Multiple interface support: Equipped with multiple interfaces such as USB, Bluetooth, RS485 (probe end), RS232, and RJ45, it is convenient to connect with PLC, computers, printers, industrial controllers and other devices to achieve high-speed data transmission and system integration.

Multi-device communication and collaborative work: Supports networking of multiple devices, suitable for multi-point color synchronous monitoring in automated production lines, and building a distributed color measurement system.

External triggering and real-time feedback: Supports external triggering measurement, and can work in conjunction with production line sensors, robotic arms, etc. to achieve automated and synchronized data acquisition, facilitating closed-loop control.

Industrial-grade Interfaces and Collaboration Capabilities


4. High Precision and High Stability

Optical core: It adopts dual-channel silicon photodiode array sensors (32 groups in two rows) and nano-integrated spectral devices, with a wavelength range of 400-700nm, a wavelength interval of 10nm, and high spectral accuracy.

Good repeatability: standard deviation of chromaticity value ΔE*ab ≤ 0.02 (30 measurements at 5s intervals after whiteboard calibration), standard deviation of spectrophotometric reflectance ≤ 0.1% (≤ 0.2% in the range of 400-700nm).

Small inter-device difference: ΔE*ab ≤0.3 (average value of 12 color plates in BCRA series II), ensuring data consistency among multiple devices.

High display accuracy: 0.01%, reflectance resolution 0.01%, reflectance measurement range 0-200%, meeting high-precision quality control requirements.

High Precision and High Stability


5. Comprehensive Colorimetric Indicators and Software Ecosystem

Rich colorimetric indicators: Supports multiple color spaces such as CIE LAB, XYZ, Yxy, LCh, CIE LUV, s-RGB, HunterLab, βxy, DIN Lab99, etc.; covers multiple color difference formulas such as ΔEab, ΔE94, ΔEcmc, ΔE00, DINΔE99, etc.

Diverse colorimetric indicators: including spectral reflectance, whiteness (ASTM E313, CIE/ISO, ISO2470/R457, etc.), yellowness (ASTM D1925, ASTM 313), metamerism index (MI), staining/color change fastness, strength, opacity, 555 hue classification, Munsell (C/2), blackness (My, dM), color density (CMYK), tint, etc.

Multiple light sources and observer angles: Supports 32 types of observation light sources, including D65, A, B, C, D50, F series, and LED series, with selectable 2°/10° observer angles, conforming to international standards.

Comprehensive software ecosystem: Supports multiple platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, WeChat Mini Programs, and HarmonyOS, and provides quality management software (downloadable from the official website) to enable data storage, analysis, export, and traceability.

Comprehensive Colorimetric Indicators and Software Ecosystem


6. Stable and Durable, Adaptable to Complex Environments

Long-lasting light source: Combined full-spectrum LED light source with a lifespan of up to 10 years or more than 3 million measurements, reducing maintenance costs.

High-capacity battery: 3200mAh lithium battery, which can support about 9 hours or 15,000 measurements on a single charge, meeting the needs of long-term operation.

Strong environmental adaptability: operating temperature 0~40℃, storage temperature -20~50℃, humidity ≤85%RH (non-condensing), suitable for industrial site environments.

Metrological compliance guarantee: The equipment is guaranteed to be metrologically compliant at the factory, ensuring that the measurement results are traceable and reliable.

Stable and Durable, Adaptable to Complex Environments


Application Areas

The PS401 spectrophotometer is suitable for color difference quality control in industries such as plastics and electronics, paints and inks, textiles and apparel printing and dyeing, printing, ceramics, food packaging, cosmetics, and automotive parts. Its 1mm micro-aperture diameter is ideal for color control of extremely small samples, precision injection molded parts, screen-printed patterns, wires, and minute areas. Its dual-purpose design and rich interfaces enable it to deliver efficient, accurate, and stable color measurement capabilities in automated production lines, robotic arm integration, laboratory testing, and mobile inspection scenarios.

Application


Product Model

PS401 Spectrophotometer

Lighting Method

D/8 (diffuse illumination, 8° direction reception), SCI (including specular reflection), conforming to standards CIE No.15, GB/T 3978, GB 2893, GB/T 18833, ISO7724-1, ASTM E1164, DIN5033 Teil7

Characteristic

Employing a dual-channel silicon photodiode array sensor with a built-in electronic color card. It is used for color difference quality control in industries such as plastics and electronics, paints and inks, textiles and apparel printing and dyeing, printing, and ceramics.

Lighting Source

Combined full-spectrum LED light source

Integrating Sphere Size

Φ20mm

Spectrophotometry

Nanoscale integrated spectral devices

Sensors

Silicon photodiode array (dual-row, 32 groups)

Measurement Wavelength Range

400-700nm

Wavelength Spacing

10nm

Measuring Diameter

1mm

Light-containing Methods

SCI

Color Space

CIE LAB, XYZ, Yxy, LCh, CIE LUV, s-RGB, HunterLab, βxy, DIN Lab99

Color Difference Formula

ΔE*ab, ΔE*uv, ΔE*94, ΔE*cmc(2:1), ΔE*cmc(1:1), ΔE*00, DINΔE99, ΔE(Hunter)

Other Colorimetric Indicators

Spectral reflectance, WI (ASTM E313, CIE/ISO, ISO2470/R457, AATCC, Hunter, Taube, Berger, Stensby), YI (ASTM D1925, ASTM 313), metamerism index MI, staining fastness, color change fastness, strength, opacity, 555 hue classification, Munsell (C/2), blackness (My, dM), color density CMYK, Tint

Observer's Perspective

2°/10°

Observation Light Source

D65, A, B, C, D50, D55, D75, F1, F2(CWF), F3, F4, F5, F6, F7(DLF), F8, F9, F10(TPL5), F11(TL84), F12(TL83/U30), U35, NBF, ID50, ID65, LED-B1, LED-B2, LED-B3, LED-B4, LED-B5, LED-BH1, LED-RGB1, LED-V1, LED-V2

Display

Spectral graph/data, sample chromaticity value, color difference value/graph, pass/fail results, color simulation, color deviation

Measurement Time

Approximately 1s

Repeatability

Chromaticity value: Standard deviation ΔE*ab within 0.02 (after preheating and calibration, average value of 30 measurements on a white board at 5-second intervals)
Spectrophotometric reflectance: MAV/SCI, standard deviation within 0.1% (400~700nm: within 0.2%)

Inter-platform Difference

ΔE*ab within 0.3 (average value measured from 12 color swatches of BCRA Series II)

Display Accuracy

0.01

Reflectivity Measurement Range

0-200%

Reflectivity Resolution

0.01%

Measurement Method

Single measurement, average measurement (2~99 times)

Positioning Method

Auxiliary positioning lines

Whiteboard Verification Method

Contact whiteboard verification

Size

Main unit: 80*132*20; Probe: φ43*73.5

Weight

Main unit: 250g; Probe (including calibration box): 240g

Battery Power

Lithium battery, 3.7V, 3200mAh, 15,000 measurements within 9 hours

Lighting Source Lifespan

10 years, more than 3 million measurements

Display Screen

TFT true color 3.5inch, capacitive touch screen

Interface

USB, Bluetooth, RS485 (probe)

Data Storage

Standards: 500, Samples: 10,000, APP/PC massive storage

Software Support

Android, iOS, Windows, WeChat Mini Programs, HarmonyOS



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FAQs About  Portable Spectrophotometers

A benchtop spectrophotometer is not universally better—it outperforms portable units in precision and lab testing, while portable models win for on-site flexibility. Which one is better depends entirely on your testing scenarios, accuracy requirements and workflow.


Benchtop Spectrophotometer Advantages

  • Higher measurement accuracy & repeatability, excellent inter-instrument agreement

  • Supports full-spectrum analysis, more geometric optical designs

  • Larger testing aperture, compatible with curved, textured and bulk samples

  • Ideal for laboratory QC, R&D, formula matching and standard color calibration

  • Stable performance, less affected by external light and environment


Portable Spectrophotometer Advantages

  • Compact, lightweight, test anywhere anytime (production line, warehouse, on-site inspection)

  • Fast one-click measurement, no fixed power and lab space required

  • Perfect for incoming material inspection, on-line production spot check, field color comparison

  • Lower cost and easier to operate for frontline workers


Which One Should You Choose?


Choose benchtop if you need:

Lab R&D, high-precision color grading, standard sample database establishment, strict quality control for cosmetics, plastics, textiles and food.


Choose portable if you need:

On-site rapid detection, production line mobile sampling, outdoor and on-location color measurement.


The main instruments used to detect color are spectrophotometers and colorimeters (including photoelectric integrating colorimeters). 

Spectrophotometer: High-precision option. It analyzes the full visible light spectrum to measure color accurately. Suitable for complex scenarios like textured surfaces, special effect colors, or batch consistency checks in industries such as paint and coatings. 

Colorimeter (Photoelectric Integrating Colorimeter): Cost-effective and portable. It uses RGB filters to measure tristimulus values directly. Ideal for quick color difference detection in simple applications. Key Selection Tip Choose based on accuracy needs: use a spectrophotometer for high-precision color measurement, and a colorimeter for fast, basic color difference checks.


Colorimetry is a method that applies color intensity to ascertain the chemical concentrations. It is founded on Beer-Lambert Law, whereby the absorbance at a given wavelength is proportional to the concentration. It is popular in environmental and biochemical testing.

Colorimeters is a color measurement device that are used to capture, communicate, and evaluate color. Colorimeters are more affordable, portable, and easier to use, making them a suitable choice for basic color measurement applications, ideal for quick and routine tests.

spectrophotometers offer higher precision and comprehensive data analysis, are better for research, development, and when dealing with complex or highly precise requirements. The biggest difference is in capability and usage. Spectrophotometers are incredibly powerful and can offer more in-depth color measurements than a colorimeter, such as spectral data.

Colorimeters are primarily used for color quality control, while spectrophotometers are used for analysis and formulation. You can choose the appropriate color measurement equipment according to your application needs.


Always a pre-production sample before mass production; Always final Inspection before shipment; 

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