Use Case | Lab Automation
Fully Automated Color Evaluation of Color Filters with a Robot
Robotic sample exchange, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and real-time CIE colorimetry. We fully automated the process from picking up a filter to measuring its transmission spectrum and plotting it on the CIE xy chromaticity diagram. Chromaticity coordinates, L*a*b* values, and luminous transmittance appear on screen after every measurement, and results are logged and accumulated automatically.
Demo Video
Watch the robot pick up a sample, insert it, measure it, and return it.
The sRGB color swatches shown on screen are for illustration only. The quantitative results are the xy coordinates and numerical values.
Challenge
Color evaluation of materials and films mainly involves measuring transmission spectra with a spectrometer and converting them into color coordinates. The measurement itself is quick, but mounting and removing samples requires manual work, which becomes the bottleneck in inspections with many samples or in repeated measurements under different conditions.
When people exchange samples by hand, variation in how each sample is placed also affects the measured values. If results fluctuate when the same sample is measured again, it is impossible to tell whether the difference comes from the material itself or from the handling.
What We Achieved
We automated the entire flow, from sample exchange and spectroscopic measurement to colorimetric analysis and data logging.
01 Pick up
The robot arm takes a filter from the rack.
02 Insert
It inserts the filter horizontally into the measurement stage.
03 Measure
A UV-Vis spectrometer acquires the transmission spectrum.
04 Analyze and log
CIE XYZ, xy chromaticity, L*a*b*, and sRGB are calculated from the transmittance, then displayed instantly and logged automatically.
05 Return
The filter goes back to its rack, and the system moves on to the next sample.
The system can measure seven types of filters continuously, and it can also be switched to a mode where an operator selects a color and measures a single filter.
Applications
Manufacturing and Quality Control
100% inspection of color and transmittance for films, resins, and glass; lot-to-lot color difference (ΔE) control; and UV-blocking rate inspection for UV-cut products. Periodic sampling inspections that once required a dedicated operator can run unattended, with every result logged automatically for traceability.
Research and Development
Multi-sample screening, such as concentration measurement from solution absorbance and fixed-point measurement of material aging and weathering tests. Data accumulated through automated measurement can feed machine learning and Bayesian optimization, extending toward autonomous experiments that measure, learn, and decide the next conditions.
Interchangeable Configuration
Samples (films, solution cells, powders, parts), instruments (UV-Vis, fluorescence, IR, film thickness gauges, cameras), and evaluation values (chromaticity, concentration, thickness, pass/fail) can all be swapped. We can also automate only sample exchange and logging while keeping your existing instruments.
Summary
In this case, we combined robotic sample exchange, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and real-time CIE colorimetry to automate the full color evaluation workflow. By removing manual sample mounting and removal, the bottleneck step, and reducing measurement fluctuation caused by sample placement, the system improves the efficiency and reproducibility of multi-sample and repeated measurements.
This system is a demonstration at the exhibition and proof-of-concept stage. We will share specific configurations, specifications, and implementation details individually upon inquiry.
Contact Us
If you are considering automating sample exchange, measurement, and data logging, please get in touch.
- Automating sample exchange and logging while using your existing instruments
- Unattended multi-sample screening and 100% inspection
- PoCs that connect automated measurement data to optimization and autonomous experiments