Measuring the sparkle (E-journal 1/2010)

The latest version of the ColorCARE^® ToolBox software provides new functionalities to ensure color harmony for effect paints used in car production.

Dr. Thomas Kantimm, head of the BASF Color Science Lab in Münster, with the new BYK-mac spectrophotometer and the color management software ColorCARE ToolBox

The role played by emotions in car-buying decisions is not to be underestimated. That is why carmakers need specially designed, boldly expressive effect paints to make vehicles unique. Sparkling effects are becoming increasingly popular because they allow a car to be seen ‘in a new light’ every time you look at it.

Yet this constantly shifting glitter effect poses problems for the conventional method of color measurement. Color measuring is imperative because the color of car parts produced and painted by suppliers must precisely match the color of the car body. Measurement device manufacturer BYK-Gardner has responded to the glitter-effects challenge by developing the new BYK-mac, a device capable of multi-angle color measurement. It features a built-in camera that photographs the paint in different lighting situations in order to characterize the sparkle. The combined information on the color and sparkle provides the detailed data necessary when effect paints are involved. BASF integrated these new functionalities into the 2.2 version of its proven color management software ColorCARE ToolBox released in late 2009.

“Customers are now able to use the ColorCARE ToolBox in the accustomed manner to measure and analyze effect paints as well,” says Dr. Thomas Kantimm, head of the BASF Color Science Lab in Münster. “The ColorCARE ToolBox is thus now equipped to remain the standard for color measurement and color matching control in automotive OEM coating.”

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