Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters

Product Description


The Elcometer 480 range of handheld glossmeters combine accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility with functionality allowing you to measure Gloss, % Reflectance & Haze with ease.

Using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques, the Elcometer 480 Glossmeters quickly and accurately measure and record gloss measurements on a wide range of materials, including paint, plastic, ceramic or metal.

The Elcometer 480 gloss meter rapid LED technology accurately measures up to 3 gloss angles at the same time at a rate of 10 readings per second. Gloss measurements can be instantly transferred from the glossmeter to PC, iPhone, Android™ or other mobile devices via USB or Bluetooth®.

Using the ElcoMaster® software, professional reports for gloss and other appearance measurements can be quickly generated.

Alternatively gloss meter readings can be combined with other key measurement parameters such as coating thickness, adhesion and oven temperature profile – within the same software package.

Small, robust and ergonomic, the Elcometer 480 glossmeter range of gloss meters have been designed to exceed the demands of industry today.

Features of the Elcometer 480 Glossmeter

  • Small, robust & ergonomic
  • 3 – 10 readings per second
  • Repeatable, reproducible & accurate
  • Multiple angles – 20°, 60°, 85°
  • 40,000 reading memory in up to 2,500 batches
  • Date and time stamped readings
  • USB & Bluetooth® data output
  • PC, iPhone or Android™ compatible
  • Automatic gauge & tile diagnostics
  • Auto calibration tile recognition via RFID (Radio Frequency Identification; patent applied for)
  • 40 user definable limit standards
  • Standard, auto repeat and scan modes
  • Differential mode with pass/fail

The Model Range

The Elcometer 480 Glossmeter is available as either a simple entry level 60° glossmeter or state of the art Single, Dual or Triple angle gloss meter variants.

The Elcometer 480 Glossmeter is available with (Model T) or without (Model B) memory.

The Elcometer 480 Model B gloss meter is a 60° unit, Model T gloss meters are available as single, dual or triple angle variants with %Reflectance and Haze.

.Accuracy & Repeatability

Advanced electronics and a superior optical design combines highly accurate, repeatable and reproducible measurements with industry leading inter-instrument agreement – across its entire 0-2,000GU range.

Range 0-10GU 10-100GU 100-2000GU
Repeatability ±0.1GU ±0.2GU ±0.2%
Reproducibility ±0.2GU ±0.5GU ±0.5%

Calibration and Diagnostics

Every Elcometer 480 Gloss Tile is fitted with an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag which allows automatic identification of the tile’s serial number and calibration data when the tile is attached to the base of the gauge.Additional calibration tiles are available from the range of Elcometer 480 accessories elcometer-480-gloss-meters-calibration-diagnostics

Measurement Speed

The Elcometer 480’s rapid LED technology accurately and repeatably measures up to 3 angles at the same time.

Standard Mode 1+ reading per second, (70+ readings per minute); < 0.3 seconds per angle
Auto Repeat Mode 3 readings per second, (180 readings per minute); ~ 0.1 seconds per angle
Scan Mode 10 readings per second, (600 readings per minute); ~ 0.03 seconds per angle

Display Modes

Fully customisable, scratch and solvent resistant colour LCD allows the user to display:

  • Gloss, % Reflectance or Haze readings
  • Statistics
  • Readings and Differential with pass/fail
  • Trend Graph
  • Analogue Scan Bar
elcometer-480-gloss-meters-triple-angle-readings elcometer-480-gloss-meters-haze-reflectance elcometer-480-gloss-meters-range-readings-stats
Triple angle readings Gloss, Haze & %Reflectance Readings & user
selectable statistics
elcometer-480-gloss-meters-range-differential-pass-fail elcometer-480-gloss-meters-range-run-chart-stats elcometer-480-gloss-meters-range-user-selectable-stats
Readings & differential
– pass / fail
Run chart & statistics Readings & differential
with analogue scan bar

Standard, Auto Repeat & Scan Modes

No two inspections are the same. It is for this reason that the Elcometer 480 is equipped with three measurement modes:

elcometer-480-gloss-meters-range-standard-mode Standard Mode: Press the measure button to take an individual spot measurement.
elcometer-480-gloss-meters-range-auto-repeat-mode Auto Repeat Mode: When the glossmeter is slid over the surface a measurement of all three angles is automatically taken at a user definable rate between 10 – 180 readings per minute. When enabled all the individual readings are stored into memory.
elcometer-480-gloss-meters-range-scan-mode Scan Mode: As the glossmeter slides over the entire surface area the gauge measures all three angles at a continuous rate of 10 readings per second. When stopped, the gauge displays and stores the average, highest and lowest values – ideal for checking a sample’s overall uniformity.

Memory and Batching

Store 40,000 date and timed stamped readings in up to 2,500 user definable alpha-numeric batches. Readings can be transferred to PC, iPhone, Android™ or other mobile devices via USB or Bluetooth® for instant reporting using ElcoMaster® software elcometer-480-gloss-meters-android-apple

Limit Standards and Differential Mode with Pass / Fail

When visual appearance is critical Master Standards are created. These are generated and approved by the customer and then used by manufacturers as part of their quality control inspection regime. As these Master Standards have  been visually approved they often do not have numerical gloss values assigned.

In order to avoid subjectivity between inspectors, the Elcometer 480 can automatically generate and store the nominal (target), highest & lowest acceptable gloss values (Limits) from the Master Standard.

Up to 40 Limits for each customer’s Master Standards can be stored within, and recalled from, the gauge’s ‘Limit Standard’ memory.

When Limit Standards are used in combination with the gauge’s Differential Mode, the Elcometer 480 displays the measurement value together with the difference from the nominal (target) value.

Readings outside the Limit Standard are displayed in red, providing quick Pass/Fail analysis.

Due to the Elcometer 480’s industry leading inter-instrument agreement, once a Master Standard Limit has been created, the gauge can transfer these values to other Elcometer 480 glossmeters, via the ElcoMaster® software’s Library of Limit Standards, at any time.

Information from multiple glossmeters can be combined into a single inspection report within ElcoMaster®, ideal for multiple production and assembly lines.

elcometer-480-gloss-meters-differential-mode-pass-fail

Create instant reports with ElcoMaster®

What you do with the collected data is just as important as taking the readings themselves.

ElcoMaster® is a fast, easy to use software solution for all your data management and quality assurance needs, preparing professional inspection reports at the click of a button.

Data transferred to ElcoMaster® includes;

  • 20° 60° & 85° Gloss Units (GU)
  • Haze Unit (HU)
  • % Reflectance (%)
  • Date & time for each reading
  • Limit Standard values
  • Batch information & statistics
  • Calibration information including date/time, serial number & tile values

Whether you are in the field or on the factory floor, using the ElcoMaster® Mobile App users can;

  • Store live readings directly on to a mobile device and save them into batches
  • View graphs in real-time whilst carrying out the inspection
  • Add notes to individual batch reading
  • Add photographs of the test surface to each individual batch reading at the click of a button
  • Plot individual readings on to a location Map photograph or diagram via the mobile device’s internal GPS
  • Inspection data can be transferred from mobile to PC for further analysis and reporting
  • Generate instant .pdf report for submission

The new ElcoMaster®  is a fast, easy to use software solution for all your reporting requirements

elcometer-480-gloss-meters-limit-standards elcometer-480-gloss-meters-android elcometer-480-gloss-meters-apple
elcometer-480-gloss-meters-elcomaster-text elcometer-480-gloss-meters-android-text elcometer-480-gloss-meters-apple-text

The Elcometer 480 Gloss Meter can be used in accordance with the following Standards:

  • AS/NZS 1580.602.2
  • ASTM C584
  • ASTM C523
  • ASTM D523
  • ASTM D1455
  • ASTM D2457
  • ASTM D4039
  • ASTM D4449
  • ASTM D5767
  • ASTM E430
  • ASTM E2387
  • BS 3900 D5
  • DIN 67530
  • ECCA T2
  • EN 12373-11
  • EN 13523-2
  • ISO 7668
  • ISO 2813
  • ISO 13803
  • ISO 17025
  • JIS K 5600-4-7
  • JIS Z 8741
  • TAPPI T 653 (20°)

Standards not in bold have been superseded but are still recognised in some industries.

 

Specifications

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters – Specifications

Product Features  Model B Model T
Measurement geometries 60° 60°, 20/60° or 20/60/85°*
Measurement units GU GU, HU† & %
Fast, accurate reading rate
Repeatable & reproducible measurements
Easy to use menu structure; in 30+ languages
Tough, impact, waterproof & dust resistant
Scratch & solvent resistant colour display; 2.4” (6cm) TFT
Rotating display: auto, 0°, 180°
Ambient light sensor; with adjustable auto brightness
Data output
USB live readings
USB batch download
Bluetooth®: to PC, iOS or Android™ mobile devices
USB & battery powered
Calibration Certificate
Manual gauge calibration
Auto gauge calibration; via RFID tagging of integrated calibration tile#
On screen statistics – user selectable
Number of readings, Mean (average),  Standard deviation,
Highest reading, Lowest reading, Range
Coefficient of variation,
Nominal value, High Limit value, Low Limit value
Number above high limit, Number below low limit
Measurement modes
Standard Mode
Auto Repeat Mode; programmable 10-180 readings per minute
Scan Mode; 10 readings per second
Differential Mode with Pass/ Fail mode;
Limit Standards; up to 40 programmable standards
Gauge & batch specific standard limits
Gauge memory 40,000 readings in up to 2,500 batches
Alpha-numeric batch names
Fixed batch size mode
Date and time stamp
Gauge auto diagnostics  ■
Display modes; user selectable
Readings; gloss, % reflectance†, haze†  ■
Selected statistics  ■
Live trend graph; last 20 readings
Scan bar
Readings & differential (with pass/fail)
Delete last reading  ■
2 year extended warranty  ■
Model Options
Part Number Description Certificate
J480B-6 Elcometer 480 Model B 60° Glossmeter
J480T-6 Elcometer 480 Model T 60° Glossmeter
J480T-26 Elcometer 480 Model T 20/60° Glossmeter
J480T-268 Elcometer 480 Model T 20/60/85° Glossmeter
Technical Specification
Display information 2.4” (6cm) QVGA colour TFT display, 320 x 240 pixels
Power USB (via PC) or 2 x AA batteries (~50,000 readings)
Measurement Dimensions 20°: 10 x 10mm; 60°: 8 x 16mm; 85°: 4 x 55mm
Measurement Range 20°: 0 – 2,000GU; 60°: 0 – 1,000GU; 85°:0 – 160GU
Repeatability ± 0.1GU (0 – 10GU); ±0.2GU (10 – 100GU); ±0.2%: 100 – 2000GU
Reproducibility ± 0.2GU (0 – 10GU); ±0.5GU (10 – 100GU); ±0.5% 100 – 2000GU
Resolution Gloss: 0.1 GU (0 – 100GU); 1 GU (>100GU)
% Reflectance: 0.01% (0 – 10%); 0.1% (10 – 100%)
Haze: 0.1 HU (0 – 100HU); 1 HU (>100HU)
Operating Temperature -10°C to 50°C; Relative Humidity: 0 – 85%RH
Dimensions (H x W x D) 68 x 155 x 50mm
Weight 534g [including batteries]

Packing List

  • Elcometer 480 Glossmeter
  • integrated calibration tile
  • calibration certificate
  • 2 x AA batteries
  • wrist strap
  • operating instructions
  • plastic carry case
  • ElcoMaster® software (Model T)
  • USB cable (Model T)

 

Data Sheet

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters – Data Sheet

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters Data Sheet

Standards

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters – Standards

The Elcometer 480 Gloss Meter can be used in accordance with the following Standards:

  • AS/NZS 1580.602.2
  • ASTM C584
  • ASTM C523
  • ASTM D523
  • ASTM D1455
  • ASTM D2457
  • ASTM D4039
  • ASTM D4449
  • ASTM D5767
  • ASTM E430
  • ASTM E2387
  • BS 3900 D5
  • DIN 67530
  • ECCA T2
  • EN 12373-11
  • EN 13523-2
  • ISO 7668
  • ISO 2813
  • ISO 13803
  • ISO 17025
  • JIS K 5600-4-7
  • JIS Z 8741
  • TAPPI T 653 (20°)

Standards not in bold have been superseded but are still recognised in some industries.

Accessories

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters – Accessories

Part Number Description Certificate
T48024798-LC Low Gloss Calibration Tile Nominal Value: 22GU at 60°
T48024798-MDC Mid Gloss Calibration Tile Nominal Value: 55GU at 60°
T48024798-H High Gloss Calibration Tile* Nominal Value: 97GU at 60°
T48024798-HC High Gloss Calibration Tile Nominal Value: 97GU at 60°
T48024798-MRC Mirror Gloss Calibration Tile Nominal Value: 1900GU at 20°
T48024798-SH Soft Material Specimen Holder, complete with 3 sample trays
T48025004 Soft Material Sample Trays (x3)
T99923535 Gloss Tile Cleaning Cloth
T99925002 USB Cable

Why Measure Gloss

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters – Why measure Gloss?

Why measure Gloss?

Visual appearance can determine a person’s perception of a product. Perception is subjective. A key measurement parameter used to define and quantify a product’s overall visual quality is gloss. Gloss is measured by directing a constant intensity light beam, at a fixed angle, on to the test surface and then monitoring the amount of reflected light from the same angle. This specular reflectance is measured using a glossmeter. Different surfaces require different reflective angles.

High Gloss Surfaces with a brilliant or highly polished finish reflect images clearly. This distinct reflection is caused by the incident light reflecting on the surface in a specular direction.

Semi & Matt Gloss Surfaces reflect images less distinctly and with reduced intensity. On semi or matt surfaces light not only reflects in a specular direction but also is scattered causing the reflected image to appear diffused.

Choosing the correct angle for gloss measurement

Gloss measurement is based on the amount of light reflected on the surface relative to a polished glass reference standard, measured in Gloss Units (GU). The amount of light that is reflected on the surface is dependent on the angle of incidence and the properties of the surface. Gloss is categorised as either matt, semi or high gloss. In order to determine the most appropriate measurement angle start with a glossmeter set at a 60° angle of incidence.

If the result is between 10 – 70GU, the coating is termed ‘semi-gloss’ and should be measured using the 60° angle. If the result is less than 10GU, the product is ‘low gloss’ and should be measured using the 85° angle and if it is greater than 70GU, the product is known as ‘high gloss’ and should be measured using the 20° angle.

All three angles should be recorded (20, 60 & 85°) when measuring gloss on anodised metals to ensure a complete understanding of the specular reflectance between the coating and the metal substrate.

Gloss Range 60° value Measure with
High Gloss > 70GU 20°
Semi Gloss 10 – 70GU 60°
Low/ Matt < 10GU 85°


% Reflectance (%)

% Reflectance compares the amount of light energy transmitted and received by a glossmeter and expresses the value as a percentage. The shinier a surface is, the closer the value will be to 100%.
Whilst the Gloss Unit (GU) scale is linear, each angle of incidence has a different measurement range; 0 – 2000GU (20°), 0 – 1000GU (60°), 0 – 160GU (85°).
% Reflectance displays the measurement value as a percentage relative to the selected angle of incidence.
For example, a value of 1000GU at 20° would be expressed as 50%20 and 500GU would be expressed as 25%20, but at 60° this would be expressed as 50%60.

Haze (HU)

Haze causes a drop in reflected contrast and causes ‘halos’ to appear around the reflected light sources, dramatically reducing the visual quality. In accordance with ASTM D4039 haze is defined as the numeric difference between the specular reflectance at 60° and 20°.
This is expressed in Haze Units (HU)

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Instruction Manual

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters – Instruction Manual

Elcometer 480 Gloss Meters Instruction Manual