Metallic Color Multiangle Spectrophotometer BYK-mac i Series

Advanced Color and Effect Measurement

Appearance can change dramatically depending on lighting, viewing angle, and surface geometry. The BYK-mac i Series provides accurate, repeatable evaluations of:

• Lightness and color flop
• Texture variation
• Sparkle intensity
• Graininess for flake characterization

This enables reliable analysis of effect coatings, metallic finishes, and complex pigment systems.

Color Tolerancing Made Simpler

Every manufacturer uses its own color tolerances, often based on weighted equations that reflect human visual perception. BYK-Gardner supports companies in developing customized color-difference methods and implementing consistent, data-driven color evaluation across their supply chain.

The BYK-mac i makes color tolerancing more intuitive, accurate, and aligned with customer requirements.

Exceptional Technical Performance for Reliable Color and Effect Measurement

The BYK-mac i uses long-life LED illumination with patented control technology for stable, repeatable results over years of operation.

• LED light source with a 10-year warranty
• No lamp replacements required
• Calibration stability with adjustments recommended only every three months
• Consistent performance between 10–40 °C without recalibration
• Excellent inter-instrument agreement for reliable digital standards

This ensures dependable measurements and reduced maintenance for long-term productivity.

Global Color Management

High instrument agreement allows companies to adopt digital color standards instead of relying on physical standards. This eliminates variation between samples, speeds up communication, and ensures consistent appearance quality throughout the global supply chain.

As a result, color control data becomes highly reliable, fostering seamless and efficient communication among all involved parties. Embracing digital standards ensures that the entire supply chain remains precisely on target.

Predicting Lightfastness

The BYK-mac i features sensors capable of detecting fluorescent light within the visible range. Using this data, the instrument generates an Intensity Emission value, which helps:

• Predict lightfastness
• Evaluate fluorescent behavior
• Improve new color development
• Support batch-to-batch consistency

Audio and visual alerts notify the operator when fluorescence is detected, streamlining assessment and reducing uncertainty.

Consistent Measurement at All Times

To ensure stable positioning, the BYK-mac i features trigger pins located on the bottom plate of the instrument.

If these pins fail to make contact with the surface, an error message will be displayed, guaranteeing reproducible results on test panels and even on curved parts (with a radius greater than 500 mm).

Furthermore, the instrument measures and records the surface temperature with each measurement, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the results.

Color and Effect Measurement of Anodized Surfaces

The surface finish of anodized products is shaped by both sandblasting and anodizing processes.

The BYK-mac i Pro integrates three measurement methods to accurately assess process variations:

1. Multi-angle color measurement, which discerns the lightness flop between near-angular and flop angles.
2. Graininess assessment, aimed at characterizing the minute textures produced by the sandblasting process.
3. The new Sparkle index ANO, designed to depict the surface's reflection behavior, ranging from subtle glimmers to more pronounced sparkling flashes.

These comprehensive measurements provide an objective evaluation of anodized surface quality, aiding in quality control and process optimization.