One of the advantages of latex paint compared with other decorative materials is that it is rich in color. It can match endless kinds of colors to beautify our environment. But manual color matching is a work that requires experience and is time-consuming. Most factories in my country also use artificial color matching. With the development of production technology, modern color mixing technology appeared. It provides a powerful tool for latex paint color matching. Modern color matching systems [4~7] are generally composed of color matching machines, mixers, Spectrophotometer s, and computers equipped with color matching management software, databases, etc.
1. Toning machine
The tinting machine is a device used to accurately measure the color paste and add it to the base paint. Different color pastes are installed in the color mixing machine for color matching. There are three kinds of coloring machines used: automatic coloring machine, semi-automatic coloring machine and manual coloring machine. Its requirements are high precision, accurate measurement, easy reading and convenient operation. At present, the accuracy of injecting color paste is 1/48, 1/192 and 1/384[8]. Common manufacturers include Fluid Management, DROMONT, HER0, etc.
2. Mixer
The mixer is a device used to mix the color paste and the base paint evenly. There are two kinds of mixers: vibrating mixer and stirring mixer. Its requirement is fast mixing, and it is suitable for mixing in 1~20L packaging barrels.
3. Spectrophotometer
A Spectrophotometer is an instrument that measures color. It passes the data of the measured color through the software
Entered into the computer. The technical parameters of the Spectrophotometer include: measurement angle, spectral range, resolution, illuminator, instrument repeatability, etc. Common brands on the market such as: Datacolor, Gardner of BYK, MINOLTA, X-Rite, MACBETH, TC-PIIG of Beijing Optical Instrument Factory, etc. Table 7-1 is one of several color measuring instruments.
4. Computer
The computer equipped with color matching management software, database, etc. is the key equipment of the modern color matching system. It calculates and compares the data provided by the Spectrophotometer and gives the basic formula.
There are many kinds of modern color-matching systems, such as the integrated color-matching system of formula data method of Finnish Tikkuri-LA Group (TIKKURI-LA), the automatic color-matching system of chroma value calculation method of American ALTAIR International Co., Ltd., etc. .
1. Recipe data method
The formula data method is based on the color paste used, through a large number of experiments, using mathematical statistics and regression analysis methods, to obtain the color matching formula of the color paste used, and store it in the color database. When in use, the Spectrophotometer reads the chromaticity value of the color sample and transmits it to the color management software, and the software will retrieve several formulas in the database according to the set ΔE value. Its characteristics are:
① The database is stable, simple and reliable.
② It is necessary to use general color paste, Color Chart and supporting color management software, etc.
③If it is necessary to add or change a certain color paste, all formulas must be changed.
2. Chromaticity value calculation method
First of all, through the Spectrophotometer , input the color value of the used pigment or color paste and a series of different diluted colors into the computer, and establish a corresponding database. When in use, the chromaticity value of the color sample is read by the Spectrophotometer , and the color formula is calculated by the color matching software. The method is characterized by:
① You can choose pigment or color paste, and the automatic color matching system has strong adaptability.
②If you need to change a certain color paste, you only need to change the corresponding data in the database.
