Glossmeters are instruments used in the measurement of gloss on the surface of a given product. In order to achieve the needed measurement, a ray of light projected from the glossmeter is focused on the product surface at a given angle and at a particular intensity.

Briefly, gloss is the property of any surface to project or create a lustrous or shiny appearance. The level of gloss present in an object is what a glossmeter seeks to present. In general, if more direct glossmeter light is focused on an object, gloss impression is increased.

The question on why there is a need to measure gloss comes to mind. For this, it is best to understand that just like colors, gloss is highly visual and is an important variable when trying to determine how a given product creates an impact on consumers on the psychological level. Glossmeters, in short, are indispensable tools for many manufacturers especially when trying to gain customer approval. To gain this, companies draft a variety of plans so their products will carry that unique appeal, and the use of gloss is a most common technique.

In many cases, however, gloss impression is imperfect since several factors come in during the process, often adversely affecting the end result. For instance, the coating used may not be equal both in amount and in quality. Consequently, this will reflect on the gloss output, with the product appearing as largely different from earlier models. Unless clarified, many customers will often spot the difference and conclude that quality control has been remised in its duties. In worst case scenarios, product parts may even come off due to poor adhesion resulting from uneven surface coating.

Glossmeters seek to prevent such a situation from taking place. They serve as effective monitoring devices of various industries particularly those belonging to the food, printing, electronic, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Viscometers

Viscometers are ideal testing to viscosity of liquids in the manufacturing process. Products such as the Krebs Viscometer from Rhopoint are at the cutting edge of this technology. View the bullets points below on the product.

• Rotational Viscometer based on the traditional Stormer Krebs method
• Complies to ASTM D562
• Used to determine the viscosity of paints, inks and coatings
• Offset T shaped paddle rotating at 200rpm provides constant shear rate to the sample under test
• Direct measurement of torque required to keep paddle rotating at constant speed
• High stability motor speed control ensures accuracy and repeatability during each test
• Fully automated operation
• Paddle automatically lowers into sample to correct height for each test
• When test has completed paddle automatically raises to drain off
• Integrated temperature probe accurately measures and records sample temperature for each test as detailed in ASTM D562
• High contrast colour screen simultaneously displays measurement results in KU (Krebs Units), cP (centipoise), and g (grams), including sample temperature if selected
• Real time graphing allows monitoring of viscosity during measurement
• Allowing detection of any changes in sample behaviour