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In the world of manufacturing and quality control, achieving precision in color is critical. This article will guide you through the challenges and technological solutions in the field of color measurement, illustrated by the case study of Benjamin Paints.
Explore how advanced techniques and cutting-edge tools can significantly impact the visual perception of color, delivering results that meet the highest customer expectations.
Color defines everything around us, from our environment to the objects that surround us.
The earliest human paintings, discovered in caves in France and Spain dating back 20,000 to 25,000 years, suggest that humans have been engaged in the practices of painting and coating for thousands of years, accumulating profound knowledge over time.
Yet, this historical background doesn’t imply that the processes related to these materials are straightforward or easily applicable.
We often take for granted how challenging it can be to precisely identify the type of color shade used to paint objects.
To achieve the perfection of colors found in nature and that are pleasing to the eye, a well-conducted study and precise quality control are necessary.
Keep reading as we dive inside this fascinating and colorful field.
What is paint?
Paint is much more than just a color which is applied to a surface; it’s a blend of pigments, solvents, resins, and additives that together create a protective and aesthetic barrier. Let’s explore the key components that make paint not only beautiful but also functional.
In fact, while it is often used to add color to objects, it’s important to remember that paint is frequently applied to provide surfaces with protection against environmental damage.
What are the components of paint?
Modern paints require high-quality raw materials to achieve high-quality results. The main components used to produce paint include:
- Color pigments.
- Solvents that facilitate the application of the pigment on the surface.
- Resins that simplify the drying process.
- Various additives to improve properties such as contamination protection.
What are the stages of paint production?
The manufacturing process may vary from one manufacturer to another, but the basic steps are the same, namely:
- Premixing the pigments with resin, required solvents, and additives to create an initial paste.
- Despite the use of solvents, some pigments are insoluble, so a dispersion step is required. This is done by either grinding the pigments in a mill or by means of a high-speed dispersion tank.
- Depending on the type of paint required, the paste is then diluted to the desired viscosity.
- Packaging the paint. This step varies from one manufacturer to the other, but the most common method used is canning.
What to say about the production of paint colors?
What we’ve talked about so far is how paint is made, but we haven’t mentioned how colors are achieved.
Generally, it all starts in a laboratory, where experts check the quality of the raw materials and create a specific formula for the color paint they want to produce. Then, the same experts carry out quality control throughout the production process to ensure that the formula has not been altered.
One of the most critical steps to guarantee that the desired color is achieved is by carrying out a color matching inspection.
How to get accurate and repeatable colors?
Color matching inspection is performed on the final product to ensure that the paint color matches the standard under different constant lighting conditions. This guarantees that the customer is provided with the desired result for their specific application.
There are various ways to perform color comparison, one of these is through the tristimulus colorimeter.
It is used to non-destructively measure chromatic differences between 2 or more samples according to the Lab and Lch color coordinates.
It has an integrated camera which allows it to be perfectly placed on the measuring area while being clearly viewable on its digital display.
Alternatively, a color matching inspection can be carried out with an expert observer who performs a visual evaluation.
The new color is then compared to the standard color, in both thick and thin applications, so that both the bulk tone and the undertone of the color can be assessed. Obviously, a good result is when there is no difference between the new color and the standard one.
Quality control is not only for manufacturers, it’s also for paint suppliers:
Quality control tests are not only limited to manufacturers. On the contrary, suppliers can also perform them to ensure product compliance for their customers.
Through the example of Benjamin Paints, we see how careful color measurement and the adoption of advanced technologies can significantly enhance quality control for both manufacturers and suppliers.
Their commitment to customer satisfaction serves as a model to follow.
Benjamin Paints – Romania, has chosen our SAMA Tools® color matching cabinet to verify the colors of the paints they sell, even during their collaboration with major manufacturers such as Benjamin Moore from the United States.
Since Benjamin Paints offers both interior products and services, they highly benfit from the compact size of the cabinet. Their dimensions allow for effective use in both the lab and production line, ensuring color accuracy for each customer.
Their meticulous attention to customer satisfaction, supported by the use of cutting-edge technologies from SAMA Tools®, makes Benjamin Paints an exemplary model in the paint industry.
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