Barbieri Spectro LFP S3 User manual

Operating
Manual
Spectro LFP S3
RT and Tex
automatic
reflection and transmission spectrophotometer
Edition E5

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction...............................................................................................4
1.1 What you can do with this instrument .................................................5
1.2 Components of the Spectro LFP RT instrument .................................6
1.3 Components of the Spectro LFP Tex instrument ................................6
1.4 Optional components: .........................................................................7
Chapter 2: Installation.................................................................................................8
2.1 Installing the USB driver software.......................................................8
2.1.1 Installing on a Mac computer under OS X ..................................8
2.1.2 Installing on a PC with Microsoft Windows XP or newer.............9
2.2 Installing the hardware......................................................................10
2.3 Product registration...........................................................................11
Chapter 3: Putting into operation..............................................................................12
3.1 Measuring reective samples............................................................13
3.2 Measuring transmissive samples......................................................15
3.3 Measuring special materials..............................................................16
3.3.1 Measuring heavy reective materials........................................16
3.3.2 Measuring thick transparent materials ......................................17
3.3.3 Measuring special transparent materials ..................................17
Chapter 4: Using the instrument...............................................................................18
4.1 Calibrating the instrument .................................................................18
4.2 The auto-position feature ..................................................................21
4.3 Measuring modes..............................................................................21
4.4 Changing the measuring aperture.....................................................22
4.5 Media thickness ................................................................................23
4.6 UV cut lter and Polarization lter.....................................................24
4.7 Spectro LFP with Barbieri Gateway software....................................25
4.8 Spectro LFP with other color management software ........................25
Chapter 5: Instrument Maintenance .........................................................................26
5.1 Changing white calibration standard.................................................26
The validity of the reference white .....................................................26
5.2 Changing a measuring lamp .............................................................27
When replacement is needed ............................................................27
5.3 Packing the Spectro LFP for transport..............................................28
Specications ...........................................................................................................29

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
Chapter 1: Introduction
May we congratulate you on your choice!
We from BARBIERI electronic are proud of presenting to you the spec-
trophotometer Spectro LFP. This instrument features most precise
optics,state-of-the-artelectronicsand software.Itis especiallycreated
for use in color management for the digital digital imaging market.
Maywesuggestyoureadthe operatingmanual firstforfullyenjoyingthe
capabilities of this instrument; thus you will be able to get familiar with
its functions step by step. As always, BARBIERI electronic supports you
with a one year warranty through its service organisation. Please get in
touch with us in case of need. May we also thank you for the confidence
you have put in us by purchasing this instrument.
Siegfried Barbieri
Company founder

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
1.1 What you can do with this instrument
Most precise color measurement
Spectro LFP enables you to exactly determine the colors of both trans-
mission and reflection copy. Thanks to a highly sophisticated diffrac-
tion grating and state-of-the-art electronics using best components
this revolutionary spectrophotometer warrants utmost precision in
determining color values, as required today for numerous applications.
Most different materials
The following materials printed on large format inkjet-printers can
be measured automatically: papers, vinyl, textiles, cardboards, plastic
plates, gypsum plates, wood, glass, stone and ceramics plates.
For LFP market
Individual ICC profiles for large format output equipment (printers) can
becreatedbased onmeasuringvaluesof SpectroLFP. Theseprofilesare
used by color management applications (RIP, Adobe Photoshop etc.) for
exactly matching the colors of original and copy. Hence an instrument
like the Spectro LFP is indispensable for utmost true color rendition of
scanned-in and elaborated film or paper originals.
Spectro LFP
RT
Spectro LFP
Tex
Reflective measurements X X
Transmissive measurements X
2mm measuring aperture X
6mm measuring aperture X
8mm measuring aperture X X
Up to 2mm thick media X X
Up to 20mm thick media X

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
1.2 Components of the Spectro LFP RT instrument
The Spectro LFP RT comes with the following components:
• Spectrophotometer with xy-table
• Guide to be xed at the right side of the instrument to help support
samples
• Reection sample holder (code: C200A52)
• Transmission sample holder (code: C200A54 Model 3)
• USB connecting cable for Mac and PC
• CD with USB driver and Gateway measuring software for Mac OSX
and Windows
• power supply adapter
• this operating manual
• package (keep it for possible transports)
1.3 Components of the Spectro LFP Tex instrument
The Spectro LFP Tex comes with the following components:
• Spectrophotometer with xy-table
• Guide to be xed at the right side of the instrument to help support
samples
• Reection sample holder (code: C200A52)
• Set of 3 textile sample holder (code: C200A50-S2)
• USB connecting cable for Mac and PC
• CD with USB driver and Gateway measuring software for Mac OSX
and Windows
• power supply adapter
• this operating manual
• package (keep it for possible transports)

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
1.4 Optional components:
• UV cut lter for reection (Code: C050F00-2)
To be used when measuring samples with
optical brighteners.
• Polarization lter for reection (Code: C050F10-1)
To be used when measuring samples with
shiny surface.
• Set of 3 sample holders for special materials (code: C200A50-S1)
consisting of:
1. Reection sample holder for extra heavy
reflective materials (code: C200A50)
2. Transmission sample holder for thick
transparent materials (code: C200A53
Model 2)
3. Additional transmission sample holder
for transparent materials.
(code: C200A54 Model 3)
• Electrostatic sample holder for reective thin materials and textiles
(Code: C200C61)
• Upgrade from Spectro LFP Tex to RT (software activation) (Code:
C200S01)

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
Chapter 2: Installation
2.1 Installing the USB driver software
If you use the USB connection, you need to install the USB driver on
your computer before connecting the instrument to the computer.
2.1.1 Installing on a Mac computer under OS X
Switch off the Spectro LFP.
Insert the supplied CD-Rom into your computer, run the "Barbieri
Gateway software installer" or the "USB Driver Installer program" on
the CD and follow the instructions.
Check if driver is correctly installed
• Switch on instrument
• Open “System Information” (About this Mac/ More info...)
• Show the “System Report” and check “Hardware/ USB”. The
instrument “Spectro LFP” must be listed

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
2.1.2 Installing on a PC with Microsoft Windows XP or newer
There are two drivers to be installed for the connection between your
computer and Spectro LFP:
A. High speed USB to serial converter
B. USB virtual serial port driver
Switch off the Spectro LFP.
Insert the supplied CD-Rom into your computer, run the "Barbieri
Gateway software installer" or the "USB Driver Setup program" on the
CD and follow the instructions.
The installation procedures are guided automatically by an installation
wizard.
Check if driver is correctly installed
• Switch on instrument
• Open “Control Panel”, “System”
• Select “Hardware” and click “Device Manager”.
• Look into “Ports” and “Universal Serial Bus controllers”.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
2.2 Installing the hardware
Installing the connecting cables:
• The power supply for the spectrophotometer is connected to the rear
side of the instrument
• When connecting the instrument to an Apple computer, use the USB
cable connection
• When connecting to a Windows PC, you have the choice between serial
or USB connection. Please connect only ONE cable to the computer.
from left to right:
on/off switch, power connector, serial port, USB port

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
2.3 Product registration
It is recommended to register your instrument with Barbieri electronic
in order to get access to privileged information like access to download
area, product information/ firmware updates etc.
Registration can be done through the Barbieri Gateway measuring
software or manually by registering on the Barbieri web site:
www.barbierielectronic.com

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
Chapter 3: Putting into operation
The instrument is switched on in the following sequence:
• Switch on your computer
• Switch on Spectro LFP (The switch is situated on the back side of the
instrument)
The power LED on the back side of Spectro LFP near the switch will light.
The instrument performs the following movements:
• the measuring head goes in its up position
• the xy-table moves to the right side near the measuring head and
moves then to the left side.
The instrument is now ready for operation and you can now start the
measuring software on your computer.
Insert the sample holder as follows:
- unscrew the holding mechanism
- insert holder until it fits correctly
- screw tight holding mechanism
A

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
3.1 Measuring reflective samples
Reflective materials must be measured using the supplied reflection
sample holder.
This sample holder is made of a selected white material with the fol-
lowing characteristics:
• no whitener
• L* value of approx. 97
• C* value < 2
Measurements made with this sample holder are also named "white
backing measurements" as recommended by the ICC (International
Color Consortium) for the creation of ICC profiles.
If "black backing measurements" are requested, please x a dark sheet
(density > 1.5) on this sample holder.
This sample holder can be used for samples up to
150 g of weight. For heavier samples, please use
the optional sample holder for heavy materials.
See Chapter 3.3.1.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
The sample to be measured must be fixed inside the indicated corner
marks using a tape:

When fixing the sample, make sure the target is
printed in a straight position.
This may be important particularly with textiles or
similar materials.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
3.2 Measuring transmissive samples
Transmissive materials must be measured using the supplied trans-
mission sample holder model 3.
For measuring insert the sample between the two transparent sheets
of the sample holder and position inside the corner marks.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
3.3 Measuring special materials
For measuring special reflective or transmissive materials there is a
set of 3 special sample holders available. (See page 6)
3.3.1 Measuring heavy reflective materials
When measuring heavy reflective materials, the optional sample holder
for heavy materials must be used.
It consists of a metallic holder
with 2 magnets which are used to
fix the sample. The anti-slip mat
helps keep target from moving
during measuring.
This sample holder can be used
for samples up to 3 kg of weight.
Fix the side guide and the sample
holder on your instrument.
The target sample must be fixed
with the two magnets and pushed
towards the upper left corner of
the sample holder.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
3.3.2 Measuring thick transparent materials
Whenmeasuring thick transparentmaterials likeglassorplasticplates
use the sample holder Model 2. The recommended media thickness is
up to 5mm. The thicker the material is, the larger must the patches be.
For material of 5mm thickness the recommended patch size is 10mm.
The sample is fixed to the sample holder using a tape.
3.3.3 Measuring special transparent materials
When you measure transparent materials like textiles which you like to
measure in transmissive mode use the sample holder model 3.
For measuring insert the sample between the two transparent sheets
of the sample holder and position inside the corner marks.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
Chapter 4: Using the instrument
4.1 Calibrating the instrument
The instrument is capable of self-calibration.
Reflection
Reflection calibration is done by means of its internal white calibration
standard placed under the measuring head.
Note: The validity of this reference white is 24 months from the pro-
duction date. See the serial no.on the reference white . The first four
characters indicate the year and the month of production. For example a
calibration strip with a serial number A601021indicates: Year: A6= 2006,
Month: 01= January.This reference white is valid until January, 2008.
Theinstrumentautomaticallycalibratesitself beforestartingmeasure-
ments.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
Transmission
Transmission calibration is done automatically on the position of the
upper left corner of the target area.
In transmission, you have the option to choose between two calibration
modes:
• relative (default) or
• absolute
Relative white calibration
Nearly all linearization and proling targets require to calibrate against
the white of the material to be measured, assuming this as the refer-
ence white with a value of L*=100 a*=0 b*=0.
This is in particular necessary for the creation of ICC profiles for non
completely transparent materials (like Kodak Duratrans etc.). In this
case, the calibration area is covered by the white part of the material
and the instrument automatically calibrates to that white.

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Spectro LFP RT - Operating Manual
Absolute white calibration
The absolute white calibration method is used to determine the correct
L* a* b* values of the target including its white point. As the L* value
can be as low as 50 or lower for diffuse materials, this method is not
recommended for linearization and color management applications as
it will not result in accurate calculation of ICC profiles.
Cut off the reference area of the
target to allow the instrument to
calibrate to absolute white.