UV Process Supply BETACOLOR S1 User manual

Betacolor S1
Color Reflection Densitometer
Operating Instructions ver. 2b
Introduction
The BETACOLOR S1 Color Reflection Densitometer is
easy-to-use for single and multicolor presswork, color
proofing, and color calibration.
It is virtually maintenance free due to high efficiency LED’s
that provide more than 1,000,000 measurements with 2
AA alkaline batteries. Color channel switching is done
electronically without the need of power consuming
motors or bulky rechargeable battery packs. The AC
charger and internal charging circuits have been
eliminated.
Color density measurements are made simultaneously in
all four color channels each time a sample is measured.
The dominant color is displayed automatically while the
others are available at the touch of a button.
The background density of the paper is auto-matically
zeroed out, helping the pressman maintain optimum
appearance across varying paper stocks.
The retracting sighting aperture and illumination aperture
never touch the wet ink to avoid false subsequent
measurements.

AUTOMATIC mode is the most convenient way to control
density in a busy production environment. MANUAL
mode gives additional control when needed for color
calibration and special applications.
Getting Started
Open the densitometer by sliding the gray release latch
forward, allowing the aperture to spring forward. Tap
either button to turn on the unit if it has powered down.
Select AUTO mode with Bif MAN appears in the display.
Place the sighting arm on the white paper, press the unit
down, and hold it down while zero is automatically set.
When completed, the display will look like this.
2

AUTO
000
AB
Zeroed in AUTO mode
The AUTO legend will be blinking and the arrow can be
pointing to any color.
The background density of the paper is automatically
zeroed out, helping the pressman maintain optimum
appearance across varying paper stocks. Strongly tinted
stocks can be zeroed out manually.
Place the aperture on the solid color target to be
measured. Press the unit down and hold it while the
measurement is taken. The entire process takes less
than one second.
3

AUTO
DENS
098
AB
Yellow target measured in AUTO mode
The display will look similar to this with the arrow pointing
to the dominant color, the density value displayed, and
AUTO and DENS appearing on the right.
Color density measurements are made simultaneously in
all four color channels each time a sample is measured.
The individual color channel density values can be displayed
by stepping through the color channels with button B, the
right hand button. This information can be used to
calculate gray balance, hue error, and grayness.
Function Selection
Automatic mode
This is the most commonly used mode for measuring
color bars with solid density targets. It offers precise
control of press operation and operator convenience.
4

AUTO
000
AB
Zeroed in AUTO mode
1.Tap either button to activate the instrument. If AUTO
DENS does not appear at the right of the display, press
and hold Bfor three seconds with the head raised.
2.Measure the substrate to automatically zero all
channels. Flashing AUTO will display and 0.00 will
appear in the readout.
3.Measure the solid target. DENS will appear, the density
will be displayed and the color indicator will move to the
proper position.
Any target of any color can now be measured. The color
channel pointer will automatically move to the dominant
color. Spot colors will automatically be measured in the
most sensitive channel, a great time saver for the
pressman.
5

AUTO
DENS
098
AB
Yellow target measured in AUTO mode
Manual Mode
Use this mode to measure density and to disable the
automatic zero function.
1.Tap either key to activate the instrument. If MAN
DENS does not appear at the right of the display, press
and hold Bfor three seconds with the head raised.
MAN
DENS
000
AB
Yellow channel zeroed in MANUAL mode
2.Each color channel must be individually zeroed prior to
making density measurements. Press the head down
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while holding Ato zero the color channel marked by the
indicator.
3.Change the color channel by pressing Bwith the head
up. Zero each channel as described above.
4.Place the measuring aperture on the sample and press
the head down. The density of the sample as measured
in the selected color channel will be displayed. The
other color component values of that color may be
displayed by pressing Bafter raising the head.
AUTO
DENS
098
AB
AUTO
DENS
000
AB
MAN
DENS
098
AB
Yellow target measured in MANUAL mode
Instrument Setup
Density Slope Controls - Use these controls to restore
calibration or force the instrument into agreement with
another standard.
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ADJ
1000
AB
Factory slope setting of the yellow channel
1.Put the unit in AUTO mode by pressing Band holding
for three seconds.
2.Measure the solid process color standard. AUTO,
DENS, and the color indicator will appear along with the
measured value.
3.Raise the head and press A and Bsimultaneously. ADJ
will appear and the current slope value will be displayed.
Raise or lower this value directly by pressing Aor B.
4.Measure the sample again. ADJ DENS will appear and
the density value can be changed directly by pressing A
or Bafter raising the head.
8

ADJ
DENS
1.25
AB
Yellow target measured in ADJ DENS mode
5.Measure the next solid color to be adjusted. The
density can be changed by pressing Aor Bas above.
Finish adjusting all four channels as described above.
6.Press Aand Bsimultaneously with the head raised to
exit the ADJ mode.
Serial Port Baud Rate Adjustment - Adjust the baud rate
of the unit to match the requirements of the connected
printer or computer. The serial port can be set to any of
six standard rates between 300 and 9600 baud.
AUTO
ADJ
AB
BAUD ADJ set to 9600
9

10
1.Place unit in AUTO mode by pressing and holding Bfor
three seconds.
2.Press Band quickly press and hold the head down.
2.The currently selected baud rate, (b96)AUTO and ADJ
appear. Press Ato step through the available baud
rates; 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600.
3.Press the head down while holding Bto return to the
operating mode.
Battery Replacement - When the two AA alkaline
batteries need to be replaced, LO BATT will appear on the
display. The unique illumination system and power
conservation features provide more than one million
measurements on a set of batteries. Loosen the screw
on the bottom of the unit and remove the battery cover
plate. Discard the old batteries and install two new ones
in the same positions.
Reset Button - If the unit fails to respond or an unusual
display appears, press the red reset button located on
the bottom of the display. The display will blank and then
display a number. Press the unit down on the white
substrate to zero in AUTO mode or press and hold Bto
switch to MAN mode.
Optional Equipment
QC01 Statistical Analysis Software
Automatic data collection, display, and statistical analysis
is provided by QC01. Running on any Windows system,
measurement data is transferred via the serial port and
displayed on screen. Density values are plotted vertically
against a horizontal tolerance band, visualizing trends and
error conditions. Spot colors and process color modes
are supported.

Data Collection screen of QC01
Mean, standard deviation, and normal distribution plots
are available with one click. Time and date stamped data
and plots can be saved to disk or printed in color. The
network client version supports centralized data
collection.
Statistical analysis screen of QC01
BetaTab Data Collection Software
Eliminate re-keying of data into spreadsheets, calibration
software, or any Windows application with BetaTab.
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Density data is collected via the serial port and dropped
into the active window on screen. Numerous options
allow automatic formatting, file and application selection.
System 1 Press Kit
Complement your new Betacolor S1 densitometer with a
complete set of quality control tools. Everything that you
need to run spot and process color work on one and two
color presses is included in the rugged fitted case.
The Beta Color Proofing Viewer is fitted with a 10x color
corrected lens, a brilliant tungsten halogen lamp, and
color separation filters. Verify register, dot quality,
coverage, and more in every color, including the nearly
invisible yellow. Optional microscopes of 25x to 100x and
a 20x lens satisfy the most demanding quality control
requirements.
Beta Gray Balance Color Bars complete the SYSTEM 1
package. Customized to fit the plate width and ink key
layout of all the popular presses, they simplify control of
the press and eliminate errors in trying to read the live
matter. They are available on film for conventional
12

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platemaking or on disk for imagesetter and CTP workflows.
Contact Beta for all your other quality control tool require-
ments. We stock a wide variety of instruments for
measurement and control of pH, conductivity,
temperature, packing, colorimetry, and much more.
Technical Specifications
Detector........................................................................ GaAsP diode
Illumination Source.................................. LED w/Perma filters
Spectral Response................................... Status T (wide band)
Measuring Aperture.......................3mm (optional 1 or 2mm)
Battery set ...................................................Two AA alkaline cells
Measurements per battery set ..........................>1,000,000
Serial Port ............................ 8 pin RS232, 300 - 9600 baud
Weight .................................................................... 10.4 oz (290 g)
Dimensions........................ 3 x 5.5 x 1.5in (145 x 75 x 40mm)
Warranty
Your densitometer is warranted to be free of manu-
facturing defects for two years from the date of purchase.
Parts and labor are covered for any instrument returned
to our facility during that time period.
Technical Support
Call our toll free number if you have any questions concerning
your new densitometer. We can assist you in solving
most pressroom, proofing, and prepress problems. Ask
about our other quality control products to make your
shop more productive and profitable.
UV Process Supply
1229 W. Cortland St.
Chicago, IL 60614
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.uvprocess.com