Capsules' colour caught

HunterLab, based in Reston, Virginia, US, has developed ColorFlex, a bench-top, colour measurement spectrophotometer. Its design and size allows users to measure the colour of products throughout the production facility. The company claims its combination of convenience, durability and accuracy saves time and boosts productivity by reducing trips back to instruments in a central laboratory. Data can be stored in the machine and printed out on a standard printer. The ColorFiex can be connected to a PC and used with HunterLabs' Universal quality control software.

With a variety of sample-handling accessories and a port plate for wet samples, ColorFlex can measure the colour of many different types of samples. It can be used for quality control of incoming raw materials, verification of finished product colour, or for monitoring colour throughout the production process. 'In the pharmaceutical industry, the colour of tablets is very important in the eyes of the customer, so this product is ideal for producers of otc drugs,' commented Hayden Williams, sales manager Europe for HunterLab.