At-Line Cotton Color Measurements by Portable Color Spectrophotometers

As a result of reports of cotton bales that had significant color changes from their initial Uster® High Volume Instrument (HVI™) color measurements, a program was implemented to measure cotton fiber color (Rd, +b) at-line in remote locations (warehouse, mill, etc.).  The measurement of cotton fiber Rd and +b using a small, hand-held color spectrophotometer was shown to be feasible, and the technology was incorporated into the Engineered Fiber Selection^® system MILLNet^™ software.  The portable spectrophotometer measurements were rapid, precise, and accurate.  Field trials were performed on over 400 bales that exhibited color changes, with very good agreement observed between the updated HVI™ and spectrophotometer color results (especially for +b).  The impact of sample preparation and presentation on the color results was investigated.  Protocols and procedures for determining color instrument agreement between multiple color units were established.