Many people take color reproduction from digital cameras for granted. These days, our digital consumer cameras have many automatic features built in to provide sharp, color-enhanced images. Unfortunately, these types of automated features are not ideal for applications where exact color reproduction is critical for reproducibility in research, diagnosis and even manufacturing applications.
A great challenge for manufacturers of consumer products is accurate color matching. Manufacturers are often building products that require consistent color through from the beginning of the process to the last unit off the line. Products built months apart require the exact same color as a previous build. So how does a manufacturer ensure the products they produce match the exact color requirements for the customer? How does one guarantee color consistency across all component s of a product over its life cycle?
The solution: A pantone color matching validation system using high resolution, quality cameras that can provide excellent, consistent color reproduction in the images produced by the camera. High resolution images are output to a central computer with custom software which then performs accurate color matching analysis.
These high performance cameras require:
- - Accurate color correction matrices (CCM) for high color accuracy. In some cases, even customized matrices might be required
- - Advanced demosaicing methods for truer color reproduction
- - Multi-point controls for adjusting color parameters
- - Low noise and high dynamic range for detection of color hues and intensities
- - Excellent color/white balance functions ensure colors are represented correctly in captured images
In life science applications, color reproduction needs to be accurate for producing valid research data or diagnosis. Proper camera selection and configuration (eg. White balance) before image capture are important.
At Lumenera we go to great lengths to design and manufacture cameras that meet these requirements and deliver accurate and consistent color reproduction. We ensure consistent imaging results for color critical applications, regardless of factors beyond the manufacturer’s control, including lighting conditions and working environments.
Read our Paint Inspection Case Study for more information on how Lumenera can find the color matching solution for any application.
