Color Matching Across Dissimilar Polymers Using CIEDE2000 Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Molded pieces made from different materials exhibit color differences even when colored to match, leading to poor design due to material-induced metamerism, which conventional methods fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A molded piece set with colored pieces having a CIEDE2000 color difference and metamerism index of 1.0 or lower, achieved through specific polymer and additive combinations, and a computer color matching system that adjusts colorant ratios to ensure color matching across different materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If molded pieces are colored using conventional methods, then the coloring process is simple, but the color matching between different materials is poor and metamerism occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of color specification by introducing CIEDE2000 color difference and metamerism index as control parameters. Instead of using conventional simple color matching, the system specifies target colors using multiple parameters including CIE L*a*b* values and spectral reflectance data, enabling precise control of color appearance across different materials and lighting conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional visual or simple instrumental color matching with a computer-based color matching system. The controller calculates optimal colorant ratios using spectral reflectance data and CIEDE2000 algorithms, substituting manual or empirical methods with automated computational colorimetry to achieve precise color matching
2Adaptability or versatility
If different materials are used for molded pieces, then the functional characteristics are improved, but the color uniformity and design quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by allowing different materials to be used in different regions or components based on functional requirements, while simultaneously applying color matching treatments specific to each material type. The system calculates material-specific colorant ratios to achieve uniform appearance across diverse materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention treats the colored molded pieces as composite systems combining base materials with specific colorant formulations. By creating material-colorant composites tailored to each base material's optical properties, the system achieves both functional diversity and visual uniformity
3Productivity
If visual color matching is performed without considering metamerism, then the matching process is faster, but the design quality under different lighting conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by measuring and storing the spectral reflectance characteristics of each material before color matching. The system pre-calculates the colorant ratios needed to achieve target colors while accounting for metamerism, so that when production occurs, the matching can be executed efficiently without compromising accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A molded piece set including two or more colored molded pieces having different compositions. One of the colored molded pieces and at least another of the colored molded pieces have a CIEDE2000 color difference of 1.0 or lower and a metamerism index of 1.0 or lower. Also disclosed is a computer color matching system, a database including color data sets corresponding to two or more respective colored molded pieces having different compositions and a method for producing the molded piece set.