Mettler-Toledo unveiled a new analytical instrument that combines three measuring tasks in one instrument: the Easy VIS spectrophotometer. The new instrument analyzes liquid, translucent samples for optical spectrum, color and water parameters. As a result, operators speed up their processes and improve the quality of the results while saving money, time and space.

The instrument takes over the measuring tasks of up to three instruments: a colorimeter, a spectrophotometer, and special measuring methods for water testing, such as titration. All this power rests in one instrument about the size of a notebook. The results appear on screen in trustworthy accuracy, precision and repeatability — within seconds. 

The company points out that the Easy VIS is designed for the QC lab at small manufacturers in the food and beverage industry, environmental testing labs, or any industry needing quality control and supervising their process. The instrument can be used during multiple steps of the production process such as to inspect raw materials, for quality control of semi-finished and finished products, or for testing the water quality of wastewater. This streamlines the production processes and save money for processors who used to send their samples to an external laboratory.

The visual user interface with workflow guidance allows operators to simply scan and measure samples. Easy VIS operates within a wavelength range of 330 to 1,000 nm. The light source is an easy-to-replace tungsten lamp, which any operator can replace within no time.

The partner device, Easy UV, covers the full UV/Vis spectrum with a wavelength range from 190 to 1,000 nm to cover additional applications in the UV range. The Easy UV also runs with a power-saving and maintenance-free xenon-flash lamp.

The analytic precision works in three fields of expertise. For example, there’s 25 standard-compliant color scales in the visible range that are pre-installed. These include ICUMSA for sugar color, ESBC for beer quality analysis, or OIV CIELab for wine color determination. The results reveal the quality of the product within seconds.

Water analysis shows, for example, the concentration of aluminum, ozone, chlorine or polyphenol. This reveals whether the water is fit for human consumption or can be used in further production. Is the wastewater safe to release? With its numerous built-in water testing methods, the spectrophotometer can quickly provide the answer.

For spectrophotometry, the sample is analyzed at the wavelengths where the sample has its characteristic absorption of light. The Easy VIS measures the transmitted or absorbed light and the reading reveals the sample’s concentration or purity.