Why measure gloss?
Gloss is an aspect of the visual perception of objects that is as important as colour when considering the psychological impact of products on a
Aesthetix®: The Ultimate Surface Finish Solution
Aesthetix®: The Ultimate Surface Finish Solution
- Fully characterise all aspects of appearance perception – Why does this matter?
- Modular solution: Surface Brilliance | Texture | Effect Finish
- Aesthetix® can be used in-laboratory, portable in-field, inline in the production environment or as part of a Cobot / Robot solution
- Measures flat surfaces, curved parts and small surface areas
- Affordable technology starts at £5,500
Why is Aesthetix® the ultimate surface appearance measurement solution?
Multiple aspects of surface appearance contribute to how the quality of a surface is perceived. Consumers subconsciously observe the glossiness, colour, translucency and texture of surfaces when judging the aesthetic appeal of a product.
Product aesthetics is a major factor in driving consumer purchase. Designers and manufacturers invest significant resources in optimizing materials and processes for maximum consumer appeal.
Aesthetix® uses cutting-edge measurement technology* to quantify overall surface appearance with the closest correlation to human perception.
Multiple aspects of appearance can be measured with Aesthetix®
*Measurement technology co-developed with industrial and academic partners.
What is the Rhopoint Aesthetix®?
Aesthetix® is an advanced system that predicts the impact of surface quality on consumer perception using new measurement metrics.
This modular device measures all aspects of surface quality, including glossiness, texture, topography, surface patterns, and visual homogeneity. Adaptable to various workflows, it can measure flat, curved, and small areas with contact or non-contact methods. Aesthetix® can distill complex measurement into easy to understand perception parameters which can be used to set pass/fail tolerances. Enhanced with Rhopoint Appearance Elements software, it supports data sharing, storage, analysis and reporting, making it a comprehensive tool for surface quality assessment.
Aesthetix® Implementation
Research and Development
Use Aesthetix® perception metrics to understand what makes a perfect surface finish in the eyes of the consumer. Set new standards with defined pass/fail criteria.
Deploy Aesthetix® technology to suit your workflow
Quality control
A simple QA interface with job based work flow can be employed for routine surface inspection.
Coming Soon
Automation
Designed for automation, the noncontact Aesthetix® sensor can be integrated into a cobot or robot measurement cell.
Portable inspection
Connected to a tablet, the Aesthetix® can be used as a portable off-site measurement tool.
Scalable data management
Rhopoint Appearance Elements provides a structured, fully indexed database for precise process optimisation and future AI-driven decision-making.
Local
A local database stores results, data and images from a single instrument. Data and images can be output for further analysis.
Network
A network database for multiple instruments and locations.
Coming Soon
Cloud
Host your database on the Rhopoint cloud or use your organisation’s cloud.
Coming Soon
Using Aesthetix® technology
The Aesthetix® instrument vision system comprises of a sensor unit connected via USB 3.0 supporting onsite inspection with a tablet, surface analysis with a laboratory PC and in-line quality control via SPC.
This modular device measures all aspects of surface quality, including glossiness, texture, topography, surface patterns, and visual homogeneity. Adaptable to various workflows, it can measure flat, curved, and small areas with contact or non-contact methods.
Measures flat surfaces, curved parts and small surface areas
Small Surface Areas
Interchangeable measurement adaptors allow for measurement of flat surfaces, small parts, small areas and curved surfaces.
Curved Parts
The instrument is able to accept custom jigs and adaptors for more repeatable measurement of small and complex parts.
Gels and Liquids
For non-contact measurement of delicate surfaces, liquid coatings, gels, creams and pastes, Aesthetix® can be used with a height-adjustable stand.
Cobot
High-throughput sample analysis can be achieved with Aesthetix® integrated into a laboratory cobot system.
In-Line
The Aesthetix® can be integrated into a production environment as a non-contact in-line sensor.
Rhopoint Appearance Elements
Rhopoint Appearance Elements software is at the heart of the Aesthetix® instrument vision system, capturing images for analysis with cutting-edge algorithms. Measurement images, graphs, and topographical surface maps illustrate the appearance qualities of the surface. Numeric results and images are stored in a local, network or cloud database, ensuring secure, scalable data management.
Surface Brillance Module
Gloss
Visual Gloss
Haze
Sharpness
Waviness
Luminance
Polishing Defects
Colour
Surface Brilliance Module
A combination of perception metrics that comprehensively describe the reflectivity and visual quality of high-quality, high-gloss surfaces.
Gloss
Visual Gloss
Haze
Sharpness
Waviness
Luminance
Polishing Defects
Colour
Gloss
Set around the industry standard of 60 degrees, Aesthetix® gives gloss values complying to international standards with camera images to fully describe surface reflectivity.
Visual Gloss
60 degree gloss values often conflict with perception. For example, black materials always appear glossier than white materials with the same gloss value. Aesthetix® NEW visual gloss scale (pGU) aligns with real surface perception.
84.2 VGU black and 61.2 VGU with Aesthetix
Haze
Haze refers to a cloudy or milky appearance on a coated or polished surface. Aesthetix® provides ASTM E430 compatible values and new perception based metrics which predict appearance in different viewing conditions (indoor vs outdoors).
Sharpness / DOI
A NEW sharpness parameter (SU) gives improved sensitivity for ultra-fine texture on the highest quality surfaces, whilst DOI units are compatible with Rhopoint IQ ASTM E430 measurements.
Waviness
Waviness in surface finishes presents as a wavy texture resembling the peel of an orange.
Aesthetix® offers TAMS Waviness, PCI orange peel scale, and tension values to accurately characterise orange peel for various applications.
Luminance
Aesthetix® displays surface average Y value from the CIE 1931 XYZ scale. This represents how light or dark the surface appears, independent of its hue or saturation.
Polishing Defects
Swirls, holograms and scratches on a surface are identified, toleranced by length and quantified.
Colour
A colour-accurate image of the surface is captured and the average RGB values are reported in the Rhopoint Appearance Elements software.
Texture Module
Cell Amplitude
Cell Size
Reflectivity
Perceived Roughness
Luminance
Gloss
Colour
Texture Module
Materials with surface texture such as automotive interior plastics, leather and powder coatings need to have uniformity of appearance and pattern to have maximum visual appeal. The Rhopoint Aesthetix® analyses surface texture to help manufacturers create consistent products with optimum visual appearance and tactile qualities.
Cell Amplitude
Cell Size
Reflectivity
Perceived Roughness
Luminance
Gloss
Colour
Ca = 90μm
Ca = 40μm
Cell Amplitude
This is the average amplitude of all cells identified within the texture of a material.
This parameter is used to understand the depth of the surface texture which directly influences visual and tactile perception.
-
Texture and Smoothness
Texture and Smoothness
Larger cell amplitude often results in a coarser or more textured surface, which can be desirable in certain types of leather goods such as jackets or rustic bags. Conversely, smaller cell amplitude typically leads to a smoother surface, preferred for high-end fashion items like dress shoes or luxury handbags.
-
Durability and Flexibility
Durability and Flexibility
The arrangement and density of the cells affect the leather’s mechanical properties such as flexibility and durability. Leather with tightly packed, smaller cells tends to be more durable and resistant to wear and tear, which affects its longevity and visual appearance over time.
-
Colour and Dye Absorption
Colour and Dye Absorption
The cell structure influences how the leather absorbs and retains dyes. Leathers with a more open cell structure can absorb dyes more readily, leading to rich and deep coloration. This quality makes them appealing for vibrant and colourful leather products.
-
Finish and Sheen
Finish and Sheen
The cell amplitude can also affect the finish of the leather. A more uniform cell structure can enhance the sheen and create a more elegant finish, while a varied cell structure can give the leather a rugged, matte finish.
Cell Size
Quantifying cell size and distribution helps in evaluating the uniformity, coarseness and overall appearance of the surface, essential for quality control and ensuring consistency in product manufacturing.
-
Texture and Smoothness
Texture and Smoothness
Smaller cells create a finer, smoother texture, while larger cells give a coarser appearance, affecting the tactile quality.
-
Flexibility and Softness
Durability and Flexibility
Leather with smaller cells is generally softer and more flexible, ideal for luxury items. In contrast, larger cells enhance stiffness, suitable for products needing structural durability.
-
Colour and Dye Absorption
Colour and Dye Uptake
Smaller cells allow for uniform colour due to consistent dye absorption, whereas larger cells can lead to a mottled effect, which may be desirable depending on the product's intended aesthetic.
Porosity and Breath-ability: Smaller cells result in lower porosity and breathability, affecting comfort in wearables. Larger cells improve breath-ability, enhancing comfort for the user.
Cs = 3.4mm2
Cells have a larger surface area and the material appears smoother
Cs = 0.7mm2
Cells have a smaller surface area and the material appears more textured and dense
The surface reflectivity is low, meaning that the valleys appear shallow
The surface reflectivity is high, meaning that the valleys appear deeper
Reflectivity
Rhopoint Aesthetix® measures overall surface reflectivity and the contrast between the hills and valleys of the pattern. The degree of reflectivity in leather can affect how it looks under different lighting conditions.
-
Contrast Between Cell Hills and Valleys
Contrast Between Cell Hills and Valleys
The texture of leather is largely defined by the natural grain pattern, which includes variations in the cell hills and valleys. High contrast between these areas can create a more pronounced texture, making the leather appear more rugged or luxurious, depending on the context and treatment of the leather. This contrast is particularly noticeable in leathers where the grain has been preserved during the tanning and finishing processes.
Perceived Roughness
The standard deviation of amplitude for all measured pixels in the 15x15mm field of measurement.
Smoother leathers surfaces may show scratches more prominently and require more careful maintenance to retain their elegant look.
Rougher surfaces often mask minor damage and require less meticulous care.
Luminance
Aesthetix® displays surface average Y value from the CIE 1931 XYZ scale. This represents how light or dark the surface appears, independent of its hue or saturation.
Gloss
Set around the industry standard of 60 degrees, Aesthetix® gives gloss values complying to international standards with camera images to fully describe surface reflectivity.
Colour
A colour-accurate image of the surface is captured and the average RGB values are reported in the Rhopoint Appearance Elements software.
Effect Finish Module
Coarseness
Colour
Density
Intensity
Luminance
Waviness
Haze
Gloss
Effect Finish Module
Coatings with effect pigments exhibit sparkle and coarseness. Sparkle refers to a visual texture observed when mirror-like elements within a surface reflects light.
Coarseness
Colour
Density
Intensity
Luminance
Waviness
Haze
Gloss
Coarseness
Coarseness describes the nonuniform grainy appearance of a surface when viewed in diffuse lighting conditions. Coarseness tends to increase with pigment loading.
Colour
These values show the average RGB colour of the visible sparkles in the field of measurement.
Density
Sparkle density is a measure of the concentration of visible sparkle points on a surface when viewed under directional lighting conditions.
Visibility
The Aesthetix® reports sparkle visibility; an average intensity value for any sparkling elements which have been identified as visible in the material.
Luminance
Aesthetix® displays surface average Y value from the CIE 1931 XYZ scale. This represents how light or dark the surface appears, independent of its hue or saturation.
Waviness
Waviness in surface finishes presents as a wavy texture resembling the peel of an orange.
Aesthetix® offers TAMS Waviness, PCI orange peel scale, and tension values to accurately characterise orange peel for various applications.
Haze
Haze refers to a cloudy or milky appearance on a coated or polished surface. Aesthetix® provides ASTM E430 compatible values and new perception based metrics which predict appearance in different viewing conditions (indoor vs outdoors).
Gloss
Set around the industry standard of 60 degrees, Aesthetix® gives gloss values complying to international standards with camera images to fully describe surface reflectivity.
Downloads
Why use Aesthetix?
Match what the eye sees
Create the perfect surface finish by measuring all the parameters that affect visual appearance and match what your eye sees.
Aesthetix Vision Sensor
A dual camera sensor with innovative lighting captures HDR surface and gloss images with exceptional resolution lower than the human eye.
Aesthetix Vision Engine
The Rhopoint Appearance Element software uses perception algorithms to calculate parameters that predict the human visual response to important surface characteristics.
Compares standards against visual judgement
Uniquely, the Rhopoint Appearance Element software allows technical control based on ISO or ASTM standard procedures and at the same time, checks for visual judgment.
Answers to common questions about our instruments and measurements
What glossmeter do I need?
Identify the surface that you wish to measure. Is it a flat surface? If so, it can be measured with a traditonal glossmeter. Curved surfaces
What is RSpec?
RSpec is the peak reflectance measured over a very narrow angular band in the specular direction (+/-) 0.0991º. RSpec is very sensitive to any texture
