Linshang LS173 vs Visual Color Inspection for Manufacturing QC Malaysia
Linshang LS173 vs Visual Color Inspection for Manufacturing QC Malaysia
Many factories still rely on the human eye to determine whether a product color is acceptable. For quick checks, visual inspection is useful. However, when manufacturers need consistent results across different batches, operators, suppliers or production locations, visual judgement alone can become difficult to standardize.
The Linshang LS173 D/8 Touch Screen Colorimeter provides an alternative approach by converting color into measurable data and allowing QC teams to compare color differences objectively.
So, should manufacturers replace visual inspection with a colorimeter?
Not necessarily.
For many applications, the best quality control process is to understand the strengths of both methods and use them appropriately.
What Is Visual Color Inspection?
Visual inspection is the simplest method of checking product color.
An inspector places a production sample beside an approved reference and evaluates whether the two colors appear similar.
For example:
Master Sample → Visual Comparison → Production Sample
The inspector may then decide:
Accept / Reject
This method is fast and requires little equipment, which explains why it remains common in manufacturing.
However, visual judgement is subjective.
The Main Problem: Different People See Color Differently
Imagine three QC inspectors checking the same plastic component.
Inspector A: “Accept.”
Inspector B: “Slightly darker, but acceptable.”
Inspector C: “Color is different. Reject.”
Who is correct?
Without an objective measurement method, it can be difficult to determine.
Differences between inspectors may become even more significant when the color difference is small.
Lighting Can Change Color Perception
Lighting conditions have a major influence on visual color inspection.
A sample inspected under:
Daylight
Office LED lighting
Factory lighting
Warehouse lighting
Outdoor sunlight
may not appear exactly the same.
Even the surrounding environment can influence human perception.
This means a sample accepted in one location may appear different somewhere else.
Instrumental color measurement helps reduce dependence on uncontrolled viewing conditions.
How Does the Linshang LS173 Help?
The Linshang LS173 uses controlled optical measurement to obtain color data from the sample.
Instead of asking:
“Do these two colors look the same?”
the QC team can ask:
“What is the measured difference between these two samples?”
A typical process is:
Approved Standard → LS173 Measurement → Production Sample → LS173 Measurement → Compare Results
This provides numerical information that can support the final QC decision.
Delta E Makes Color Difference Measurable
One of the useful concepts in instrumental color comparison is Delta E (ΔE).
Delta E represents the measured difference between two colors.
Generally:
Lower ΔE = smaller color difference
Higher ΔE = larger color difference
Manufacturers can establish appropriate tolerances according to their own product and customer requirements.
This transforms color inspection from a purely descriptive process into one that can incorporate measurable acceptance criteria.
Visual Inspection vs Linshang LS173
Inspection FactorVisual InspectionLinshang LS173MethodHuman judgementInstrumental measurementResultSubjectiveNumerical dataOperator influenceHigherReducedLighting influenceHigherControlled measurementDelta E comparisonNoYesBatch comparisonSubjectiveMeasurableSupplier comparisonDifficult to standardizeMore consistentQC documentationLimitedMeasurement data availableOverall appearance evaluationVery usefulMeasurement-focused
Neither method is automatically superior for every inspection task.
They provide different types of information.
When Is Visual Inspection Still Important?
Customers ultimately see products with their eyes.
Visual inspection therefore remains important for evaluating:
Overall appearance
Surface defects
Uneven finishing
Stains
Printing defects
Obvious color abnormalities
Cosmetic appearance
A colorimeter measures a defined area of the sample. It does not automatically evaluate every visual characteristic of the entire product.
Therefore, experienced inspectors still play an important role.
When Does a Colorimeter Become More Important?
Instrumental measurement becomes particularly valuable when a company needs:
Repeatable color inspection
Batch-to-batch comparison
Supplier comparison
Delta E measurement
Numerical QC criteria
Production monitoring
Incoming inspection
Documented color data
The more important color consistency becomes to the product specification, the stronger the case for using instrumental measurement.
Example: Plastic Injection Molding
Suppose a factory manufactures plastic housings every month.
The first batch looks correct.
The second batch also looks acceptable.
Several months later, however, products from different batches are placed beside each other and a noticeable shade difference appears.
With only visual inspection records, determining when the variation occurred may be difficult.
A defined instrumental color measurement procedure can provide more consistent batch comparison over time.
Example: Supplier Comparison
A manufacturer purchases the same colored component from three suppliers.
Supplier A's sample looks correct.
Supplier B's sample appears slightly different.
Supplier C insists its product matches the specification.
Instead of relying entirely on opinions, the QC department can measure suitable samples against the same approved master.
This provides a common reference for supplier evaluation.
Example: Paint and Coating QC
Painted components can show variation because of different paint batches, substrates and production conditions.
Visual inspection remains useful for checking overall finish.
The LS173 can add measurable color comparison.
For a more complete appearance inspection, manufacturers may also need other instruments depending on the requirement, such as a gloss meter or coating thickness gauge.
Example: Printing and Packaging
Brand colors should remain reasonably consistent across repeat production.
If packaging from two different batches looks different, visual inspection may identify the problem.
Instrumental measurement can then provide numerical data to quantify the color difference.
This can be useful when communicating with printers and packaging suppliers.
Using Both Methods Together
For many manufacturers, a practical approach is:
Step 1 – Visual Inspection
Check overall appearance and obvious defects.
Step 2 – Instrumental Measurement
Use the LS173 to measure color and compare against the approved standard.
Step 3 – Review QC Criteria
Determine whether the sample meets established requirements.
Step 4 – Record Results
Keep measurement information when traceability is required.
This combines human judgement with objective measurement.
IQC: Incoming Quality Control
The LS173 can support incoming inspection when colored materials or components are purchased from suppliers.
Incoming samples can be compared with the approved master before materials are released to production.
This may help prevent an incorrect color batch from entering the manufacturing process.
IPQC: In-Process Quality Control
During production, samples can be measured periodically.
For example:
First Sample → Measurement
Mid-Batch Sample → Measurement
Final Sample → Measurement
If color begins to drift, the production team can investigate earlier rather than discovering the problem after the entire batch is completed.
OQC: Outgoing Quality Control
Finished products can also be checked before delivery.
For products where color is an important customer requirement, combining visual inspection and instrumental measurement can provide a stronger final QC process.
Is the Linshang LS173 Worth Considering?
The LS173 may be worth considering if your company frequently experiences situations such as:
“Customer says the color is different.”
“Supplier says there is no difference.”
“QC says reject, but production says accept.”
“Last month's batch doesn't match this month's batch.”
“We need a numerical way to check color.”
These are exactly the types of situations where objective color measurement can add value.
Who Can Use the Linshang LS173?
Potential users include:
QA departments
QC departments
Plastic manufacturers
Paint and coating companies
Printing companies
Packaging manufacturers
Production engineers
Supplier quality engineers
Incoming inspection teams
Product development teams
Moving from “Looks the Same” to Measurable QC
Visual inspection answers:
“Does it look the same?”
Instrumental color measurement helps answer:
“How different is it?”
For modern manufacturing QC, having both pieces of information can provide a more complete understanding of product color quality.
Linshang LS173 Colorimeter Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies industrial testing and measurement instruments for manufacturers, engineering companies and quality control departments throughout Malaysia.
If you are considering moving from purely visual color inspection to objective color measurement and Delta E comparison, contact MTM Precision to discuss whether the Linshang LS173 is suitable for your application.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.
Showroom & Service Centre
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
🌐 Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
📧 Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
📱 WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Looking for a Linshang LS173 D/8 Touch Screen Colorimeter in Malaysia? Contact MTM Precision for quotation, product information and application enquiries.
12 Aug 2026
