Off-Axis Haze Tester for Optix Films

Project Summary

Selected 3M window films contain nano-pigment dispersions that block solar radiation, but can cause scattering of light. A level of haze or “milkiness” in automotive and commercial window films has been observed by customers when light strikes pigmented films at certain angles; current measurement methods with on-axis haze meters are unable to quantify the milkiness in a way that can be correlated to customer feedback. This project aims to create a new device that, through the use of image processing methods, is capable of accurately measuring “milkiness” in film samples with incident light directed at varying angles, to aid in the development
of future pigments and products.

Design Goal

The purpose of the project is to develop a new device that will quantify milkiness within film samples, at varying lighting angles, and provide data that can be compared to customer feedback and used for the development of future products.

Design Constraints

• The device shall be capable of differentiating between film samples with varying levels of milkiness
• The device shall quantify milkiness as a simple haze percentage metric with varying off-axis lighting angles
• The device shall be easily operable by a single person
• The device shall have a maximum of 5 input parameters for the operator to select or enter as an input into the device’s user interface before performing a milkiness measurement
• The device shall take less than 10 minutes total to set up and run an individual haze measurement