Rhopoint Aesthetix®

Machine vision based surface characterisation tool with modular design. Developed with industrial and academic partners to advance the measurement, characterisation and reporting of all surface properties that effect the quality of the finish in the eyes of an observer. The Aesthetix can be used manually, integrated to a cobot or jig and can perform either contact or non- contact measurements.

Modular design for laboratory, portable, and in-line applications
Measures: gloss, haze, texture, sparkle, waviness, DOI, and more
Can measure flat, curved, and small parts
Conforms to ASTM and ISO standards
Non-contact or contact-based measurements
Integrated software: Rhopoint Appearance Elements

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Rhopoint Aesthetix®: Modular Surface Characterisation Solution

The Rhopoint Aesthetix® delivers the most comprehensive quantification of surface appearance—mirroring how surfaces are perceived by the human eye. Whether it’s gloss, colour, texture, or surface structure, Aesthetix® uses cutting-edge, perception-based metrics co-developed with academic and industrial partners to provide a level of insight unmatched by traditional gloss meters.

It allows the operator to objectively define and control visual appearance for all kinds of surfaces helping to optimize quality correct processes and ultimately improve consumer appeal.

Human Perception-Centric Measurement

Aesthetix® uses cutting-edge optics to combine Technical measurement data with perception-based algorithms that replicate how humans perceive surface quality.

Versatile Deployment Configuration

Use Aesthetix® in:

R&D labs for appearance optimization
QA workflows for pass/fail decisions
Automated robot cells for in-line inspection
Portable applications via tablet control

Features

Comprehensive Appearance Analysis

The instrument analyzes:

Gloss & visual gloss (pGU)
Haze (standard & visual indoor/outdoor)
Sharpness/DOI
Sparkle & effect pigment characteristics
Texture, roughness, cell size, and more

Non-Contact & Contact-Based Operation

Aesthetix® supports non-contact inspection for delicate surfaces (e.g. pastes, liquids, polished coatings) and contact methods for standard samples. Interchangeable adaptors enable measurements on curved parts, small surfaces, or flat panels.

Software-Driven Efficiency

The included Rhopoint Appearance Elements software provides:

Topographical surface mapping
Live camera preview for perfect alignment
Customizable QA modes with pass/fail logic
Data storage options: local, network, or cloud

Objective Cross-Cut Adhesion Testing

The Cross-cut Adhesion module digitizes ASTM D3359 and ISO 2409 assessments, replacing subjective scoring with accurate image analysis and quantification.

Automation Ready

Fully compatible with robotic and cobot systems for high-throughput, repeatable measurement in production environments.

Benefits

Quantifies surface appearance in terms that correlate with visual perception
Suitable for high-gloss, matte, textured, or effect-coated surfaces
Reduces subjectivity in visual inspection
Facilitates continuous improvement in production processes
Accelerates material and finish development
Generates automated, traceable QA reports

Customise the Device to your Requirements and your Budget

The Rhopoint Aesthetix® is designed to perform many functions via its innovative 2 camera optical system, but as a customer you can select and pay only for the features that you need. It is of course possible to update the instrument with additional modules when required.

Modules

Gloss Data display in AppearanceElements software

Surface Brilliance

Gloss (60°), Haze, Distinctness of Image, Waviness and the new gloss scale ‘Visual Gloss’ . Visual gloss was developed and validated with the University of Leuven to correct the gloss value accounting for the contrast effect of surface colour that results in improved correlation with the visual assessment of gloss.

Cross-cut Adhesion

A cross-cut adhesion test places tape over a crosshatch cut that’s made through the coating layer. After peeling away the tape, the level of adhesion can be quantified through the amount of material that was removed by the tape.

The Cross-cut adhesion module will provide the classification of the coating according to ASTM D3359 and ISO 2409. This removes the need for visual assessment, leading to faster and more reproducible tests.

Effect Finish

To help customers quantify the characteristics and quality of effect paints, the Effect Finish module will bring many valuable parameters: Coarseness (grain), Sparkle Density, Sparkle Visibility, Waviness, Gloss (60°) and Haze.

Polishing Quality

The Aesthetix® can provide quantification of Polishing Defects (swirls, scratches) through their length and visibility, especially valuable for automotive finishes. This can help characterise the effect and understand the causes to adapt processes and minimise reoccurrence. Gloss (60°), Haze and DOI are also included in this module.

Texture

Quality control of surface textures is a challenge faced in many industries, such as leather and car interiors. The Aesthetix® will quantify Cell Amplitude, Cell Count and Cell Size to provide the customer with parameters to specify and validate visual appearance and tactile qualities. This module also includes Surface Reflectivity and Gloss (60°) and a Perceived Roughness parameter that can be used for quantifying roughness in places where a profilometer may be difficult to use.

Webinars

A series of prerecorded webinars are available that provide more detail of the features and functions of the device.

Beyond Traditional Gloss Measurement - The Aesthetix® approach to Surface Brilliance
Innovations in Surface Measurement
Precision in Texture - Mastering the Rhopoint Aesthetix® Texture Module for Enhanced Product Quality
Surface Perfection Achieved - Exploring the Capabilities of the Rhopoint Aesthetix® for Polishing Quality