MICRO SERVICES GROUP, INC

TEXTILE COLOR RELATED SOFTWARE

Human Color Vision Testing

PRODUCT OVERVIEW: Micro Services Group has several sets of human color vision testing methods available. These range from simple color vision screening tests to very comprehensive tests for color shading ability. The tests are listed below in increasing order of sophistication and diagnostic capability. We can serve as an independent way to evaluate the color discrimination abilities of your employees. Some employees are better suited for jobs requiring visual color discrimination ability than others. Color vision testing can act as a GUIDE to help preselect new employees for jobs requiring color discrimination.

PSEUDO-ISOCHROMATIC PLATE TEST: This is a set of 18 color confusion plates with numbers displayed on them. They have been approved by the Inter-Society Color Council Subcommittee on problem 11: Color Blindness Studies. This is a screening test for red-green dichromatism which is the most common type of color blindness. This is a very basic test and SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EVERYONE WHO DEALS WITH COLOR AS AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. Incorrect response on four or less plates is an indication of normal color vision. Incorrect response on five or more plates is an indication of defective red-green vision. All color tests MUST be given under proper lighting. Please see suggestions below for lighting for color testing. We can give and evaluate this test for approximately $25 for each person plus expenses.

FARNSWORTH-MUNSELL 100 HUE TEST: The FM100 color test is a more comprehensive color discrimination test and is required by some Textile customers for all shaders. This test consists of four sets colored "caps". There is total of 85 caps in the test. Each set has an anchor cap permanently mounted on each end and the test subject has to align the remaining caps properly between these two. Scoring is fairly involved and Micro Services Group has a computer scoring program that is for sale. We use this program in our testing and will report test results for you using it. All color tests MUST be given under proper lighting. Please see suggestions below for lighting for color testing. We can give and evaluate this test for approximately $45 for each person plus expenses.

ISCC COLOR APTITUDE TEST: The Inter-Society Color Council Color Aptitude Test is the most comprehensive color discrimination test that we are aware of. It should be used to select people for jobs requiring a high degree of color discrimination ability such as dyers. This test is composed at a fixed set of color chips (randomly arranged) and a dispenser of lose chips. The test subject's task is to find the fixed chip that most closely matches a lose chip (similar to a shade search). Points are awarded for best, second, and third best selections. All color tests MUST be given under proper lighting. Please see suggestions below for lighting for color testing. We can give and evaluate this test for approximately $95 for each person plus expenses.

LIGHTING FOR COLOR TESTING: Lighting for all color testing is extremely important. Tests should be given under CIE illuminant D65 or D75 daylight. A light booth should be used if possible. Do not test under incandescent light or fluorescent lighting that is not specifically designed for shading (high color rendering index). Refer to AATCC or ASTM standards for more specific guidelines.

FM100 SCORING SOFTWARE: Scoring computer program makes it much easier and less error prone to score the FM100 test. This is a small MS DOS based program that can be easily run from a floppy disk or installed on a hard drive. The cost of the software is $150 plus shipping.

Please also see our Instrument Testing and Color Training and consulting services.

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