A novel methodology for the evaluation of distinctness of image of glossy surfaces

There is a strong industrial requirement for the characterization of special surface aspects that are responsible for the appearance of final products. Quantitative values for the distinctness of image (DOI), gloss/haze and perceptual attributes of surface structures are to be found. Enhanced attractiveness due to appropriate quality control of perceptual attributes during manufacture is required subsequently. Human eye-apparatus notices aberration of edge-sharpness of surface reflected objects very accurately. For that reason measuring techniques are required which enable precise determination of image detail reproduction. In this paper the Intensity Profile Analysis (IPA), a novel methodology for the characterization of surface DOI, is presented. IPA is related to modulation transfer analysis methodologies and enables to measure fine detail reproduction of glossy surfaces with good correlation to standard DOI measurement techniques, while featuring enhanced preciseness for surfaces with just slightly variant distinctness of image. IPA is a contactless technique and therefore applicable for uncured or hot surfaces. Due to its conception IPA results are very intuitive concerning visual observation. In this paper IPA-DOI values of coil-coated car steel surfaces are presented in order to demonstrate the principles. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.