Dow Coating Materials (DCM), a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Co., announced the launch of eXposure Vision™ Viewer, an on-line system that puts exposure station test panels within easy view.

PHILADELPHIA – Dow Coating Materials (DCM), a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Co., announced the launch of eXposure Vision™ Viewer, an on-line system that puts exposure station test panels within easy view. The system builds on DCM’s patented eXposure Vision digital imaging and analysis system. Through a secured login Web site, eXposure Vision Viewer gives Dow customers access to test panel images in high resolution. Updated images are posted bimonthly and archived for future reference and comparison.

“Exterior paint prototypes are developed in the lab, but they are proven on the test fence where they are directly exposed to the great outdoors,” said John Calderaio, Dow Exposure Station Manager. “It’s Mother Nature’s ultimate litmus test. There is no substitute.”

To accommodate a variety of climates, weather patterns and even pollutant levels, Dow operates a global network of exposure stations. In addition to panel readings conducted by trained specialists, test ratings at selected locations are supplemented with eXposure Vision, a high-throughput digital imaging and analysis system developed by Dow experts. eXposure Vision employs an automated, six-camera system coupled with software algorithms to measure and rate key exterior performance characteristics, from cracks to flaking and tint retention to yellowing.

“eXposure Vision is a very valuable complement to human evaluation, and it allows us to rate panels more frequently and more objectively,” said Calderaio. “Additional images and data are particularly helpful to our customers during the early stages of product development. It allows for more efficient screening and puts the most promising formulations on a faster track to market.”

Through eXposure Vision™ Viewer, Dow customers can track eXposure Vision imaging of test panels under evaluation at Dow’s largest exposure station, located in Spring House, PA. Selected test panel images from Dow exposure stations in Glen St. Mary, FL, and Geelong, Australia, are also accessible through eXposure Vision Viewer. In addition to tracking their own test formulations, Dow customers can use eXposure Vision Viewer to monitor the performance of new Dow products. North and south views are updated quarterly, and 45° south views are updated bimonthly.