Two fast diode-array high volume instruments (DA HVIs) to measure cotton quality parameters nondestructively were built. An on-line sample processing rate for routine analysis of maturity and fineness was estimated from an off-line application that utilized 1200 cottons to calibrate each DA HVI. The actual sample calibration rate was: 240 duplicate spectra/hr alternating between two DA HVIs or 30 samples/hr/HVI. The estimated on-line sample processing rate for routine analysis is: 240 samples/hr/HVI using two specimens per sample and duplicate spectra or 4 samples/min/HVI. The calibration protocol emphasized precision over speed to produce the best possible calibration algorithms whereas the routine analysis protocol provides for a practical compromise between speed and precision.