High-Speed Machine for Film Processing, Using a Helix-Eliminating Angle Drive System

The Photomec high-speed processing machine processes 35mm film at a rate of 300 ft/min (91 m/min). Considerable care has been taken to ensure that the film is handled as gently as possible. The basic approach of substituting twists on the film for the more conventional helix has been largely achieved by angling all the bottom spools and also by ensuring that the transfer of the film between the various sections of the processor takes place in a true straight line with no side deflection. To maintain the designed film path geometry, great attention has been given to the positional accuracy and rigidity of all film transport spools. Unusual features that have been incorporated, due to the high operational speed, include the provision of a rotary switch in addition to the normal stop and start control pushbuttons to enable the feed-on operator to reduce the film processing speed to 75 ft/min to recover from a “panic” situation should one arise. A warning light on the main control panel comes on under these conditions.

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

1978-10

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J16661