EVALUATION OF (Sanitized)'DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT, SPAN ENLARGER-PRINTER-PROCESSOR, MODEL EPP 9-500'

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002100060006-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 19, 2001
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: March 20, 1964
• Content Type: REPORT

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Approved Fo*lease 2001/08/13: CIA-RDP78B0474 02100060006-7
STATINTL
SUBJECT: Evaluation of "Description of Equipment,
SPAN Enlarger-Printer-Processor, Model EPP 9-500".
1. This mechanical photo-optical device as per proposal is to use the
- Bimat process to obtain the finished exploitable transparency regardless
of degree of magnification. The evaluation will cover the system in two modes,
(1) the photosensitive material and (2) the optomechanica.l system.
2. The Bimat process was proposed;therefore the evaluation will focus
upon it as the photosensitive media although comments will be presented on
other potential products later in this ft?xxm x dissertation.
a.. Photosensitive material - ^ Bimat process
(1) Materials -
ate no reproduction type of materials
SO-105, and SO-278 (8430) have been "bimatted", that is the mono-
bath chemistry does not exist. Experimentation has been almost
STATINTL completed for M Special High Definition Aerial Film, Type
SO 243 (equivalent SO 132, 4404). This is O taking film and is not
processed to a gamma, of 1.0 but to higher gammas; therefore/there is
no chemistry available to perform experiments which would give
qxi qualitative values were the film used for reproduction purposes.
(2) Processing Time - The thinner emulsions process to completion
more rapidly than the thicker characterized by the faster Aerial
STATINTL taking films. of E Research Labs postulated that
SO 243
could be rrocessed in 60 seconds and possibly the reproduction type
film in 3C to 60 seconds.
(3) Subsequent treatment - the negative and positive can be
used almost immediately since they are "virtually" dry when separated
after processing. If they are to be stored for any length of time
or retained for archives there is a requirement for subsequent
washing only for a short time. This would also require drying
DECLASS REXIEW b4 N A/DOD
pprove or a ease 1/08/13: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO02100060006-7
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consequently the necessity for more time.
(4) Quality - The negative, Res. Lab., assures
me is very high quality. But the xmgatt x positive formed by the
sion process cannot certain much more than a. transfer of 70%
of the information in the negative.
(5) Roll vs cut film - The SPAN E-P-P is designed to use roll
film. It seems reasonable to believe that it could be designed to
STATINTL use cut film and the -people feel that it a is feasible to do
Bima.t with cut film.
b. Opto-mechanical system
(1) The enlargement constants appear to be satisfactory.
The full c2" film width will be utilized regardless of film being
viewed.
(2) A question arises as to adequacy of exposing light for
slow photo sensitive reproduction type materials with varying magni-
fications; will the 940 type light tables furnish enough exposing
light? It can be expected that a ='ka there will also be ' a
significant reduction in the contrast due to the diffuse light sourcex
of the table itself.
(3)
The xzxt?mgmx continuous roll processing is not at all
acceptable. Out film is mandatory. Too much waste would incur with
the continuous roll film approach.
(4) Regarding usage of the finished print, if .?z it is to be
a working copy and there is volume xH _ Irorsr ~rsaxxxxsffra requirement
for enough near real time (quickie) reproductions then this device
can be of significant service. Conceptually it ?? looks good but
will requi:-e considerable change in some of its elements i.e., cut
2 film handling so that individual copies can be called for, adequate
Approved For Release 2001/08/13 : CIA-RDP78BO4747AO02100060006-7
 light source, etc. A" seem ? a, sis after the design pha.se should
be performed in an attempt to determine the efficiency of the device
prior to hardware fabrication.
This is in essence another "chip" printer only the chip is larger
and has no data, block.
4. There are other potential photosensitive materials that are
being developed, some in late stages of development, that show greater
promise than the Bimat process g both from quality of output and ease
of handling. They are dry processed and have a, near real time print
production possibility. The Air Force has a high degree of confidence
that Diazo materials (800 l/mm and 21 step grey scale) (vapor processed
STATINTL in seconds) will be the reproduction standard x or them. Other processes
known in house, ~~~r+, shows/ romise. At this time there are
no specifics of resolution or grey scale rendition known on the
}[t' in terms
I
. PV-Q~.
It is heat processed.
STATINTL
the devices
Q,Qi c, ~
'?~ ~Z~zL. scg r
a..
Requirement for a quick print
b.
Real Time capability for producing the print
c.
d.
e.
f
Degree of magnification required
Quality of the reproduction material
Quality and quantity of image producing light
Weighing develo
d
i
ment time of MM
STATINTL
.
p
ev
ce
"
Ile d
0a, -., //Vp /I
Approved F*lease 2001/08/13: CIA-RDP78BO470002100060006-7
with Bimat process against a.va.ilabilityA - dryP' 'cessed
photosensitive material consequently requiring a, subsequent
later development.
Approved For Release 2001108P13 CIA-RDP78B04747A002100060006-7
 dry`" a rove
sMp-r. n of Project
Type of Contract
2-0
Date Proposal
Recd.
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la,a:iam ion I corms
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7
 CATE PApproved Fo eaIZQQ;V N8A-RDP788047 02100060006-7___._
STATINTL - .:y Lundahi 19 March 64 by ATE PPROVED By
DA "ONED eV
NEIL- 1 20 March 1964 by
TATINTI
L DUE Di1T
- .. J UATIE I /"~ I I I L COMPL % COMPL
Oescrir: ` on o;' Equipment STATINTL
Sarger-I': inter-Processor Model EPP9-500.
?you v .:;-ation with STATINTL
3. 're 'are your imm- iiate and thorough evaluation)
to ?;c ',..( Mr. Lundahl.
STATINTL
2`
T
STAFF STUDY COMPLETED
SENT TO TDC TDC ACTION
ESTIMATED COMPLETION
ICOMPLETION DATE
42aJ100060006-
Ig
? Minor
 Approved Fo.lease 2001/08/13 : CIA-RDP78B04210f0060007
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 ed For Release 2001/08/13 '^ P78B04747A00210006000.6-7__