TECHNICAL PROPOSAL ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH LABORATORY AND PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A003200020052-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 29
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 28, 2002
• Sequence Number: 52
• Content Type: REPORT

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Declass Review by
N I MA/DOD
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
This document is an unsolicited proposal describing the establish-
ment of an advanced photographic-processing laboratory and a program of
research, development, and testing of refined techniques in air/liquid bearing
film processing. The data in this proposal were prepared by the technical
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staff of the Photographic Systems Group,
for the U.S. Government.
1.1 SCOPE
liThis proposal covers the technical details of the proposed program,
a plan of accomplishment, and
qualifications to perform.
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STAT
STAT
1.2 OBJECTIVES
The proposed research program will establish design criteria for
film processing techniques based on the air/liquid bearing STAT
processing concept. The vehicle for proving and refining the design now in
HTA-5 processor, to be provided for
existence will be the
this program as GFE.
While the primary objective of the program is to determine the
basic design criteria as a means of advancing the design and efficiency
of the air/liquid bearing transport system,
will not restrict STAT
its effort to this goal. The technical areas discussed in this subsection
establish the basic research parameters which will be enlarged as the research
effort reveals promising avenues of investigation.
Company-sponsored design efforts carried on since completion of
the HTA-5 processor, combined with the research and investigations planned
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for the proposed program, are expected to yield very favorable performance
Improvements in the listed areas as well as in other areas that become
apparent during the program.
A brief summary of the work to be accomplished within the 12-
month program period is given below:
I) A GFE cleanroom will be installed at the
facilities of
, A cleanroom environment is essential to
the sensitometric performance and evaluation of the processor; no such
facility exists at any other firm. In addition to being provided by the
all costs connected with clean-
government at no cost to
room installation will be borne by the government.
will be
responsible for its procurement and installation.
2) The air/liquid bearing film-transport system will be improved
under the basic company-sponsored research program now being conducted.
Findings will be used as a basis for program enlargement. Important
research areas include the investigation of air/liquid bearing geometry
and air-liquid energy levels to provide stable "in-solution" and "in-air"
film transportation. Investigation of other film-transport system aspects
include vacuum capstans, film threading, and the minimizatn of film
stresses by efficient torque control.
3) All film-processing factors will be exhaustively studied to
optimize sensitometric performance. These factors will include, but will
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not necessarily be limited to, selection of plumbing materials and con7fig-
te -
urations, solution filtration, controllable development, densitometric
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instrum //entation, process chemistry, gamma requirements, and film/ drying.
4) Present processor construction will be evaluated and improved,
est
with these specific objectives as a goal: ease of maintenance? size
redugon, and improved confiaation from a human-factors standpoint.
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As in all processors, modular design will be an important
feature; majorico ponent modularity is considered to be vital for efficient
disassembly and reassembly when rapid machine deployment is necessary,
and for economical logistics and maintenance.
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5) Processor reliability will be a major area of research. It is
recognized that maximum machine availability and the safe handling of
Irreplaceable original film are essential;, the operating components will be
considered both individually and in terms of interface. In critical reliability
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areas, component redundancy and automatic standby switchover will be
considered.
6) The performance needs of the processor will also be evaluated
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in the areas of film splicing, air-squeegee performance, power consumption,
and processor power and functiftcontrol.
7) Support documentation will be provided in the form of r.norifhly
letter-type reports and periodic fechnical reports. The monthly reports will
briefly describe the program activities of the reporting period, the anticipated
activities for the following period, liaison activities between the contractor
and the customer, and an accounting of funds expended. The periodic tech-
nical reports will be furnished at the completion of each signifiaant_rezearch
phase; the scope will include perform,.
recommendations.
? ?
1.3 PROBLEM BACKGROUND
Historically, continuous film-processing has consisted basically
of moving exposed material, under tension, through a standard sequence
of operations on a series of rollers. The program has been preset and is
contingent on fixed sensitometric criteria.
has been STAT
continuously engaged in film-processing research for more than 25 years.
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Primary goals have been to improve on film output quality and equipment
reliability. In achieving these goals,
has been responsible STAT
for the development of many well-known designs which others have emulated.
From the standpoint of practical economics, and STAT
its competitors have had to engineer processors within the quality limits
imposed by roller-type film transports and fixed-program processing. These
quality limitations, however minimized by judicious design, imply a certain
amount of degradation due to the abrasive action of the film-transport system
and less-than-optimum selection of film-processing parameters. Additional
limitations have existed for many years because of limited knowledge in the
areas of contaminant control, process-chemistry applications, hydrodynamics,
and the application of sophisticated electronic techniques to photographic-
process control.
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1.4 PROBLEM SOLUTION
has developed proprietary techniques and hard-
ware to overcome the limitations on processed film quality imposed by con-
ventional processor design. This claim is based on demonstrably advanced
equipment such as the EH-49, the HTA-5, and the Super Levitron film pro-
cessors. Each of these processors is based on an air/liquid bearing film
transport in which the film is transported on cushions of air or liquid, under
minimum stress, thus insuring virtual freedom from scratches or dimensional
distortion. Additional advantages inherent in this technique are accelerated
cf_12p1_.nerit due to impingement and a high degree of solution agitation, and
increased wash efficiency through greater wash-water penetration of residual
surface solutions.
In addition to use of an air/liquid bearing film-transport system,
the EH-49 processor continuously and automatically varies the development
of each portion of the film being processed to yield maximum image information.
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The basic concepts of the air/liquid bearing film-transport system
have been proved in the ETA-5 and its forerunners, but
acknowledges that further research and development is necessary to realize
the full potential of this advanced technique. Therefore, a substantial
portion of the proposed program will be devoted to refining the transport
system. Areas of investigatibn will include bearing geometry, vacuum
capstan design and orientation, pneumodynamics of the air medium, and
hydrodynamics of the solution medium.
The application of controlled development by the heat-shock
method was pioneered by
and will also be investigated ?
during the program as an oimportant design goal.
A third important area to be resolved is contaminant control, both
inside and outside of the processor. Operation of the HTA-5 within
the carefully controlled and instrumented environment provided by the GFE
cleanroom will provide valuable data concerning the effect of a clean
atmosphere on processing quality and, conversely, the effect of a large,
chemically based machine on its environment. Advanced air and solution
filtration will be incorporated in the HTA-5 system to complement the clean-
room considerations.
1.5 COMPANY QUALIFICATIONS
is well known to the procuring activity as a
highly qualified producer of standard and special-purpose film processors
and as a successful research and development company in the photographic
and electronic sciences. This proposal will not deal at length, therefore,
with the adequate facilities and specialized personnel available to the
proposed program. Rather, this contractor's qualifications to perform are
based on lengthy experience and its successes with the unique problem
of controlled development and frictionless film transport.
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The proposed program is presented as one most likely to yield
data and techniques on which to base the design of a processor whose
operational and production performance will greatly exceed that of any
processor now in existence. It is the opinion of that
the use of company-designed air/liquid transport and controllable-
development techniques, plus its unique combination of engineering
experience in reliability, cleanroom techniques, electronic controls,
process chemistry, and materials and structures, is the surest way to
acquire the knowledge necessary for the development and production of
such a processor.
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SECTION 2
LABORATORY DESCRIPTION
proposes the establishment of a research and
development laboratory for the purpose of advancing the art and technology
of film processing in general and the air/liquid bearing concept of film
processing in particular.
The area selected for this purpose is a separate building on the north-
east corner of the
plant, bounded by
and adjacent to the loading entries from these avenues. This
area has been selected as suitable for both the installation of a GFE cleanroom
and its supporting laboratories. This building has a separate entrance from
and is isolated from the production shops. It will, therefore,
meet any necessary security requirement with 'a minimum of difficulty.
The layout of the proposed research and development facility is
shown in Figure 2-1. The cleanroom will occupy an area of approximately
0 ,>1200 square feet, and will be divided into three main areas. An area of
approximately 28 by 26 feet will be used for installation of the HTA-5
processor on a GFE basis as a test vehicle. The other two areas will house
a photographic evaruation laboratory and a sensitometric exsoaurejaboratory,
each of which wil1 be provided with a light lock and will be accessible from
the main test area as shown in the plan.
It is proposed that the cleanroom be of the prefabricated portable
type, consisting of stainless-steel panels supported by standard channel
sections. The rooms will be provided with filtered, temperature-controlled,
and humidity-controlled air. Access to the cleanrooms will be through an
air shower and air locks equipped with suitable "clean tread" mats.
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STAT
It is recommended that the cleanrciom be procured from
because of their extensive experience in specialized installations of this type,
and that they should also be responsible for its installation in the area provided.
2.1 AIR- AND LICIUID-BEARING TES.T LABORATORY
To study the design, performance, and efficiency of air and liquid
bearings and air squeegees, an air- and liquid-bearing test laboratory is
essential. Such an area will be provided adjacent to and with access. from
the cleanroom area OFigure 2-1) and will contain an air/liquid bearing test
stand. The test stand will conform to the general configurations shown in
Figures 2-2 and 2-3.
2.2 ELECTRONICS AND OPTICS LABORATORY
Since it is not proposed to limit the work conducted in this facility,
an electronic and optics laboratory will be provided for research into
controllable-development methods, density measurement, image-quality
evaluation, and other important techniques.
2.3 ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORIES
To advance the design and efficiency of processing machinery,
constant research into the properties of the chemical solutions is required.
This research will furnish the design engineers with data pertinent to the
functions and physical size of the machine. To support this aspect of
process design, it is proposed.to incorporate this company's existing
chemistry laboratories in the facility.
To support the research areas described above, suitable storage
areas and office accommodation will be provided as shown in the layout.
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cr,
131.0%. I ca.
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Figure 2-2. Air- and Liquid-Bearing Test Stand
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C)
Blower
Orifice Plate Set
(Calibrated)
Flow Straightener
Vanes
Temperature /
Temperature and
Humidity Generator
Figure 2-3, Air Test Stand
Flow Rate
Manometer
Flow Valve
Temperature
(\-1
11-
Outlet Pressure
Manometer
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In summary, it can be seen from the proposed layout that
intends to provide a modern, well-equipped research and develop-
ment center capable of undertaking research into all aspects of film processing
to advance film-processing methods and the efficiency of the equipment.
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DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
PROCESSOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
2 March,1964
1. SCOPE. The development objectives covered herein set forth requirements
for aninvestigative effort relating to photographic processing equipment and
techniques. The program shall make use of the present HTA/5 processor on a
GFE basis as a test vehicle, for specificinvestigative efforts in a GFE
portable clean-room environment, adequately equipped and staffed to achieve
conceptual and engineering advances in the art and technology of photographic
film processing.
? 2. INVESTIGATIVE OBJECTIVES. The investigative objectives described below
are primarily directed toward improvements in the liquid-air bearing concept
because of its demonstrated significant advances in the state-of-the-art of
film processing. It is not intended that these objectives restrict related
efforts in other processing concepts that may be conceived as a result of
this work; however, any major deviation from the objectives as set forth
shall be approved by the project monitor.
/cD
3. DETAILED OBJECTIVES.
3.1. ,Liquid and Air Bearings. The major requirement for liquid bearings
and air bearings is that they should provide stable cushions for the support
of film webs "in-solution", as the film passes through the solution tanks,
and "in-air" as the film web crosses over from one solution to the next. To
improve these functions, the following investigations should be conducted:
3.1.1. Investigate new designs, configurations and concepts for liquid
and air bearings respectively, with the objective of achieving the optimal
film support and tracking with the minimum of respective solution and air
flow.
.3.1.2. With the object of increasing the pechanical efficiency of liquid
and air bearings, investigate the effect of variable slot openings as well
as liquid and air feed arrangements.
3.1.3. Measure energy levels reftiiTed to maintain firm cushions over .a
wide range of load conditions encountered by change of film width from 70mm
to 9i inches and film thickneses`varying from 1.5 mils to 7.0 mils.
3.1.4. Establish the effeCt on film stability of increases or decreases
in the diameter of liquid and air bearings.
3.1.5. Investigate the correlation between velocity and flow rate of
solutions and air with the view of optimizing the values for each.
--3.2. Air Squeegee. Investigate configurations and other parameters by
which the efficiency of the air squeegee can be improved, with the minimum
of air flow and/or power consumption.
3.3. Vacuum Capstans. Investigate-designs for improving the vacuum
capstan drive method for all applications and conditions, including:
3.3.1. Vacuum level versus volume.
3.3.2. Capstan diameter's and configurations for variable film loads.
3.3.3. Determine under what conditions .other materials, such as scintered
metal, or teflon coatings, may be used and at what energy levels.
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7j 3.3.4. Effects of capstan configurations on tracking characteristics.
3.4. .Plumbing. The requirements for large amounts of plumbing is inherent
in processing equipment and contributes significantly to power losses. Effort
should be expended to minimize these losses.
3.4.1. Determine which materials and fitting designs provide the least
pressure drop and give the best non-leak performance.
3.4.2. Determine which pumps and seals provide the greatest efficiency
with the least temperature rise of solution.
3.4.3. Investigate means of shortening the plumbing-and air lines by
placing service units in close proximity to the processor needs.
3.5. Solution Filtration. :Filtration of solutions is required to remove
large particles from solution that may cause film emulsion or base damage.
This requirement has varied widely in new equipment over the years, from 0.3 X
micron to 20 micron particle size, with little scientific basis for the
judgment.
3.5.1. Investigate the effects on film surfaces, by the liquid-air con-
cept, with filtering at different particle size levels to establish a
scientific basis for the selection of filters for solution and water.
3.6. .Equipment Size.
3.6.1. Reevaluate the configuration and space required for each machine
component to assure maximum utilization of machine space. Smaller bearing
design may offer considerable opportunity for size reduction.
3.7. Power Consumption.
3.7.1. .Reevaluate each electrically operated component to assure maximum
electrical efficiency. Improvement of efficiency in liquid and air bearings
and the air squeegee should greatly reduce the power required for pumping
liquid and air.
3.8. Modular Design. Modular design and construction of processing
equipment is of utmost importance to assure ready disassembly and reassembly
for maximum portability, quicker maintenance by ready replacement of modules,
less down time by ease of part replacement, and greater reliability.
3.8.1. Study modular concept with a view to:
for crating.
module alignment.
bearings and air bearings. Intensive investigation should be directed to
designing the bearings as self contained, self sufficient, electrically oper-
ated units. These should be easily removable and replaceable while the machine is operating. This may be accomplished by removable bearing cores to avoid
3.8.1.2. Keying the modules to assure proper reassembly with automatic
3.8.1.3. Extending the modular concept to individual parts such as liquid
3.8.1.1. Designing the processor in modules that are readily transportable
collapse of the film strand during the interchange.
3.8.1.4. Use of multi-pin connectors. for interconnecting modules.
Controllable Develo ment-Mbdule. Controllable development has come
to be reco n d-as--a-vaIaable asset in the processing of both original film
and-d pTIcates.
3.9.1. Investigate ature designs of controllable development modules
for insertion in the processor.
3.1_9. Density Measurent. Ally controllable development system must
include a recise, method by ich the densitometr c characteriStics of the
film may be aiaJzed, in order o assure proper adjustment in subsequent
localized processing.
3.10.1. Investit.e densitometrinalysis module for use in conjunction
with the controllable dee.lgpment modu
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3.11. Splicing. Investigate new splicing methods and splicing apparatus
for incorporation as an integrated module of the processor.
C.7)3.12. Reliability. One of the prime characteristics of a processor is its
mechanical reliability and its ability to eliminate all possible damage to ir-
replaceable original film.
3.12.1. Evaluate the operational limitations of each operating component
to assure absolute reliability.
3.12.2. Determine areas or functions that should have stand-by automatic
gwitchover service units or components.
a) L----- 3.13. Threadin. Investigate methods by which the liquid-air bearing
processor may be simply threaded, preferably by automatic means.
CZ) 3.14. Film Torque. An important element in modern processing is complete
avoidance of any stress on the film web that may cause distortion or elongation
// of images by driving torque applied to the film web.
3.14.1. Devise techniques by which torque on the film web can be measured,
controlled and minimized. Also establish some criteria by which the torque
of the liquid-air bearing concept can be compared to that of presently standard
techniques.
3.14.2. This investigation should include a measure of the torque required
to draw film from the supply spool, with a view to driving the supply spool in
proper synchronism with the processor drive capstan to avoid all possible
stretching of the film.
0
3.15, Chemical Development. Investigate various chemical solutions, in-
cluding viscous development with a view to reducing the space requirement
without compromise of quality.
0 3.16, Chemical Fixation. Investigate machine chemical fixation to assure
maximum efficiency within the space limitations. This should include con-
centrated, semi-viscous solutions.
3.17. ,Film Washing. Investigate film washing methods with a view to re-
L ducing the volume of wash water required, without sacrifice of archival quality.
3.18. Measure of Chemical Balance. Investigate electronic means by which *
the chemical balance can be continuously measured and recorded on dials attached
to the side of the machine, or at the control panel.
3.19. Processor Control System. Investigate control functions for opera-
tion of the system, with a view to total centralization of required controls
at the control panel.
/ 3.20. Clean Room. Study the practical aspects of operating a processor
in a clean-room atmosphere to establish parameters for 'a clean-room processor
operation. This investigation should evaluate the effect of the room environ-
ment on the film during the processing cycle and should also evaluate the
processor effect on the aerosol content of the clean-room when operated therein.
693.21. Drying Air. Investigate the particle size filtration required for
drying air fed to a film drying cabinet.
6)3.22. Gamma Requirements. Investigate film gamma requirements as related
to processing characteristics of the liquid-air bearing principle.
4. REPORTS. The contractor shall be required to submit monthly.progress
reports and periodic technical reports.
4.1. Monthly Reports. The monthly report shall be a letter type
describing briefly the activities of the previous month and proposed work
for the next month. This report shall include a monthly accounting of funds
expended with an appropriate breakdown and documentation of verbal agreement
made with the monitor.
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/r-/ 4.2. Technical Reports. Technical reports shall be submitted on cm-
/ pletion of each respective Research Objective, or at some significant point
towards its accomplishment. These reports should describe the work performed
with results conclusions and recommendations.
5. ORGANIZATION. In order to assure development of a research environment
conducive to the origination, development and testing of new concepts and
techniques, the research group assigned to this program shall be organiza-
tionally separated from production personnel.
5.1. Personnel. Personnel chosen by the contractor to perform the
research described herein shall be approved by the contract monitor.
5.1.1. Personnel assigned to this research program shall be assigned on
a full-time basis.
6. CLEAN ROOM. The GFE clean-room will be provided and installed at the
expense of the Government. Purchase of the clean-room and supervision of its
installation shall be by the contractor. Installation shall be at some loca-
tion within the contractor's plant acceptable to the contract monitor.
7. HTA/5. The GFE HTA/5 processor shall be installed in the GFE clean-room
and brought to a suitable and reliable condition to properly serve as a test
vehicle in any reasonable manner to accomplish the investigative objectives
covered herein.
8. .SECURITY. The enclosure utilized for this investigative program shall be
closed to all personnel except those assigned who have proper security clear-
ances and who have a need-to-know of work conducted therein.
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SECTION 3
PROGRAM PLAN AND PERSONNEL
3.] RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS
The first research undertaken in the facility will be to obtain film-
drag coefficients. These are required to obtain the basic data on which
the air- and liquid-bearing design criteria will be based. (Refer to
Appendix 1.)
3.2 FILM-DRAG COEFFICIENT RESEARCH
The following program will be carried out:
1) Pressure/flow requirements for given speeds for air and liquid
bearings will be determined.
2) Using the pressure/flow data, an investigation will be made
to determine the effect of increases or decreases in the diameter of air
and liquid bearings on film stability.
3) The effect of different slot and feed arrangements will be
Investigated with the objective of increasing the mechanical of
air and liquid bearings.
4) The overall system efficiency will be investigated in terms of
individually powered bearings versus a number of bearings fed from a
common manifold using blowers or pumps of large horsepower.
6) Investigations to determine an efficient way to thread film
automatically will be made.
3.3 PLUMBING RESEARCH
In conventional processors a minimum of plumbing is used,
usually only that required for recirculation and drainage. In liquid-bearing
processors, much plumbing is required. Investigations conducted by
have shown the need for research to reduce pressure losses
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through plumbing fittings so that pump sizes can be reduced accordingly.
AL_
The following investigations and tests will be conducted:
1) Standard plastic and stainless-steel fittings will be tested
to find those through which the least pressure drop is developed and those
giving the best nonleakage results. Tests will also be made on valves,
disconnects, and filters.
2) Concurrently, extensive tests on as many types of pumps
and seals as possible will be made to ascertain the best type for standard
use. At the same time, temperature rises in solutions due to pumping
action will be recorded..
3) The design of multiplenum pumps for increased pumping
and maintenance efficiency will be investigated.
4) A hollow-wall tank configuration to obtain increased temp-
erature-control efficiency and to eliminate bulky temperature-control equip-
ment such as heat exchangers and a BTU input tank will be designed, built,
and tested.
3.4 VACUUM CAPSTAN RESEARCH
Mi essential part of the
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air/liquid bearing trans- STAT
port system is the vacuum capstan, an example of which is used in the
HTA-5 processor. Further research is required to advance the development
of vacuum capstans and will comprise the following:
(91) Tests will be carried out to ascertain which form of power
source gives the widest possible application and the conditions for which
it should be selected. The tests will cover high vacuum at low cfm and
low vacuum at high cfm.
2) Tests to determine the best diameters and feed configurations
for given loads will be conducted.
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3) Investigations will be made to determine under what
conditions, if any, a porous metal or plastic capstan could be used, and
at what energy levels.
4) Tests will be conducted to establish the maintenance
required on a porous metal capstan, if satisfactory in other respects.
5) An investigation of the possibility of a capstan design
capable of operation from either a high or low positive or neciatWeioressure
with a high or low cfm energy source will be made, using data obtained
from the tests and investigations described above.
6) Tests will be made on each type of standard film to
determine the pre'ssure level at which "dimpling" or permanent marking of
the film occurs,
3.5 RELATED RESEARCH
Other essential areas of research include the following:
1) Investigation of design configurations for a rotating liquid-
s ra bearin which would also provide film support will extend the use of
the liquid bearing concept into the spray processor area.
2) Some grounds exist for the belief that development can be
accelerated by passing the film through a liquid bearing capable of supplying
developer at a high pressure. It is proposed to examine the validity of this
concept and to carry out tests sufficient to justify, if possible, further
investigation.
3)
The majority of air squeegees currently available operate
on a high-pressure low-flow basis.
research has produced
a successful low-pressure high-volume air squeegee used on the HTA-5
processor. To design a similar air squeegee suitable for any given film
width or thickness at a given film speed, additional research is needed
to be able to plot curves giving the number and width of slots and the air
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pressure and flow required. This research would also determine the gap
between units necessary to reduce high-energy noise levels.
4) Photographic tests necessary to insure that designs selected
are both photographically and mechanically sound should be conducted.
5) Preliminary work on the
air squeegee
described has shown that it is possible to dry film at low speeds. It will
be necessary tolot drying2===....z...._Irves under known relative humidity conditions,
using both ambient and heatpd air, with a view toward increasing drier
efficiency (or eliminating conventional driers entirely under certain conditions.)
4
3.6 DEVELOPMENTAL OBJECTIVES
Some of the areas of research and development necessary to
increase the efficiency of processors designed for the air/liquid bearing
concept, to decrease tho total package size of the overall machine, to
improve the design of modules for ready disassembly, reassembly, and
maximum portability, and to provide easier maintenance through modular
design of components, have been discussed. These represent the principal
research objectives. As part of the developmental objectives, methods of
obtaining automatic alignment of modules will also be investigated.
3.7 FUTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1) Using the HTA-5 processor as a test vehicle, detailed
research into the effects, on film development, of solids in chemical
solutions and in air, will be conducted. This will be done by connecting
various types and ratings of air and liquid filters to the HTA-5 processor
and testing them in actual operation.
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STAT
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2) There are several theoretically possible methods of
obtaining controllable development of film. Feasibility of various methods
depends, to a great extent, on the length of film over which the control is
required. In conjunction with a method of sensing film density at various
stages of development or sensing the rate of development, intensive
study and investigation is required to exploit the possibility of providing
a packaged controllable?development module, using either hand control by
the operator or automatic control by suitable electronic circuitry.
3.8 PERSONNEL
The facility will be staffed with personnel of the highest obtainable
caliber, thoroughly experienced in the field of film processing or in related
activities. The following staff is recommended.
1) Photographic Engineer
2) Chemical Engineer
3) Electromechanical Engineer
4) tlectromechanical Technician
5) Photographic-Laboratory Technician.
The facility will be managed by a full-time supervisor who will
be responsible for management under the direction of the
assistant director of engineering. A program organiza-
tion chart is dhown in Figure 3-1.
Additional services such as secretarial requirements, model shop'
labor, etc., will be obtained on an as-required basis. All assignments
handled by the laboratory will channel through the laboratory director, who
will check the initial requirement With the research coordinator to avoid
duplication of effort within the company. A copy of the assignment together
with the objectives of the investigation will be submitted to the project
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INIII IIIMI Mil INII MIN Ell MI NMI . INN MN INN MIN IIIII
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Photographic .
Engineer
r -
Photographic
Technician
Research
Coordinator
1
Assistant
Director of !-
Engineering
1
, Secretarial i
I Services r-
I
(as required) 1
Chemical
Engineer
Research and
Development
Laboratory
Supervisor
[
Electro- I
mechanical 1
Engineer 1
,
Electro-
mechanical
Technician
Figure 3-1. Program Organization
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Model Shop I
Labor
Lies required)_I
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4
monitor for approval prior to commencement of work. An assignment sheet
will be drawn up describing the research or development work to be under-
taken. A copy of this will be given to each person assigned, and he will
record the time spent on each assignment.
A weekly report on each as will be requirecTn'orrial
p sonnel. These will be filed in a master file established for each assign-
ment. All man-hours, expenditures, reports, photographs, charts, and
other relevant data for each assignment will be filed in the master file. On
completion of an assignment, a final technical report including all plots,
formulas, and recommendations will be prepared and issued to responsib
authorities.
To promote the atmosphere essential to an organization of this
nature, all assignments will be discussed with the personnel of the laboratory
to encourage a free interchange of ideas and opinions and to insure identi-
fication of the staff with the projects undertaken. If essential outside
assistance in specialized fields is needed, it will be procured on a con-
sulting basis to insure maximum efficiency.
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APPENDIX A
Notes on drag of film when pulled through water or near-water
solutions:
When any body is moved through water at a velocity V there is a
resisting force F exerted by the water on the body moving through it. In
the case of film or thin flat plates of little or no frontal area, this force
is known as skin friction.
where
-3--- f f f
-*--- f I F.---
This force may be calculated from the following equation:
F = CF p AV2
2
(1)
F is the skin friction force in lbs, CF is a dimensionless
coefficient,p is the mass density of the liquid in slug/ft3,
A is the area in sq ft,and V is the velocity in ft/sec
-
Note p of water at 20?C
is 1.937s1ug/ft3
or 1.937 lbs f sec2
number.
ft4
The drag coefficient Cf is mainly proportional to the Reynolds
R, N, ,_ VL
V
(2)
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V is velocity in lb/sec
L is length
v is kinematic viscosity
in ft2/,sec
v for water at 20?C is 1.08 x 1.0-5
sensitive)
(this number is very temperature-
For smooth, flat, plates the coefficient CF has been approximated as
follows:
1 L RN L 5 x 10
1.327
CF (3)
R.N
5 x 105 L RoN L 5 x 106
0.074
1700
CF = (4)
,JR.N R. N.
and for RN > 5x106
C =
F
[log10 (R. N .)T2758
0.455
(5)
However, it is not known how well these approximations apply to
film in water, developer, and fix solutions.
There are several things to note carefully.
The entire area of the film - both sides included - that is in solu-
tion between drive points must be considered.
The drag varies according to the square of the velocity. Double
the speed and ge,t 4 times the drag.
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In air-liquid bearing machinesithe load on bearings is due almost
completely to the 4uid friction drag. Only that part of film tension due
to tensioning devices is not caused by fluid friction. The tension is
cumulative from t'ank to tank and is greatest near the tail end of the
machine.
It is instructive to compute an example according to the. formulas
above,to understand why the above discussion is pertinent and why
additional resetrch is needed.
The HTA-5 had 160 feet of 9-1/2-inch wide film submerged from
head end to tail end. At 20 feet/min the drag force was,
according to formula
F = C ptAV
2
2
First compute R.N. to evaluate CF
20
VLx 160
R.N. = ?v =
1.08 x 10-5
0.33 x1.60
x 107 = 4.9 x106
1.06
since this is very close to 5 x 106 both (4) and (5) forms of Cp will be
evaluated.
.0.074 1700
CF 5/ R.N.
R.N.
0.074 1700
4.9 x 106
5J49 x 10
_ 0.074
- 21.8
1700
4.9 x 106
3.4 x10-3 - 0.348 x 10-3 = 3.05 x 10-3
(4)
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0.455
C -
F - 12.58
L 1?g10 (R'N)
0.455
[logio4.9 x 10
6-1 2.58
0.455
6.690] 2'58
0.455 4.55 x10-1
1.37 x 10z = 3.31 x 10-3
137
(5)
We shall use the slightly larger (10 percent) value of 3.31 for computation
of F.
-3 1
3.31 x 10 x 1.937 (160 x 0.79 x 2)
(60)
2 =
2
3.31x 1.937x 2.53 x 1.11 x10-2
2
= 9.0 x 10-2
.09 lbs,
2
However, in the HTA-5,drags of almost 2 pounds were experienced.
Some of this was the accumulator tension and some of this was
higher fluid friction than the equation predicts, thus pointing up the need
for experimental work to get the CF for film instead of smooth flat plates.
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