SUPER-WIDE PRINT STRAIGHTENER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002500100013-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 12, 2005
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: January 8, 1969
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2005/06/0 ? I - 78B04770A002idf~0011
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IPI C /TS S G /DED-11k 72 -- 69
8 January 1969
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1 7RAZTDU!4 13Rt Chief, Engineering Support Division, TSSG/ iPIC
3UCT : Super-Wdide Print Straightener
1. Your Test and Evaluation Interim Report on the :purer-Wide Print
Straightener was received and read by our Division.
2. The course of action to be undertaken on this project is outlined
in the Staff Study attached to this memorandum.
3. The initiation of this as a new project will be recommended to
IPaC in the near future.
DCh/Development & Engineering Division
TSSG
Attachment:
1. Wide Print Straightening-Staff Study
Distribution:
Orin; -- Addressee
ITPIC/TSSG/DED
- NNPIC/TSSG/DED/R&DB-II
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NPIC/TSSG/DED/R&DB-II (8 Jan 69)
Declass Review by NGA.
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31 December 1968
Wide Print Straightening--Staff Study
PROBLEM
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Photographic prints tend to curl when dried. Print straighteners
are commercially available for straightening prints up to 16 inches wide
but the Center produces prints up to 30 inches wide.
2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
a. In November 1965, Development Objectives were prepared fora
"Super Wide Print Straightener."
b. Proposals for the development of a wide print straightener were
received from A request for
a proposal was also. sent o but the latter did not respond.
c. The contract was awarded to on 3 January 1967
for a cost of was the Project Officer at
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d. In June of 19671 left NPIC and I was assigned the
project. At this point the contractor had completed his design and had
begun fabrication of the equipment. The contractor first delivered the
equipment on 17 July 1967. After repeated failure to meet acceptance,
the machine was returned to the contractor and was not returned to NPIC
until 6 September 1968. Shortly thereafter the machine was accepted.
However, it was not sufficiently well designed for operational production
use and after one week in the Photo Lab it was removed. A Test & Evaluation
Interim Report, NPIC/TSSG/ESD/TEB-22-68 (attached), was prepared by the
Test and Evaluation Branch covering their work on this project and in-
cludes suggested courses of action concerning the subject equipment.
3. DISCUSSION
a. There is no reason to believe that a Wide Print Straightener
cannot be developed or that, once developed, it 'cannot solve NPIC's
print straightening.problem. Difficulties began when the contractor produced
t aour t
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a marginal'design for the Print Straightener. After the equipment was
built, modifications to. solve one problem only led to problems in other
areas. The largest?deficiency of the machine was the inadequacy of the
drive system (motor, pulleys, etc.) used for the cloth belt.
b. The Alternative courses of action recommended in the attached
report are all possible but it is felt that considerable time and effort
has already been expended by both NPIC and the Contractor on the present
design with little results. Even if the machine were put into running
condition, its dimensions are such that it has always been difficult to
fe2d a 30 inch. wide print through without damaging the sides of the print.
It would probably be easier to build a new machine than to correct this
difficiency. It is., therefore, recommended that no more effort be
expended on the present machine and that a new program be initiated.
c. The need. to straighten wide prints still exists.
PSG has verbally. expressed this requirement.
4. PROPOSED PROGRAM
a. Study Problem. The first task that should be performed in this
program is to study anew the :problem of the straightening of prints.
Three years-have elapsed since this problem was first studied. Some of
the questions to be answered are:
How are curled :prints used now?
How many wide prints need be straightened per year?
3. Can modifications be made to existing drying equipment to
eliminate or reduce curl?
b.. Suggest Alternative Solutions. At least several possible
alternative solutions will be suggested. Several tests or even bread-
boards may be made to determine the feasibility of some of these
solutions.
c. Compare Alternatives and Develop the Most Promising. After
probabilities of success have been evaluated and costs have been estimated,
the most.promising candidate or candidates will be designed and developed.
This may be an in-house development if the job does not appear too complex.
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