DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES AUTOMATED FILM TRANSPORT STUDY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2012
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: November 26, 1969
• Content Type: MISC

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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/24: CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1
L04
NPIC/TSSG/RED
26 November 1969
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
AUTOMATED FILM TRANSPORT STUDY
1. INTRODUCTION
? These objectives describe the concept and requirements of a govern-
ment sponsored study in automatic film loading, threading and transporting
techniques as related to imagery exploitation equipment.
2. BACKGROUND
The history of rear projection viewers has shown film loading and
transport systems to be a major source of complaint. Two major problems
exist in most present systems: the first problem is that of loading
and threading; the second is that of keeping the film flat while it is
moved through the platen. These problems, among others, are factors that
have caused the photo interpreters to shy away from general use of rear
projection viewers.
Loading and threading on commercial variable width film viewers
involves a series of operations. After the transport system has been
rotated to the proper position and the switches set for loading the
film spool, mounting brackets are adjusted to the proper width and the
tension adjustment is also set for the proper width of film. Then the
spool, conceivably weighting up to 30 pounds, is held in one hand as
the keyed spindles are fit into the reel. An empty takeup reel is
mounted in a similar manner on the opposite side of the platen. Film
is then threaded throUgh a series of rollers, through the platen and
another series of rollers, to the takeup spool where it is hand wound
until it is secured to the reel. After the switches have been reset,
the viewer is ready for operation. The platens of the various viewers
hold the film flat by either clamping the film in a glass sandwich
(which precludes moving the film while viewing) or by pulling the film
against a glass plate (whin tends to scratch and tear the film as ihe
film is transported over the edge of the plate). One attempt to build
a rear projection viewer with a dynamic scanning capability utilized
a thin fluid gate with the fluid acting as a lubricant. Unfortunately,
the viewer required up to thirty minutes to thread.
Direct viewing light tables, which utilize motorized film transport
techniques, sometimes experience vibrations induced by the film drive
motors. In addition, the location of rollers causes the film to be
either elevated slightly above the lighted surface or in direct contact
with the surface. The former requires film, hold-downs or other means
of flattening the film when viewing; the latter can cause film damage
when transporting the film.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/24: CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/24: CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1
SUBJECT: Development Objectives Automated Film Transport Study
The continuous roll printers used in photographic laboratories have
a film path which takes the strands of negative and copy film and brings
them in contact around the print drum and then takes the strands to their
respective takeup rollers. The negative film cannot be readily trans-
ported independent of the copy film and must be rethreaded for slewing.
This hinders selective frame printing and is a source of damage to the
film.
Some present printing enlargers require that the film be removed
to facilitate lens change. Since several magnifications (enlargement
ratios) are often required for a single frame, the removal of the film
becomes a major problem and film damage often results.
3. CONCEPT
3.1. Purpose - The purpose of this study is to build up a base of
technology from which the Government can readily draw when designing
new imagery exploitation systems containing roll film transports. The
techniques involved, when employed in a film transport system, must
reduce the time required to load and thread film, must permit single
and double strands of various widths of film to be transported, must
provide a wide range of transport speeds under smooth and positive
control, must be compact and must not damage the film. In addition,
a technique for maintaining a,'flat film image plane during film trans-
port will be developed.
3.2. Scope - The scope of this study will be the investigation of
the state-of-the-art of automatic film loading and self threading tech-
niques, of film transport systems and of dynamic film support technology
to determine what techniques are best suited for 41m viewing and print-
ing equipment. The results of the investigation will be reported to
the government periodically and a summary of all the research will be
submitted at the end of the contract.
4. REQUIREMENTS
4.1. Technology Investigation - The contractor will investigate the
following technologies for techniques which can be applied to film view-
ing and printing equipment transport systems.
4.1.1. Self Threading - The self threading systems used in
motion picture cameras and projectors, microfilm readers, film
processing equipment, magnetic tape transport systems, etc., will
be investigated to determine what techniques can be utilized to
thread unsprocketed film in a straight path, around bends, through
platens and/or over viewing surfaces and onto takeup spools.
2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/24: CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/24: CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1
SUBJECT: Development Objectives Automated Film Transport Study
4.1.2. Automatic Loading - Designs for automatically adjust-
ing the film spool holding spindles for various widths and diameters
of spools will be investigated as well as designs for a "universal"
takeup.reel which would be adjustable to the various lengths and
widths of film used, i.e., lengths of 250', 500' and 1000' and widths
of 70mm, 5", 6.6" and 9e.
4.1.3. Film Transporting - Various techniques of transport-
ing film will be investigated including capstan and reel drives,
A.C., D.C. and hydraulic drive motors, tachometer and spool diameter
sensor feedback controls, looping mechanisms, and combinations of
these or other drive and control systems
4.1.4. Film Flattening - Methods of keeping film flat while
it is transported across a platen will be investigated. Included
in the study will be such techniques as edge guides, air suspension,
fluid suspension and electrostatic suspension. Methods of flattening
film in the static mode over a platen or viewing surface will also
be investigated.
4.2. Data Screening - The contractor will review the results of
the technology investigation to determine which techniques can be applied
to film,viewing and which to printing systems. The following parameters
will bekbonsidered in evaluating the techniques.
4.2.1. Viewers - Viewing systems may use one strand of film
or two in widths of 70mm to 9k". The film thickness is generally
4 mil. Viewers require a range of film transport speeds of from
about .47min. to about 60'/min for scanning and about 300'/min for
slewing. In addition, the film motion must be smooth at all speeds.
The film crossing the platen area must be held flat within the
tolerances of the depth of field over the field of view of the Iiro-
jection system. For example a rear projection viewer with 48x magni-
fication f/18 lens and a 30" X 30" screen would require the film
to be held flat within + .012" over a .625" X .625" area. The size
of the transport system should be no greater than present systems
(about 30" X 30" for rear projection variable width film viewers).
Loading should require only a single access to the transport system.
4.2.2. Light Tables - Light tables may use one or two strands
of film in widths of 70mm to 9e. The transport speeds range from
about 0/min to l50'/min for scanning and 300'/min for slewing.
The film motion must be smooth at all speeds and the system cannot
damage the film. A method for holding the static film flat and
stationary for detailed microscope viewing, for indexing, for
Measuring or for tracing should be included. The hold down system
must be quiet, fast and simple to engage or disengage. In the
dynamic scanning mode the film must be relatively flat and close to
the lighted surface.
3
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' Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/24: CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1
SUBJECT: Development Objectives Automated Film Transport Study
4.2.3. Contact Printers - Contact printers require a transport
system for both the negative and copy film which will maintain a
constant speed (100'/min on the Niagara Printer) with the films in
contact over the exposure station. In addition, the transport system
for the negative should be capable .of slewing the negative film at
up to 300'/min without damage and independent of the copy film.
Printers must handle film widths of from 70mm to 9-
21t, lengths up to
1000' and thickness ranging from 1.5 mil to 5 mil without damage.
4.2.4. Enlarging Printers ?Enlarging printers require a single
transport system for widths of negative film of from 70mm to 9i",
lengths up to 1000' and thicknesses of from 1.5 mil to 5 mil. The
film transport speed control should provide a range of speeds which
will allovi fine positioning of the film in the platen and a' slew
speed of 300'/min. The transport system should not damage the film
in any mode of operation. .
4.3. Applied Research - The contractor will perform research and bread-
boarding when necessary to apply existing technology to variable width .
photographic film transport systems. This research will be restricted to
automatic loading and threading techniques, film drive and control tech-
niques, and dynamic and static film support techniques. (Any specific re-
search project requiring more than two man weeks of investigation will have
to be cleared with the technical monitor before it is undertaken).
5. MISCELLANEOUS
5.1: Reporting - The contractor will be required to, provide monthly
. reports and a final report. The monthly report will follow the DB-1001
specification attached. The final report will be submitted within 30 days
of the completion of the investigation. It will summarize the progress of
the study and tabulate the results of the investigation. The final report
must be comPleted within the allowable cost of the contract.
5.2. Consultations - The contractor will be on call to respond to
specific requests for information, or advice within the study area during
the contract period. The contractor may also be called upon to give an
oral presentation of the work performed and results found.
5.3. Proposal Format - The submitted proposal will conform to the
attached GUide for Proposal Format.
5.4. .This will be a 1 year level of effort.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/24: CIA-RDP79B00873A001400010017-1