ADVANCED LIGHT TABLE PROTOTYPES UNDER CONTRACT (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A003000040013-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 16, 2003
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: March 12, 1965
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Fjelease 2003/01/0DPT
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XPIC/AWIlO2-65
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is design study 2 been -reAeved and evaluated for ca 1e_te-
neeri feasibility and has been determined to be
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KIDMANIM : Chief, Pocuremezit Divisi
it instability
vao negotiated as a two
dead ease and My-&- fabrieatioxx phase.
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2. I I el. Phase I, the design study
portic, of contract and has delivered two co
desk study (report end drawings) to NPIC/mm technic
nit
mo
or
Original & 2 - Addressee
2 - DB/P&DS
1 - P&DS Chrono
liefi , 3UPPort Staff,, HPIC
d tTab1.ePoto s under
tt
2 Mar 1965
Declass Review by NIMA / DoD
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NPIC/P&DSJ
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SECRET
(When Filled fn)
REVISED -
ffi/IA 131
Approved For a a
U/2f%RC -RD 8604747 30 orm 00
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23 August 1965
1. PROJECT TITLE/CODE NAME
2. SHORT PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Advanced. Light Table.
The development of three, different,
Prototypes
advanced film-viewing light tables.
5. CLASS OF CONTRACTOR
6. TYPE OF CONTRACT
Manufacturer
CPIF
7. FUNDS
S. REQUISITION NO.
Y. BUDGET PROJECT NO.
FY 1965
NA
FY 1966
10. EFFECTIVE CONTRACT DATE
(Begin - end)
FY 19
1 Sept - 1 Dec 1965
12. RESPONSIBLE DIRECTORATE/OFFICE/PROJECT OFFICER TELEPHONE EXTENSION
DDI/NPIC/ P&DSF__
13. REQUIREMENT/AUTHORITY The present 9" x 18" format "ti1ttop" and 9" x 40" "motion-
carriage" light tables are two of the most heavily used pieces of equipment not
only at NPIC but also throughout the Intelligence Community. These units, while
functional, are generally awkward and uncomfortable to use because they require (co
14. TYPE OF wR1ST project is one part of a parallel engineering development effort
and is directed toward the design, fabrication, test and evaluation of three
different, prototype light tables.
15. CATEGORIES OF EFFORT
MAJOR CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORIES
Vi
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114. END ITEM OR SERVICES FROM THIS CONTRACT/IMPROVEMENT OVER CURRENT SYSTEM. EQUIPMENT. ETC.
The results of this development will be three prototype, advanced-concept,
film-viewing light tables -- three different tables. The three types are: (1) An
lift x 18" format tilt-top unit, (2) an 11" x 40" format unit with translating
microscope carriage, and (3) an 11" x 40" unit with translating microscope (contd)
17. SUPPORTING OR RELATED CONTRACTS (Agency & Other)/COORDINATION The best of numerous suggestion
gathered from many different NPIC analysts, were incorporated into the development:
objectives upon which this project was based and which are reflected in the con-
tractors' technical proposals. By virtue of contacts throughout industry and the
]ntelligence Community, it is concluded that no equivalent devices are (contd)
IS. DESCRIPTION OF INTELLIGENCE REq,~1 IREMEN ND D jqILED TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (Continue on addi-
tional page if required) t:urrent.Ly, 11Y-viewing light tables introduce high fatigu
factors and inefficiency into the photo interpretation operation. Since the. highly
skilled photo interpreter is the most important single. element in the P.I. process,
equipment which has not been engineered for maximum efficiency and comfort carries
penalties we cannot afford. Two of the proposed prototype table-types are units
designed to replace present equipment. The third table is designed in anticipation
of solving future problems. As the resolution of film. materials increases, they
must be viewed with higher and higher magnifications; consequently, there is a (con
IS. APPROVED BY AND DATE
OFFICE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
DDCI
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d)
1OR8, 2338 SECRET
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R & D CATALOG FORM (Continued)..,,.
13. The viewer to sit in an unnatural position and have controls which
require uncomfortable hand or arm movements.
They are difficult to load and have poor stability; furthermore,
the light sources do not provide adequate light intensity and are
subject to "flickering" when dimmed.
This development meets the requirements of NPIC/PAG and CIA/IAD
16. carriage and integral, tracking, high-intensity light sources.
Monthly progress reports and three instruction manuals will be provided
This project should result in sophisticated (but reliable)
prototype light tables, built with proper attention to human engineering,
and which are to be evaluated under actual operational conditions by photo
interpreters. The desired final product of this development program would
be prototypes which could be further refined and then manufactured on a
production basis to replace current operational models.
17. currently in existence.
18. point at which general diffused illumination from the light table
becomes inadequate and high-intensity light sources are required: Since
the microscope translates, these high intensity sources must track the
objective lenses. The third table-type is designed to accomplish this.
Technical Specifications
A. Advanced Tilt-Top Light Table
The unit will provide the following advanced features:
1. Handling (up to) 500' single rolls of 9-", 5" or
70mm film, or dual rolls of 5" or 70mm film concurrently.
2. Increased illumination up to 1800 foot lamberts,
continuously variable from 15% to 100% to full intensity,
without visible evidence of "flicker".
3. Adjustable sub-stage shades to block out all of the
illuminated surface not actually covered by film.
0'- CRET
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R & D CATALOG FORM Continued...
18. Technical Specifications (Continued)
4. A unique, completely reliable film drive that will
permit bi-directional film motion, controllable from
either end: i.e., it will permit both winding and unwinding
with the same crank at one end of the table. In addition,
the drive will incorporate a two-speed feature to facilitate
high-speed slewing. Specifically, it is proposed to
incorporate a servo motor and associated control circuitry
to provide a full power assisted film transport capability.
To transport the film, the operator would turn the hand-
wheel as in the present design, however, the actual power
required to rotate the film spools would be supplied by
the servo, this arrangement permits a high degree of control
at the handwheels while eliminating the manual power
required. Switches will be provided to allow the operator
to automatically slew the film without touching the hand-
wheels.
5. Fast, positive loading and unloading mechanisms.
6. A film transport mechanism that maintains a light,
constant tension to keep the film flat and in contact with
the glass surface. This tension is automatically eased
when the film is transported.
7. Tilt mechanisms that permit tilts of (up to) 75?
on one axis and 450 on the other.
B. Advanced Film Viewing Light Table with a Translating Micro-
scope Carriage
This unit will incorporate' all of the features of the tilt-top
unit except for item A7. In addition, the following features will
be added:
1. An 11" x 4o" illuminated area vice 11tf x 18".
2. A height adjustment of 3" and a tilt adjustment 00
through 150.
3. An advanced, precision carriage for translating micro-
stereoscopes or stereomicroscopes in both X and Y over an area
of 10" by 35" of the total illuminated format. Ada
;provided for mounting the
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- R&D CATALOG FORM Continued ...
18. 4. A fine micrometer X- and Y-microscope motion over + 2cm
in travel, which can be implemented once the main translational
carriages have been locked in position. This precision motion is
graduated and accurate to .001mm plus .01% of the total distance
being measured.
C. Advanced Film-Viewing Light Table with Translating Microscope
Carriage and High-Intensity, Tracking Light Source
This unit is basically the same as item B above, with the
following exception:
1. Two high-intensity, condenser-type light sources are
provided which are positioned between the-general illumination
source and the surface glass plate and are independently
adjustable so that they can be adjusted beneath the objective
lenses of the microscope. When the microscope and microscope
carriage are translated, the high-intensity light sources will
track the objectives.
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D. The modifications described in paragraph A 4. above will be
incorporated in all three light tables. This constitutes a change of
scope requiring Iadditional funds.
NOTE: Because of the importance of the items being developed, and
because of the high degree of sophistication required of the film drive
and film-tension mechanisms, it is technologically prudent to undertake
a parallel development.
By undertaking a, parallel development, we obtain two totally different
approaches in design philosophy. The best design from either manu-
facturer for any part (components or subsystems). of each of the light
tables would then be combined on the final roduction units at the
time of manufacture
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