British Kinematography (1950)

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14 BRITISH KINEMATOGRAPHY Vol. 16, No. 1 test section was called on to prove the efficiency of the device, and so, faced with every possibility of over-turning the tractor in the process, it was decided to keep a film record of each test run. Actually the tractor did overturn at one point, and although the critical moment was too brief for anyone to observe just what happened, the whole action was recorded in the camera. It was then possible to see exactly what had taken place, thus providing a record which was of value both to the Institute and the maker. Notes are kept on record films, all of which are filed in the film library for reference. Many of these must naturally be treated in confidence. The remainder, in addition to their initial record value, are in constant demand to illustrate specialised lectures which are frequently given by members of the Institute staff. Occasionally they are borrowed by machinery lecturers at agricultural colleges, and copies are often purchased by the manufacturers concerned. These films provide records which could not be expressed in any other form ; words or still photographs make a very inferior substitute. The greatest asset of a film library of this kind is the fact that, whereas a machine can only be seen working in the field one month out of twelve, it can be shown on the screen at any time. The combine harvester can be demonstrated in January and the seed drill in August. The film has overcome the seasons, in fact, if necessary, a lecturer can show a field being ploughed, sown and harvested within a few minutes. Research Films This aspect has developed as the Institute's research sections have increased. Much of this work is done at slow-motion speeds to allow movements to be analysed. Until recently speeds of 48 and 64 frames per second had been sufficiently rapid to study such things as the path taken by soil and potatoes as they leave the digging share or the action of tractor tyres under compression. As the development departments are now studying machines which work at much higher speeds, it has been decided to obtain a High Speed camera to explain the motion of such fast moving objects as thresher drums and pneumatic grain conveyors. These films are made in conjunction with the research staff, and their results studied carefully, often frame by frame and even in reverse. As with record films, notes are kept and filed for reference. Every problem requires its own treatment. Sometimes it is necessary to compare the performance of two machines or components. The split-frame technique is an excellent way of doing this by showing both machines on the screen side by side. For measurement purposes a timing device is included in the picture. This was used recently in making a time and motion study of the movements of a handoperated hoe when singling sugar-beet plants. Trouble was experienced with a potato planter which for no apparent reason dropped potatoes at very irregular intervals, instead of spacing them evenly in the rows. The machine was jacked up and driven by an electric motor to give the mechanism an equivalent speed of the 3 m.p.h. travelled in the field. Slowmotion shots were then taken in order to analyse the action more carefully and appropriate modifications recommended to the maker. Not much can be said to generalise on this aspect of the work. All jobs are different and are carried out in co-operation with the section concerned. The film section is really a small service department of a large organisation, and must be prepared to be called on by anyone to deal with whatever problems arise. Films In Tyre Research Another use for this type of film was in connection with tyre research. The object of the work was to investigate the circumstances which cause side-wall