International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1946)

6-PHASE PROJECTION RECTIFIER {Continued from page 16 ) studios. Apparent at once was the noticeable decrease in flicker. We also checked the rectifier for its ability to withstand heavy intermittent overloads and resultant increases in temperature. We operated the unit at full capacity for hours at a time and were unable to measure efficiency depreciation in any part of the machine. We tested the unit against all of our other types of current rectification used for supply to our projection lamps, and we experienced better screen results in all cases. It may be of interest if the reason for the extensive tests we made were explained. We put all new equipment through very severe tests. This is done not only for our own information here at the studio but for the information of those who write in asking for data on specific types of equipment we use. In the case of the rectifiers, however, we saw in this new principle of rectification an opportunity to eliminate some of the power grief that "we've had for many years. In a plant such as ours the maintenance of a steady projection light presents a problem when you take into consideration the terrific variances of load levels on the lot electrical circuits. These variances are occasioned by the intermittent lighting and unlighting of sets on the lot. As a result of those variances in electrical load we are continually on the lookout for better methods of flattening out the supply at our projection arcs. Our 6-phase installations here at M-G-M studios consist of one rectifier for each lamp, remote control stop-start boxes at the machine, and an emergency transfer box which permits the operation of both lamps from one rectifier in event of failure of a power supply unit. This Reason 6 KureetL XnaS 9L from THE MOVING PICTURE PROJECTIONISTS LOCAL 182, I. A. T. S. E. of BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ' w eliminates the possibility of having to finish a show on one machine in case of trouble. Additional features of these 6-phase rectifiers include increased compactness, an improved remote control system, simplified switching arrangement, and a larger capacity for longer throws, the while retaining the original economy inherent in rectifiers. 200th RCA Electron Microscope A major industrial achievement in the production of complex precision instruments was observed at RCA recently when the 200th RCA electron microscope, supersensitive electronic "eye", was completed and formally delivered to Northwestern University. The first commercial electron microscope was started in 1940 and took one year to complete. Each unit comprises 10,000 separate parts. pushbutton □ STOP START f]ST°P \_\ START PUSHBUTTON Wiring diagram of 6-phase rectifiers and projectors +o Type C Transfer Box. Using a beam of electrons in place of light to make possible useful magnification of invisible particles of matter up to 100,000 times, the electron microscope enables scientists and engineers to peer deep into the submicroscopic mysteries of metals, chemicals, foods and drugs, disease-causing organisms, and other substances and study details of structure and reactions never before observed. Harry Strong's New Annual Is 'Film Family Album' The men and women who have contributed most to the present development of the motion picture industry are featured subjects of the 1946 edition of the series of annual books published by Harry H. Strong of The Strong Electric Corp., Toledo Ohio. This volume is entitled the "Film Family Album." With a page size of 10 x 13 inches, this superbly produced book includes full-page illustrations of each person with a short biography on the facing page. Edited w|th an eye to the interest of those within the industry, the biographies chiefly concern the activities of the individual as they influenced developments of screen entertainment. There are writers and dramatists, scientists and inventors, players, exhibitors, directors, and film producers and distributors. The cover of "Film Family Album" simulates an old-fashioned photo album of the type which years ago was in evidence in the parlors of most homes. SMPE Atlantic Coast Section Elects 1947 Officers James Frank Jr., New York manager for National Theatre Supply, has been elected chairman of the Atlantic Coast Section of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers for 1947, succeeding Frank E. Cahill Jr., director of sound for Warner Theatres. Other new officers of the Section for the coming year are: H. E. White of Eastman Kodak Co., secretarytreasurer; and F. J. Grigrion ' of 20th Century-Fox, Theodore Lawrence of M-G-M International, and W. H. Rivers of Eastman Kodak, managers. 24 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST December 1946