International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1950)

CULMINATING a five-year period of designing and tooling-up, plus an exhaustive series of field tests in ace circuit theaters operating 14 hours daily over a span of 16 months, the new Simplex X-L 35-mm projector mechanism was given its first public demonstration recently before members of the press by International Projector Corp. at its factory in Bloomfield, N. J. This new mechanism incorporates several radical departures in design and operation from previous Simplex projectors— in fact, from existing practice with any other projector — and it was the consensus that Simplex engineers had reached their goal of producing a mechanism of top-flight efficiency, complete reliability, economy of operation, and long life. The Simplex X-L has impressively clean lines and evidences the wealth of The New Simplex X-L operating side (left). Large glass panel and lighted interior expose mechanism to view over a wide angle of vision. Enlarged sight box. New lens mount for lenses up to 4" diameter and F:l .6 speed. Unique Screenscope above lens enables precise focusing by knob located just below. Built-in changeover at top rear. Rounded corners of white-enameled film compartment afford maximum cleanliness. Spray-O-Matic lubrication system (right) constantly covers every inch of this sealed compartment with a fine spray of oil which gently bathes every surface. Not a drop of oil can reach the film. Full-view gauge at lower left indicates oil level at a glance. Theaters operating the Simplex X-L 14 hours daily for the past 16 months have not had to change the oil. I Simplex X-L 35-mm Projector Mechanism fine design and advanced manufacturing technique which went into its production. Advanced Operating Aids On the operating side of the projector head, as a starting point, there is a large glass panel which, together with the illuminated film compartment, enables the projectionist to see, at an appreciable distance and over a wide angle of vision, the entire mechanism while it is running. The vital aperture area is also exposed to view by means of an enlarged sightbox having eye-protective glass which precludes the need for stooping or squinting in an awkward position. With high-speed lenses the order of today and tomorrow, the Simplex X-L scores a major advance in projector design with a new lens mount which can accommodate any projection lens up to and including 4 inches in diameter and having a speed of F:1.6. Many theaters, and particularly drive-ins, have been severely handicapped in the past by the absence of such a large lens mount. This Simplex X-L mount will satisfy all foreseeable requirements in this respect. Incidentally, several leading lens manufacturers have recently announced the availability of new large-diameter, longfocal-length, high-speed lenses. The film compartment is of gleaming white enamel, and all corners are rounded so as to collect a minimum of dust and dirt and to render the removal of that minimum a quick and easy task. The built-in changeover unit is of the instant-acting, zipper type which is designed to give unfailing, trouble-free service for many years. Spray-O-Matic Lubrication Field tests under actual theater operating conditions for more than a year indicate that the Simplex X-L lubrication system, termed Spray-O-Matic, is one of the most efficient ever devised for so precise a mechanism as a motion picture projector. The entire area of this sealed drive compartment is sprayed continually by a fine film of oil which reaches every drive unit down to the last gear tooth. Still, not a drop of oil can reach the film. The oil-feed unit is simplicity itself, comprising a high-speed pump, a filter and a pipe. An oil gauge, having a petcock for drainage, indicates the oil level at a glance. Simplex engineers relate how the projectionist in one of the theaters which tested the X-L mechanism for more than a year stated that the petcock was of little use, since he hadn't changed the oil for 16 months and it still was so clean that he could "almost drink it." New Conical Shutter One of the most radical departures from conventional projection practice is the conical shutter used in the Simplex X-L. This single-unit, built-in rear shutter is so positioned as to intercept the light beam at its narrowest point — only 1% inch from the aperture. This new design is held to effect the maximum transmission and the sharpest defined cutoff of light yet achieved in any projector, with fewer parts, less gearing, and quieter operation. To attain comparable results with the conventional dual shutter, Simplex engineers state, would require multiple moving parts and more gearing, and it would be necessary to reduce the shutter blade width and risk introducing travelghost in the screen image. The extremely close positioning of this simplified shutter to the aperture enables it to serve another important purpose, since it carries on its film side a series of small vanes which effectively splay cooling air over both the aperture and the film. Adjustment of this conical shutter is easily accomplished on the Simplex X-L by merely turning a knurled knob atop the projector housing. Eliminated is the 14 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • February 1950