Kinematograph year book (1927)

220 The Kinemafograph Year Book. 30 per cent, to 40 per cent, in the quality of illumination secured. Another feature is the easy access secured to the vital parts of the machine, which are also so constructed as to be instantly replacable. The intermittent movement, which is an entirely self-contained unit, is similarly easily replacable. Specially designed sprocket teeth are of great strength, but permit the film — even when worn — to leave the teeth with absolute freedom. Attached to the gate door is an adjusting roller which guides the film through the gate and ensures the correct positioning of any width of film. The spiral gears connecting the shutter spindle to the main driving spindle enatle the operator to eliminate " ghosts " even when running at full speed. The counter-balanced motor, with its direct drive, is another simplification which gives perfect reel tension. Special Ross lenses are fitted, giving a very high degree of correction. The Ross high intensity searchlight arc gives, with a current consumption of 60-70 amps., a brilliant picture, while maintaining the heat at the gate at a temperature no greater than that of an ordinary arc working a,t 60 amps, with a 4I in. condenser. THE SIMPLEX. The new double bearing Simplex projector introduced by J. Frank Brockliss, Ltd., last year has been in great demand ; quite a large number having been installed during the past twelve months, especially in some of the most recent super kinemas, two noteworthy installations being four machines at the Plaza and three at the Astoria in London. The intermittent movement is immersed in oil, and any wear is quickly taken up by turning a single eccentric bushing. It is easily accessible, and the complete movement may be removed in less than a minute. Bearings are enlarged and lengthened. A simple movement of a lever frames the picture, either when the machine is running or standing still, and as the shutter moves in unison with this lever, " travel ghost " is eliminated. The fire shutter is operated by a centrifugal governor which is absolutely dependable. The film tracks have four wearing surfaces equivalent to three extra pairs of tracks. A reflector in the lamphouse enables the operator to view the arc from his usual position at the machine. The Simplex is usually fitted with Hahn-Goerz mirror arcs, but an alternative illuminant, the Hall-Conelly high intensity arc, has also been largely adopted this year. A new lamp to this country, the Peerless arc, is another of the Brockliss features which also include the Power's speedometer — a very important device nowadays, that enables the musical director to have on his desk a dial that is in synchronisation with the speedometer in the projection room. FLICKERLESS PROJECTORS. After two years' experience under normal projection practice, the merits of the Arcadia non-intermittent projector are admitted by operators at one house, where the two machines have been running daily and have required no attention whatever. One other important point in their favour is the entire elimination of any possibility of fire. During the year the Carey-Gavey Syndicate exhibited a shutterless projector of continuous movement type at the Optical Convention, but it does not seem to have yet reached the market. Another flickerless product from the same firm embodied a patented PROJECTOR— MIRROR— HIGH INTENSITY CARBONS