We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 79
and roll-to-roll variations are to be avoided. Secondly, it is quite impossible to use such equipment for the mass production of films in the quantities handled by modern laboratories.
Because of this it is now universal practice to employ continuous processing machines whenever possible and when the film output justifies the considerable installation expenses. These machines are designed to process and dry 35-mm film of any length continuously, each roll being joined to its predecessor while the machine is running. All continuous processing machines may be divided into four main sections as follows: -(a) The feed spools, splicing and feed elevators, (b) The processing tanks, together with the film transport racks, (c) the film squeegee, drying cabinets and heating system and, (d) The film take-up elevator, the take-up mechanism and the take-up roll. Taken in this order it is possible to describe the machine whilst tracing the path of the film through the process.
The details of any one machine may differ considerably from those of another. The following description is not intended to be of any well-known commercial machine, but merely to illustrate general methods and principles. A fairly small basic mechanism has been selected for this purpose which, admittedly, does not compare with the very latest laboratory equipment.
The general arrangement of this 'demonstration equipment' is seen in Figure 33. It consists essentially of a wooden tank, divided into a series of smaller compartments, each being watertight from its neighbours. A series of half-bearings, machined in a metal frame mounted on these tanks, serves to support the racks which carry the film through the solutions. The film spools, splicing table and feed elevators serving the 'supply' end of the machine are located to the left of these tanks as shown. The purpose of this section is to enable rolls of film to be spliced together and fed continuously through the tanks without interruption. After passing through the last processing tank, shown on the right, the film is fed through an air squeegee and into the drying cabinet. From this cabinet the film passes to the take-up elevator and take-up spool these act in the reverse sense to the feeding mechanism and enable films to be removed without interrupting the continuity of the process.
Since these machines are required to run continuously, arrangements must be made to keep them loaded with film both before and after processing actually takes place. For this purpose clear film base such as 'Kodak No. 6' Machine Leader, considerably stronger than that normally used for photographic purposes, is