Projection engineering (Jan-Dec 1931)

Page 28 PROJECTION ENGINEERING FILM MEASURING MACHINE Theatre Engineering Service Co., Ltd., of Hollywood, Calif., announce their new T.E.S. Precision film measuring machine, which has many desirable features^ among these being a heavy cast-iron base with rubber feet, allowing the machine to be placed on a work-bench and film measured without the annoyance of the machine moving during this process. This new measuring machine has a large 64-tooth sprocket constructed of duralumin ; and, although this sprocket is twice as large as those generally used, the weight has been kept to an absolute minimum, making starting and stopping much easier. The sprocket is supported on two bearings, and is directly connected to the counter, thus eliminating all gears. Frame numbers are engraved on the edge of the sprocket. The base and the sprocket are so constructed that when the machine is placed over a light on the workbench, it permits of the frame lines being distinguished without removing the film from the sprocket. The counter is placed at a 30-degree angle, making it easier to see at all times. The base is finished in black crystal-lac enamel, while all other parts are nickelplated. T.E.S. Precision film measuring machines are being distributed throughout the United States through the National Theatre Supply Co. ▲ HOME TALKIES Oroscope is the offering of the OroTone Company of Chicago. It is a self contained combination radio-phonographhome talkie, projecting either silent or sound pictures and adjustable for 78 or 33% r. p. m. AMPRO TALKER Ampro, is arranging for a_ New _ York demonstration of its new talkie projector, which is designed for industrial and educational fields. ▲ STEWART WARNER EXPANSION Stewart Warner Company of Chicago has progressed from speedometer, then radio manufacture, and will now follow with the production of an amateur movie camera with the manufacture of a projector. TWO PHOTOLYTIC CELLS DEVELOPED BY ARCTURUS Two new Photolytic cells, designated as Tvpe P-23 and P-27 and designed especially for use in equipment where space is limited, yet maintaining the photo-sensitive area, have been placed on the market by the Arcturus Radio Tube Co. of Newark. Because of the ruggedness and principle of the photolytic cell, these units are nonmicrophonic and require no polarizing potential, the company claims. Background noise is eliminated and because of the extremely low impedance of these cells there is no pickup of parasitic noises. The high sensitivity of these cells provides an exceptional audio frequency response which is characteristic of the Photolytic principle, it is said. A new folder describing the complete line of photolytic cells has just been issued by the company. EASY WAY TO ADJUST SIMPLEX REAR SHUTTER A practical and simple method of determining when the rear shutter on the new Simplex machine is in a neutral position, has been worked out by Max Silverman, projectionist. Ever since these machines were introduced, operators have had difficulty in 'placing the shutters in the neutral position. It has necessitated much trying to get the pilot light in just the right position, and then experimenting until the neutral position was found. • Following is the method which Silverman worked : There is a shaft that protrudes from the front of the machine where the original shutter was held in place. By the easiest means practical, place the blades of the rear shutter in a neutral position. Then with white paint make a little arrow on the hub of the shaft in front. This arrow will at all times indicate the 'position of the blades of the rear shutter, and when the arrow is directly in front the blades will be in neutral. A RCA PHOTOPHONE ABROAD Patrons of motion picture theatres in England, France and Italy are more particular about the quality oi sound reproduction than are the patrons of theatres in the United States, according to M. C. Batsel, chief engineer of RCA Photophone, Inc., who has just returned from a five weeks' business trip abroad. American made pictures are the backbone of the industry in each of those countries, although local producing corporations are beginning to become more active. With one exception, seven of the eight large studios in England record by the RCA Photophone system and the two principal studios in both France and Italy employ the Photophone method. "The installation of sound reproducing apparatus in the motion picture theatres of England, France and Italy is progressing rapidly with a definite demand for equipment that will deliver sound of high quality." said Mr. Batsel. "The people have become sound conscious and as a result inferior sound apparatus is being replaced. Theatres which do not offer good sound are empty and those that have good sound are enjoying excellent patronage. In Italy the demand is for quality musical sound reproduction. A well-scored picture will play to good business. A poorly scored picture will starve." VOLUME CONTROLS The Clarostat Manufacturing Company, Inc., 285 N. 6th Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., offers a graphite unit which includes a positive rolling contact. A rotating movement is given to the roller contact (c) by means of a small pinion Cp) attached to the contact roller, engaging gear track (g) NEW PORTABLE RECORDER DEVELOPED BY RCA PHOTOPHONE A new portable sound recording equipment for use in connection with the Mitchell camera, and designed for greater efficiency in location and newsreel work, has been produced by RCA Photophone in collaboration with Westinghouse and General Electric. Entire equipment weighs less than 400 pounds. A feature of this apparatus is the adoption of the single system of recording by means of which the sound is recorded upon the film 19^2 frames in advance of the exposure of the picture, which makes possible the immediate reproduction of the subject after it has ben developed and printed. A HORN FOR PUBLIC ADDRESS A new two-unit, six foot trumpet is announced by the Racon Electric Company, 18 Washington Place, New York, which will find wide application in the public-address and sound field. It has a 30-inch bell, round, length 54 inches. It has a metal beaded edge, cast aluminum throat section, moulded in the periphery of resistance element (r). Turning the knob imparts a rotary motion to the contact arm. A smooth, positive contact is assured over the length of the resistance surface. loose counlings for units, and is demountable. It is equipped to operate with two units. The weight is 22 pounds. POTENTIOMETERS The Dejur-Amsco Corporation, 95 Morton Street, New York, state that the electrical features of that company's heavy duty rheostats and potentiometers are made possible by refinements in mechanical structure. The resistance wire is wound over three layers of .015 inch (per layer) asbestos covering on a steel core. The anchorage is permanent and of low electrical resistance. The Alleghany metal arm is of special design, providing an unwearing pressure upon the resistance wire of ten pounds to the square inch. The contact between the bushing and the contact arm is under a constant pressure of twenty pounds, and the current is carried both by the bushing and the shorted-out section of the rheostat, with the definite elimination of microphonic effects associated with resistance variations in ordinary rheostats. BEACON PROJECTOR The Beacon projector, manufactured by the Beacon Projector Co., 521 West 57th Street, New York, is equipped to take standard size 35 mm. film. The Beacon standard lighting equipment is a 300 watt ■ — no volt projection lamp and the motive power is a no volt universal motor taking either direct or alternating current. Equipment for use with a 32 volt farm lighting circuit or an automobile storage" battery can be furnished. The Beacon is also equipped with a hand drive. FILM REELS A new series of sound film reels is being marketed by the Universal Electric Welding Co. These reels are spot welded, have no brazing screws, clamps or paint. Sizes vary from 16mm. to 70mm. in 1,000 and 2,000 foot capacities. Aside from their rugged construction and light weight, the reels are designed to offer the least film friction, thus adding long life to the print by eliminating possibility of film damage.