Theatre Catalog (1949-50)

THE DRIVE SIDE, with glass panel in place and the oil fog working (above), and an intimate glassless view (below). The ‘‘Spray-O-Matic” lubricating system continuously sprays the entire sealed drive compartment with a film of oil. The simplified lower-friction gear train effects a noteworthy reduction in the mechanical load. Vibrationless precision operation over long periods of years was the objective. NTT ‘z 2 = = = = = | 2 = s ~ | Rvanntt . tion in speed of 33! per cent over ordinary sprockets. This increase in the number of sprocket teeth has two easily recognizable advantages. First of all, the greater radius makes a wider bend and better wrap of the film possible, minimizes the danger of weak patches coming apart, and eases the transit of damaged film. Secondly, the reduction in speed should effect a substantial decrease in sprocket, gear, and bearing wear. Both sprocket assemblies are unit-constructed to aid improved performance and easier maintenance. The main gear drive assembly of the Simplex X-L, a single vertical unit, has been greatly simplified and operates in sealed ball bearings. This factor is said to effect a reduction in mechanical load over conventional practice of 80 per cent at the start and of 6624 per cent while the mechanism is running. In view of the fact that a sizeable majority of projector breakdowns are caused by excessive mechanical load in both starting and running the mechanism, the Simplex X-L gear assembly should practically eliminate gear stripping and bring about a radical decrease in running wear and operating costs. The gear train as a whole turns on sealed ball bearings, for sleeve bearings have been eliminated entirely. Friction is completely suppressed, so the mechanical load over-all is considerably reduced. The gears in this assembly are formed of case-hardened, polished steel, meshed with a phenolic fabric made especially for gears. An important contribution to long gear life is found in the fact that, during the necessary frequent framing operation, all gear teeth always mesh with the same mated gear to effect an even distribution of wear for all teeth. Intermittent Design The newly designed intermittent movement of the Simplex X-L features a flywheel mounted directly on the cam to enable elimination of intermediate gearing and to provide less wear, quieter operation, and greatly reduced maintenance costs. A film of filtered oil flows evenly over all working surfaces and does away with every particle of foreign substance without permitting a single drop of oil to reach the film. The frame lock indicator, one of the best operating aids ever developed, represents another projection “first,” since previously no projector embodied a sure means for determining whether or not the star and cam of the intermittent movement were in a true locked position, a vital requisite for correct framing. The distinct white lines and pointer on the knob at the fore end of the intermittent movement of the Simplex X-L provide instant visible evidence of a positive lock between star and cam. Film Gate and Trap Assembly The film gate of the Simplex X-L marks still another advance in projection practice. The extra-long tension shoes, which are practically self-adjustable laterally to accommodate yarying film widths, exert an equally exact tension on both edges of the film. The knob lettered “Increase” operates a five-step control which locks at each THEATRE CATALOG 1949-50