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construction and operation. While they were styled "machines," the actuation of these devices presented a manual, rather than a mechanical, process. Splicing was accomplished in the same manner as by hand, excepting that the two ends of the film to be joined were clamped securely after the application of the cement. Some of the devices had pilot pins as an aid in locating the film ends in relation to the perforations ; but, while the pins aided registration in the newer or prime stock, they really were a detriment in the splicing of shrunken film. Most of these earlier hand operated splicing devices were referred to as splicing clamps, splicing blocks, splicing presses, film menders, etc., for the reason that they were considered to embody the advanced feature enabling the application of pressure during the splicing operation. The kind of splices usually made varied from 1/8" to 1/4" in width, and the thickness approximately .011.
The splice overlapping as much as }/i or even 3/16 of an inch soon becomes hard and inelastic; because, in applying moisture and cement to this excessive width, the film base softens, and in due time hardens; in which latter condition it does not readily conform to the curvature of the projector or printing machine sprockets, and by improper spacing between the perforations frequently " jumps" the sprockets altogether. Its lack of flexibility weakens the film by preventing the yielding but tenacious contact that is a necessary requisite to a good bond, and, further, often causes the film to break parallel to the splice.
The motion picture producers and laboratories have always been untiring in their efforts to produce a film of the highest attainable quality, and great credit is due to them for the progress attained, but, unfortunately, these excellent films, which, with proper handling, would last as long as the subjects, seldom make much headway toward longevity. This, in the main, may be attributed to obsolete and antequated methods of handling — including, principally, the operation of splicing in a great many theatres and exchanges of the present day. Because these methods are crude and costly, they have no place in the processing routine of a great Industry, and the sooner they are entirely supplanted the sooner shall we have lower distribution and replacement costs and exceptionally better and pleasing projection results.
Results with Semi-Automatic Film Splicing Machine
The development of a practical film splicing machine presented problems quite as intricate as those of its allies: the printing machine, the perforator, the camera, and the projector, and its present degree of perfection was obtained only after considerable experimenting. The first essential, constantly kept in view, was a mechanism to take the uncertainty out of splicing and make the joint an element of strength, rather than one of weakness — at the same time, combining accuracy and efficiency.
A cut of the first, really practical semi-automatic film splicing machine is appended hereto. This machine is interchangeable for either negative or positive joining, and adjustable for any desired width of splice. As to quantity of output, a beginner is enabled to
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