STAFF STUDY -(Sanitized) PROPOSAL TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF A CONTINUOUS OPEN-GATE CONTACT PRINTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A000900010020-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2001
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: February 11, 1964
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Relese 2001/I PE7Q4747AOOJ900010020-0
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11 February 1964
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, Technical Development Committee
THROUGH Executive Secretary, TDC
SUBJECT Staff Study - Proposal to Study the 25X1A
Feasibility of a Continuous Open-Gate Contact Printer
REFERENCE Proposal of 16 January 1964
To establish the feasibility of achieving and maintaining near absolute
contact between negatives and print materials on a flat plane, in an "open-
gate" Photographic contact printer, for the purpose of eliminating the image
degrading effects of curved formats, imperfect contact between films and
refractive surfaces in the light path.
2. FACTS:
a. Aerial photographic acquisition equipment, techniques and materials
will soon be capable of producing original negatives containing intelligence
information at spatial frequencies up to 200 cys/mm. Due to physical image
attenuation introduced by the atmosphere, vibration and other elements of the
photographic system, such high resolution imagery is invariably of low ampli-
tude modulation.
b. Such frequencies at low amplitude modulation demand the highest feasi-
ble modulation transfer function to achieve duplicate reproductions with minimum
loss of information. To the present, virtually all contact prints are being
produced by means of a continuous strip printing technique in which the original
and duplicate material are brought into contact under tension over a revolving
drum and exposed from a light source directed towards the drum outer surface
through a slit aperture. Most other printing methods make use of flat glass
platens on which the original and print film are brought into contact by pres-
sure. The drum system introduces Thmage distortion and transfer response losses
because of the difference in circumference of the respective negative and dupli-
cate film strands around the printing drum. Further, total intimacy of contact
between the two films is not achieved by this system because of unsmooth sur-
faces inherent in silver halide emulsions. Glass platen systems offer several
advantages of operational flexibility over revolving drum printers but intro-
duce other disadvantages, including light scattering effects of glass surfaces
in the light path. It also introduces additional surfaces succeptible to
scratches and accumulation of dust particles, as well as increased likelihood
of newton rings that seriously degrade image quality.
Declass Review by NIMA / DoD
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c. Other undesirable characteristics of the drum type printer are that
the system does not lend itself to selective printing of single frames or
multiple printing of selected frames. Further, and more important, it would
be difficult to incorporate automatic exposure control. Inclusion of auto-
matic dodging in the system would be even more difficult.
3. DISCUSSION:
a. In years past, the fidelity of image transfer by contact printing has
rarely been questioned because almost any method satisfied the relatively low
resolution demands and no precise methods of image evaluation had been devised.
As a result, little effort was expended on new and improved concepts. However,
the advent of ultra small scale photography of very low contrast, critical
measurement techniques and improved materials have contributed to an awareness
of various shortcomings in the most commonly used printing equipment and
techniques.
b. An analysis of fidelity transfer requirements and the shortcomings of
present printing equipment has motivated investigation of other contact print-
-,Wi ing concepts that may eliminate known deficiencies and achieve the maximum
modulation transfer function. One of the principle concepts considered is an
open-gate method by which the original negative and print material are held
flat, in near absolute contact, by some mutual attraction such as electro-
statics, vacuum, adhesive fluids or by some combination of methods that obviate
the need for hard support in the image format area.
c. The drum type printer previously mentioned carries the original nega-
tive and print material over a curved surface in sandwich form to achieve film
contact without glass tu.rfaces in the light path. In doing so, however, it
introduces known image distortions that can only be eliminated by holding the
two films flat in the exposure area. Furthermore, the drum printer is designed
to achieve only nominal contact between the two films, without regard for in-
herent irregularities in emulsion surfaces. This is necessary by that concept
to avoid newton rings and excessive tension on the respective film webs. It,
therefore, becomes obvious that to achieve significant advances in the state-of-
the-art requires investigation and development of new concepts.
d. Advantages to be gained by an open-gate aperture are not
contact printing. Even greater advantages may accrue from uses
enlargers and viewing equipment.
limited to
in photographic
25X1A
e. Another area of investigation not specifically included in
proposal, but intimately related to the effort, is that of electrostatic exclu-
sion or removal of dust from the printing aperture. It has long been known that
dust is attracted to film surfaces by electrostatic attraction. It is consid,
ered that electrostatic principles may be advantageously utilized to trap or
repel dust at the film surface by electrostatic techniques. Because of its
close relationship to the problem at hand, this should be included as a part
of the total study effort.
25X1A f. has proposed to conduct a limited Phase A study
25X1A program at a fixed price of o analyze the limitations 6f current
printing technology and to establish the feasibility of new open-gate printing
concepts. The study of new technology will include electrostatics, vacuum and
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high pressure air techniques, as well as "liquid gate" technology including
materials with adhesive characteristics. Based on results of these studies,
a test plan will be developed to evaluate the most promising technology for
achievin desired results. Within 30 days after completion of the Phase A
study, proposes to submit the test plan and a proposal
for a Phase B extension to implement the test plan.
g. In next to the last paragraph of the proposal, they claim commer-
cial rights to all technology, know-how and inventions emanating from this
contract. The writer takes exception to this clause as written for the reasons
stated below.
(1) All concepts expressed in their proposal, with exception of
"adhesives" were suggested by the writer.
(2) The concept of dust removal by electrostatics, even though
not included in their proposal, was also that of the writer.
(3) Several of the benefits that may accrue from this effort will
most likely be applicable to many items of present and future equipment
employed by the exploitation community. Under the circumstances, it
would appear quite unfair to allow one company to retain such.monopo-
listic rights to knowledge gained from Government employees during pre-
liminary technical negotiations and later at Government expense.
2+. CONCLUSIONS:
a. Contact printing equipment and techniques have failed to keep pace with
state-of-the-art requirements from viewpoints of maximal modulation transfer
and operational characteristics.
b. The operational and modulation transfer deficiencies of existing con-
tact printing equipment and procedures demand investigation and development of
new printing concepts.
c. Investigation of the proposed open-gate contact printing concepts appear
sound and should be pursued.
d. The feasibility of employing electrostatics to exclude or repel dust
particles from film surfaces should be included as a part of the proposed study
program.
e. Additional benefits may accrue from this investigation that will be of
use in photographic enlargers and film viewers.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS:
a. The study as proposed be extended in scope to include the
feasibility of employing electrostatics to exclude or repel dust particles from
film surfaces.
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b. That the proposal be accepted with the provision
that the last sentence of next to the last paragraph be stricken and that a
contract be negotiated on a CPFF basis, in lieu of fixed price, appropriately
adjusted to include the added study requirement recommended above. The total 25X1A
phase A program is estimated to cost approximately 25X1A
Development Branch, P&DS
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