(Sanitized) FILM PROCESSOR,(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A001400010019-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 24, 2012
• Sequence Number: 19
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01400010019-6
This specification covers an automatic, self-threading
photographic processor capable of processing various black-and-white
negative and positive films at speeds between 2 and 15 feet per
minute. The processor shall be capable of processing materials in
the following sizes:
Sheet film - all sizes from 4x5 inches through 11x14 inches
Camera roll film - all normal camera sizes
Continuous length roll rilm - all widths from 16mm to 9z
inches wide in any length that can be accommodated in an
A-9 magazine or processing magazines.
NOTE: No more than 5 inches of leader will be permitted as a
requirement for threading any of the above products into
or through the processor.
OPERATOR REQUIREMENT
The processor shall be designed to permit a single
operator to fulfill all requirements. during processing operations.
The designed operator shall not require specialized
trainin, but shall be capable of operating the iiac.hine with a
minimum amount of orientation instruction. Special knowledge of
photographic processing, etc, shall not be required.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
The basic processor shall not exceed 37 7/8 inches in
length, 25 3/8 inches in width and 52 3/16 inches in height. adapters
to provide for horizontal feed and takeup shall not exceed 30 inches
in length. The processor shall be capable of accommodating the
magazine adapter for vertical feed. [.hen these
verti.ca ee a apters are used, the height of the processor shall
not exceed 62 inches. Naximum weight without solutions shall not
exceed 600 pounds.
No more than b% square feet of floor space shall be
required for installation of the processor, although additional space
may be utilized for floor-mounted thirty-gallon replenisher storace
tanks. For operation and servicing of the processor, space require-
ments shall not exceed two feet on the control. side and both ends of
the processor.
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OPERATIONAL REgUIP.E.1ENTS
The processor shall be designed so as to be capable of
handling sheet film with no more than 13 inches consisting of the
feed tray in the darkroom. The remainder of Fire machine shall be
in norrlal room light.
By the addition of accessory devices the -- chine shall
be capable of processing roll film. The processor shall ^r.ept the
following roll film accessories::
STATINTL 1. Roll Feed .\dapter and Moll Take-up %darter
for end loa no an Lace-up. tcith these accessories the feed end of
the Processor must be installed in a darkroom.
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2. (Roll Feed and Take-up `adapters providing
room light operation tor t entire machine by use of the
jor A-9 Processing Kaeazine.
3. . top loadin:: and take-up accessory using modified
n en ioading or take-up accessories.
magazines for daylitht operation where space prevrnts use
In either ;node of operation the -processor shall be capable
of producing uniform development across the wniire lenzth and width
of sensitized material so as to meet or exceed cood commercial stan-
dards in all respects.
The output material shall be free from processor produced
mottle, streaking, development bars, water spats, etc, and show no
evidence of surface abrasion, digs, scratches, reticulation, etc.
All output material shall be capable of bein^ handled without darnane
following the drying state.
COMPONENT RFOUIREi,1EivTS
The processor shall consist of a self-thrtadin:, fi1.::
transport system for the processin and drying sections, a developer-
recirculation temperature-control system, developer sand fixer re-
plenishment syste^ms, tempered and metered wash-water svste::, dryer
controls connected and inteerated so as to form a complete, self-
contained processing unit.
The processor shall contain a minimum of four stainless
steel tanks to accommodate one state for developer, two stages for
fixer, and one for wash-water.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01400010019-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78B04747A001400010019-6
FILM TRANSPORT SYSTEM
The film transport. system shall consist of automatic
self-threading mechanisms which will transport the sensitized
materials from the film feed section, through the processing and
drying. sections to the take-up section. The transport system shall
be designed to provide smooth, positive transport and straight
tracking of all sensitized materials at all machine speeds. The de-
sign shall permit either wider or narrower film sizes to follow each
other through the processor with no tracking difficulty and with no
special attention by the operator..
The processor shall successfully transport continuous
roll film in multiple strands, i.e., three strands of 16 or 35mm
fil, two strands of 70mm film, or two strands of 5-inch film.
Furthermore, it shall be possible to transport simultaneously,
films of different widths, within the space limitations of the
processing cassette.
PROCESSING SYSTEM
Quantities of developer, fixer, and wash water shall be
sufficient to accommodate a processing rate of 8 feet per minute with
STATINTL a film such as Type 5401 -Plus-X Aerographic Film and maintain,
as a minimum, good commercial standards.
The agitation level attained at 15 feet per minute (+1 foot
per minute) shall equal or exceed that provided by intimate contact with
rollers at a frequency of 100 applications per minute.
The developer solution shall be thermostatically controlled
within -f-~ F of a manually preset temperature between 70 F and 90 F
in an ambient temperature not more than 10 F above operating temperatures.
To meet the above requirement, availability of water at
least 5 degrees below operating temperature may be assumed.
The developer shall be continuously recirculated through
a filter having a replaceable cartridge.
Arrangements shall be provided for automatic replenishment
of developing and fixing solutions during processing in proportion to
the length of film processed. The rate of replenishment shall be con-
trolled in accordance with the type, size and amount of film being
processed and the film transport speed. Flowmeters shall be provided
to give convenient visual evidence of the rate and time of replenishment.
The fixer shall be capable of being maintained at an equilib-
rium temperature approximating that of the developer.
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Each processing tank shall have a separate drain of not
less than one-half inch ifo operated by a readily accessible manually
operated dump valve. An-overflow-tray shall be provided to collect
excess solution from each tank and convey it to an appropriate drain.
All solution tanks shall be constructed of Type 316
stainless steel, while the processor frame and housing shall be of
Type 302 stainless or equivalent. Wnerever possible, all other com-
ponents-shall be fabricated of corrosion resistant materials, such
as Type 302 stainless steel or suitable plasti-cs. In addition, all
stainless steel splash areas are protected with an Epoxy based,
baked enamel coating.
All exposed moving parts such as chains, belts, and gears
shall be properly guarded for protection of the operator.
Access panels shall be provided which shall be readily
removable to provide easy access to the machine components.
MAIN DRIVE SYSTEM
The main drive motor shall be of a capacity sufficient
to operate the processor continuously at all speeds from 2 to 15 feet
per minute. The drive unit shall be a variaule speed type complete
with tachometer, transport speed meter, and speed controls located
so as to be operated by personnel even under darkroom conditions.
The tachometer shall consist of an electric generator
coupled to the drive motor or a suitable driven shaft.
The speed indicator shall be of the direct reading type
calibrated with the tachometer to measure tte film transport speed
in feet per minute. The dial of the speed indicator shall be illumi-
nated to permit reading in darkroom conditions.
FILM SUPPLY SEGTIUN
The processor shall oe designed to accept either sheet
film or roll film at the film supply section.
For sheet film and for camera roll film in short lengths,
the processor shall be designed to accept attachments or devices
suitable for guiding the film into the film transport mechanism so
that the material being processed will be in line with the axis of
the transport system.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01400010019-6
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plastic of not less than 1z inch IPS., which will permit connection to
a. floor drain, or by hose to some other appropriate drain.
CONTROL SYSTEM
The electrical control panel shall. be mounted on the
operating or feed end of the processor and shall include at least
the following:
1. Main drive switch
2. Replenisher pump switch
3. Developer recirculation switch
4. Dryer fan and heater switch
5. Film transport speed indicator
6. Control for film transport speed
Thermometers, replenisher flow indicators, and wash
water temperature regulators may be mounted on the feed or dryer end
of the processor in positions which are convenient loth to the source
of their functions and for easy readability by the operators.
Solution thermometers used in the processor design
shall be accurate to +1 F.
RADIO NOISE SUPPRESSION (Flectro Plagnetic Interference Test)
The Processor shall conform with military
spec No. MIL-1-16910A in t tie same manner as the
Filrn Processor
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
All electric wiring of the processor shall conform to
standards of the Underwriters Laboratories. :siring shall he in
suitable conduits or otherwise protected from splashed or dripping
chemical solutions to prevent damage to the equipment or danger
to operating personnel. Electrical wiring of the processor shall
be coded to permit electrical tracing.
The electrical power supply required by the processor
hall be 230 volts, 3 phase 3 wire, 60 cycle. It
s a i.nc u e a transformer to facilitate the operation of the
115 volt components.
115/208 volts, 60 cycle, 3 phase 4 wire.
The electrical power for thel Processor shall be
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01400010019-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO01400010019-6
The fixer section shall be equipped with an overflow line
to pernit connection to an existing silver recovery section.
The wash system shall be sufficient to attain a hypo con-
tent in the processed film which will meet ~?ood conuilercial standards
with negative and positive black-and-white films.
The wash water temperature shall be controlled by a
thermostatic mixing valve, which shall be capable of maintaining the
manually preset temperature to within +2 F. Wash water flow rate
shall be controlled automatically to provide a uniform flow of approxi-
mately 2 gallons per minute with pressure variations between 45 and
75 pounds per square inch.
The dryer section shall be an integral part of the proc-
essor through which the film shall he automatically transported.
Drying rates shall be adjustable by variation in temperature to
compensate for different processor speeds.
Air shall be discharged by means of an exhaust vent which
may be connected to an exhaust duct to carry the moisture-laden air
out of the room.
In the processing section means shall be provided to
minimize the amount of solution carried by the film from one tank
to the next and to eliminate exces3 surface water prior to drying.
All methods used to prevent carry-over of solutions or
removal of excess moisture shall be designed to prevent streaks,
scratches, digs or other abrasions in the sensitized materials.
TAKE-UP SECTION
For operation with sheet film, a suitable bin or collec-
tion device shall be provided to accumulate all sizes of sheet film
specified herein from 4x5 inches through llxl4 inches as it emerges
from the dryer section of the machine.
For operation with roll film, a suitable windup mechanism
shall be provided which can be readily attached or removed without
special tools or equipment. This windup mechanism shall take up a
continuous single roll or multiple rolls of film in smaller sizes.
The mechanism shall provide sufficient tension to wind the film
snugly without causing damage to the film.
DRAINS AND SUMPS
The drain from each processing tank shall flow into a
common sump into which the used wash water will also drain. The
drain line from this sump shall be of corrosion resistant steel or
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78B04747A001400010019-6
The total electrical load required to operate the
processor shall not exceed 12 kilowatts.
Audible signals shall be provided to indicate:
1. Two thicknesses of film accidentally fed
into the processor.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Each processor shall he accompanied by an instruction
manual which will provide instructions for installation and operation;
it will also contain wiring diagrams.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/04/24: CIA-RDP78B04747A001400010019-6