REPORT ON (Sanitized) MLT 1540 STATUS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05171A000400030028-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 6, 2005
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: October 6, 1971
• Content Type: MF

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NPIC/TSG-209/71
~; OCT 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director, NPIC
SUBJECT Report on
1. In June 1970, a contract was negotiated with
MLT 1540 Status
for the pro-
uc i.cn o a total of 440 light tables. Of this total,
267 units were purchased for NPIC. All of the ;'TIC units
have now been delivered. A detailed breakdown by component
of the total purchase package is attached.
2. The first units delivered exhibited a number of
minor engineering design problems and gave considerable
evidence of poor quality control during the assembly and
inspection stages. Through the cooperative efforts of ESD,
RED, and SCEPB/SS, pressure was brought to bear on the con-
tractor to rectify these discrepancies within the terms of
the production contract.
3. By Hay 1971, the major problems had been brought
under control to the extent that the units, in the main,
were in operable condition for the arrival of the first
Prior to this time, the units had undergone
considerable operational use within IEG on other imagery.
As anticipated, a number of engineering "bugs"' were surfaced
under this continuous operational utilization. Engineering
fixes were made as expeditiously as possible--soi.me units
being modified in-house while others were re-fitted prior
to delivery.
4. These engineering modifications range from minor
items (such as increasing the capacity of certain resistors
and switching to "slow blow" fuses) to the major redesign
and upgrading of certain electronic components in the illu-
mination control system circuit boards. Also accomplished
was an improvement in the internal ventilation of the table
required to reduce electronic failures due to excess heat.
The majority of these breakdowns were minor and resulted in
the operational loss of the tables for only short periods of
time. however, through a constant analysis of equipment
failures and with engineering changes being quickly incor-
porated where the failures have been repetitive rather than
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random, the overall tables have been considerably upgraded
and should have generally improved service life as a con-
sequence. A detailed breakdown.covering the type, and sig-
nificance of these maintenance problems is attached.
5. One of the areas of initial TSG concern was the now
(unproven) light source--there were a number of early lamp
failures. These failures were apparently due to defective
tubes. Data gathered to date has not surfaced a significant
problem with only 20 la,,-.-.as having to be replaced. There
may be additional areas of component failure surfaced as
operational hours build up on the equipment; however, there
is no way of predicting which items (or when) on the basis
of our present limited operational history. ESD's preven-
tive maintenance program which started on 1 Septerber, with
21 units serviced as of 23 September, should help minimize
future down time; however, there is currently no indication
of a decrease in failure rate. There are presently 10 in-
operative units in IIG awaiting spare parts and six addi-
tional tables in use which are not at optimum condition due
to lack of replacement parts. Every effort is being made to
expedite delivery of replacements for the components involved.
6. There remain three areas of concern: (1) vibration,
(2) defocusing (when scanning) , and (3) high magnification
viewing. These problems are difficult to completely solve
because they are basically interrelated.
a. Vibration causes a blurring of the image and
a loss of resolution as observed through the optics.
The problem is being studied by Towards 25
this end, a new (stiffer) beam has been designed and
soon will be put under test and evaluation; this should
minimize the problem. The problem has been partially
solved by LSD, on an interim basis, by clas=ping the
current bear--thereby shortening its effective length.
however, this restricts the X travel of the stereo-
scope. Investigative work is continuing in this area.
b. Some defocus problems have occurred when the
inicrostereoscope is moved over the total imagery format
at higher magnifications. Proper focus, and its reten-
tion, is a function of (1) proper focusing procedures
by the operator, (2) proper alit nrent of the table and
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microstereoscope components, and (3) the inherent
depth of focus of the objective lens---this decreases
as magnification increases. TSG has studied this
problem and we will be making a detailed report to
IEG in the near future. Solution of this problem lies
in reducing the individual contributing sources of
error to a minimum. ESD has already taken care of
those problems which are correctible through alignment,
while RED is inves ,~igatirg some minor engineering
modifications to the Zoom 240/Nod 28 Rhomboids viewing
system and to the 1540 microscope mount. The need for
additional operator training is evident.
c. The high quality of the acid the
newness of the detail observed have combined to lead
the PI's to view the imagery at magnifications which
were never anticipated; i.e., l5x to 120x vice 7x to
60x (with most viewing to be done below 30x magnifica-
tion). The higher ranges were never encompassed in
the design of the 1540. It is doubtful that they
should be. A number of interim solutions are cur-
rently under investigation to permit IE.G to extend
the magnification range to the extent practical. In
this area, too, a detailed report is being prepared
for IEG.
7. At this point, it is essential to reemphasize that
these problems, along with other factors (such as film flat-
ness) , are highly interrelated. . If these higher magnifica-
tion ranges are, in fact, desirable, then the optical viewing
system and the light table must be treated as a total system
and designed in unison for the best overall compromise. Vi-
bration, depth-of-focus, illumination intensity, film flat-
ness, field-of-view, eye relief, all come in to play and
make the problem more difficult as optical mma reification is
increased. Some recently completed work has given
us new insight into the part the eye plays in this problem.
Other parametric studies will determine the optical charac-
teristics required in such an optimized viewing; system. It
is predictable that certain of these factors can be taken
care of by modifications to existing equipment; however,
further emphasis on the upper magnification range will re-
quire the Center's giving serious consideration to a second
generation viewing system or a studied move from roll to cut
film for certain critical applications.
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IS MLT 1540 Status
8. Summary data from our computer based failure record
system are attached.
Attachment:
As stated
Distribution:
Original Addressee
1 - ~dPIC/TSG/RED
2 - - 11PIC/TSG/Chief
2 - NPIC/TSG/ESD
NPIC/TSG/ESD I
k6 Oct. 71)
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Attachment to
NPIC/TSG-209/71
Summar Data on
1. Delivery status under the NPIC joint procurement
contract.
COMPONENT QUANTITY
NPIC 267
Navy 11
Army
STATUS
Delivered
Delivered
Delivered
Delivered
No information
available at
present (8
passed through
NPIC receiving
inspection)
DIA 46 To be modified
by contractor
before delivery
(10 in
2. During the period 1 February 1971 through 31
August 1971, 482 failures occurred. The corrective main-
tenance required has been classified into three groups;
those repairs which required new or modified parts, those
which required an adjustment, and miscellaneous repairs.
Explanatory notes (numbers in parenthesis) are presented
for items having the greatest frequency of occurance.
REPAIRS iMICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PARTS
QUANTITY ITEM REPLACED
5 Bearing
3 Control Box
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tQUUANTITY
ITEM REPI.?ACEED
Fuse (1)
Gear
Knob
Lamp (2)
Latch
Motor
Pin (3)
Printed Circuit (4)
Transistor (5)
Transistor t', Fuse
Transformer
Switch
Multiple Components
due to heat (6)
Other Replacements
REPAIRS r`,'I?ICII REQUIREDADJUSTI' NTS
( JANTITY
8
31
11
1
1
2
8
5
25
72
13
26
MISCELLANEOUS' REPAIRS
20
5
5
ITEM ADJUSTED
Chain
Clutch (7)
Defective Connections
File; Guides
Gears, Align
Glass, Level
Mercury Switch
Rollers
Tach (8)
Tighten Loose Knobs,
Switches, Covers,
etc. (9)
Pod Clamps
Other Adjustments
Lubrication
Misc.- Service
Operator Lrror
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(1) Fuses (48)
(2) Lamps (20)
(3) Pins(24)
F YP) A ATOPY i--X)T,`c
The type of fuse now being used has
been changed from a fast blow type to
a slow blow type,
under warranty. This is a relatively
low anount considering there are 24
per table.
Picts are designed to shear rather than
damage motor gears. 0 clains operators
do not seat the film stools properly
before using motor drive.
(4) Printed 11 `>r -rd,=
t
e %
Circuits (42) - Listed as replacements,
for the most part were repaired by re
placing defective components on the
card. Cards have to he returned to
for repair due to the lack of spare
pars.
Transistors (24) - Failures are being analyzed by
0
Multiple Com-
ponents due to
Heat (18) has installed modifications to
eliminate this problei-, Probleri hasn't
occurred (for 3 months) since nodifi-
cations were installed (Tara. 3G.. s! Se.).
(7) Clutch
Adjustments (31)~is supposedly correcting this problem
by improved quality co xtrol.
(8) .Tack
Adjustments (2S) -las so far been a one time adjustment.
(9) Loose Knobs,
Switches;
Covers, etc.
(72)
= has started using Loctite on set
screws. Pepairs clone in-house have
been a one time adjustment.
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