CONTACT DUPLICATING AND RESEAU PRINTER AND HIGH RESOLUTION STEP AND REPEAT PRINTER SEVENTH MONTHLY LETTER REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A001600040019-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 27, 2005
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: February 10, 1965
• Content Type: REPORT

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CONTACT DUPLICATING AND RESEAU PRINTER .y q 20f3
AND
HIGH RESOLUTION STEP AND REPEAT PRINTER-),
' Y 7 /f3
SEVENTH MONTHLY LETTER REPORT
February 10, 1965
Period: January 1, 1965 to February 1, 1965
STAT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section No. Page No.
1.0 CONTACT DUPLICATING AND RESEAU PRINTER. . . 1
1.1 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Activity of this Report Period . . . . 1
1.3 Plans for Next Report Period . . . . . 3
1.4 Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.5 Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.0 HIGH RESOLUTION STEP AND REPEAT PRINTER 5
2.1 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Activity of this Report Period . . . . 5
2.3 Plans for Next Report Period . . . . . 8
2.4 Problems . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . 8
2.5 Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.6 Questions Outstanding. . . . . . . . . 9
3.0 STATUS OF FUNDS . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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1.0 CONTACT DUPLICATING AND RESEAU PRINTER
1.1 Purpose
The overall objective of the current contract is the design,
fabrication, test, and delivery in fifteen months of a photo-
graphic Step and Repeat Contact Duplicating and Reseau Printer.
Prime design goals are high speed automatic operation, variable
format capability, and high resolution with minimum film dis-
tortion or damage. The deliverable equipment will be suitable
for operational use. The Printer will accommodate films of
70 mm to 9 1/211 width with frame lengths up to 30 inches and
will offer operation in the Reseau mode and Selective mode as
options.
1.2 Activity of this Report Period
Primary activity during the past month has been concentrated in
two areas -- exposure source with automatic control, and Industrial
Design plus human factors engineering. STAT
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In the first area, breadboard experiments conducted both at
and at the subcontractorls facility have refined the multiple
exposure source configuration to a point where capabilities and
limitations can now be evaluated. An arrangement of G.E. No. 1385
incandescent lamps and a similar arrangement of G.E. No. AR-1
Argon lamps have been utilized with a diffusion glass and a length
of blackened honeycomb collimator material. Levels of resolution,
uniformity, Reseau line printing, and dodging effectiveness have
been achieved, and are expected to satisfy customer requirements.
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The primary objectives have been to achieve dodging without
patterning, and without loss of resolution and Reseau line
acuity.
A meeting with our consultants, I Iwas held on STAT
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January 15th to assist in evaluation of several exposure source
and control systems in terms of sensitometry and practical imple-
mentation.
Several new concepts for pre-exposure and separate simultaneous
exposure of the Reseau grid have been considered and evaluated.
Advantages and disadvantages will be discussed with. the program
technical monitors at a future meeting. In the meantime, pro-
curement activities for the Reseau grid are underway and details
of the specification are being evaluated in terms of available
glass manufacture and the state of the art in ruling techniques.
The sensor and logic circuitry for automatic exposure control
has been breadboarded and is now awaiting final choice and con-
figuration of components based upon the intended exposure system.
A one-to-one ratio of sensors to lamps is anticipated, but further
experiments are necessary to define the limits of crosstalk, sen-
sor area, and spectral response.
In the second area,
has completed a full-size
mock-up of the intended printer in collaboration with
Although constructed primarily of wood
and cardboard, the mock-up is realistic and will be an invalu-
able tool in establishing operator functions, RFI sealing, en-
vironmental considerations, and maintenance accessibility.
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Control Panel functions and sequence of operations have been
determined and displayed on the model. Roll-out film transports
are operative, and the details of frame and cover construction
are now tentatively resolved.
1.3 Flans for Next Report Period
A meeting with the program technical monitors is planned with
two objectives in mind: to display and discuss the Industrial
Design mock-up described herein and the photographic results of
the breadboard testing program. At the meeting, a discussion
of alternate Reseau printing techniques is also planned.
Conceptual lay-outs of.the Pre-View and Punch Station are near-
ing completion and will be submitted to
during the coming report period.
and to STAT
A simulated target format for Printer evaluation has been deter-
mined and components for making the 9 1/211 x 3011 array are on
order. The format will include multiple resolution targets,
multiple step-wedges, and half-tone areas for determining uni-
formity of contact pressure.
Further investigations are underway to determine availability
of higher wattage argon sources to improve printing speed on
the slower duplicating films.
Final design and incorporation of the automatic exposure control
circuitry into the breadboard exposure system is planned pending
results-of the preliminary tests.
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1.4 Problems
Initial tests of the multiple exposure source have been promis-
ing; however, selection of an efficient light source is still
a problem. The small tungsten lamps tested generate large
amounts of heat which must be dissipated. They also present
additional problems in power switching at line voltages. Higher
wattage argon lamps and low voltage tungsten lamps will be pro-
cured and tested during the next reporting period.
1.5 Documentation
No major changes or clarifications to the Printer specification
were recorded during this report period with the exception of
verbal agreement. to assume 3 feet of working space on all sides
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to a pre-installed base for the Printer through which all utility
of the Printer at customer installation, and verbal agreement
connections will be made.
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2.0 HIGH RESOLUTION STEP AND REPEAT PRINTER
2.1 Purpose
The purpose of this effort is to design, fabricate, test, and
deliver in twenty months a high precision Step and Repeat Photo-
graphic Contact Printer. This Printer will be capable of pro-
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ducing photographic contact prints of the highest possible
quality, resolution, and acutance from roll films of width
varying from 70 mm to 9 1/27T and in pre-selected frame lengths
from 2 1/4TT up to a maximum of 30".
This program will include a six-month Feasibility Study followed
by a Breadboard Phase. Following design approval, a prototype
Printer will be produced in accordance with the Design Plan.
2.2 Activity of this Report Period
Additional breadboarding was started during this reporting period,
and all breadboard schedules and budgets were prepared. A sim-
plified PERT system has been initiated and is being used to
track daily progress. The following is a description of the
progress made in each breadboard area to date:
2.2.1 Exposure Control and Light Source
Black-light sample fluorescent lamps have been obtained from
General Electric for tests. Aperture-type sample lamps, both
black-light and red will be furnished in February by both
General Electric and Westinghouse. Two starting circuits for
D.C. operation have been tested and found to function; however,
circuit modifications are in process to improve starting reli-
ability.
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Preliminary resolution tests with a mock-up black-light lamp
have bee_., started and indicate that 400 lines/mm resolution is
obtainable along the length of the format but not along the
width. Additional .methods of source collimation are under in-
vestigation. Component parts for lamp voltage-reversal circuits
have been ordered, and delivery is on schedule.
Initial tests of the E.G.&G. photosensors indicate good output-
linearity over wide ranges of input light. When they were used
to measure low incident light, however, wide measurement toler-
a_:ces were evident which may present a problem. Further tests
are being conducted.
Fabrication of a scan i-,n lamphouse which will contain a U.V.
blacklig:t~- aperture fluorescent and a red aperture fluorescent
lamp is contemplated after initial optical configuration has
been determined. This lamphouse will later be mocked-up with
the breadboard gate and photosensor assembly for exposure con-
trol tests.
2.2.2 Film Drive and Transport
Most of the breadboard components have been selected and ordered
from vendors. Two methods of capstan drive are being considered:
a servo-control D.C. motor and a stepper motor drive.
Two motors for the spool drive will be tried: a series wound
D.C. motor and a Printed circuit motor.
Breadboard drawings are approximately 80% complete and fabrica-
io_L has been i:?i tiatea - is expected that breadboard tests
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A problem area presently exists in film edge sensing for edge
guiding. Two techniques are under investigation: a photoelec-
tric approach using four sensors and two differentiating circuits;
and a pneumatic or vacuum sensing technique which senses without
contacting the film.
All phases of the task are on schedule.
2.2.3 Film Gate
Film clearing-station drawings are 90% complete and all parts
have been ordered for the breadboard. An anti-static device
has been selected and ordered for testing.
The film gate capstan lift and lower mechanism has been designed,
and drawings are expected to be completed by mid-February.
Conceptual design for two basic gating mechanisms has been com-
pleted: These are: a rolling inflatable plastic cylinder and
a dual neoprene roller system. The first technique looks most
promising and is being pursued, with the second technique being
reserved as a back-up. Vendors are presently being sought as a
source of plastic material to meet the design objectives.
Procurement for the glass platen will be initiated in February.
2.2.4 Code Reader
A test fixture has been fabricated, and a film strip with test
codes has been prepared. A light source is under fabrication
and should be completed so that testing will start early in
February. One vendor's photosensor has been received for test,
but two from other vendors have not arrived on schedule; however,
the overall task should be completed on schedule.
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2.2.5 Electronic Packaging
A major decision in the selection of a microcircuit manufacturer
has held up the design phase of this study. Inability of the
manufacturers to deliver on schedule has prompted a rescheduling
of this task. It is expected that design will be initiated early
in February and will not cause slippage in other phases.
2.3 Plans for Next Report Period
Breadboard designs should be nearing completion and fabrication
started for most phases. It is contemplated that code reader
tests will be completed during February and that final assembly
of the film transport will be started.
2.4 Problems
Problems presently exist in the collimation of the fluorescent
source and in providing reliable lamp starting. Numerous cir-
cuits and collimation techniques will be tested in February.
An adequate anti-Newton fringe coating has not yet been found
which will withstand the abrasion of the film. Additional coat-
ing manufacturers will be contacted during the coming period.
2.5 Documentation
At a meeting with the technical monitor held in Washington on
January 27, 1965, the following decisions were made on film
coding:
2.5.1 Film frames will be numbered consecutively starting
with Number 1 in ascending order.
2.5.2 The outside frame of the film roll, as normally
spooled, will be Frame No. 1.
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2.5.3 The clear spacing between frames will vary widely
in spacing,
2.5.4 The film edge to be coded will be clear for the
entire length of the film.
2.5.5 Image orientation for viewing the film during en-
coding i s of no importance,
2.5.6 Both edges of a --,,I 70 rmmm film will always be clear
for approximately 1/4 inch along the entire length
of the roll,
2.5.7 One edge of all 9-1/2 inch film will always be clear
for i/2+0/8 inches along the entire length of the
roll. When the film is unrolled from left to right,
as normally spooled, and the film is held such that
it is viewed through the base, the clear edge will
be along the bottom.
2.6 Questions Outstanding
2.6.1 List of soool sizes a-.-_d format dimensions to be
furnished by the technical monitor. These are
urgently needed to complete industrial design studies
and in design considerations in film transport and
masking.
2.6.2 Document procurement to be furnished by the technical
monitor:
AD-439 600L Test and Evaluate the Kalvar 70 mm and
5 Inch Roll to Roll Contact Printer/
Processor `EN-85)
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This is of -Particular interest because of similar
collimation problems encountered with a tubular
light source.
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