Our new 35mm film perforating machine

MirkoBoeddecker

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] We recently had the pleasure of collecting our completely rebuilt 35mm film perforating and marking machine. We are therefore proud to announce that we are now working on the ‘world’s newest film perforating machine’. This naturally implies the very likely assumption that no one else in the world is crazy enough to build a new 35mm film perforating machine. At any rate, I don’t know of anyone. Our ‘beauty’ was completely dismantled by its original builder over a period of 13 months; all mechanical parts were overhauled or remade, the chassis repainted, and everything reassembled. In fact, it was actually two donor machines from our collection that have now been combined. The machine is an example of the heyday of mechanical engineering in Germany. According to the original manufacturer, there is no one left today who could build something like this. The punching tools and the die are manufactured to an accuracy of 2 thousandths of a millimetre over a length of 9 mm. The toolmakers had to practise for over 30 years to achieve this. This is no longer necessary today, as electronics are usually used instead. That is why it is now only possible to have existing tools and machines rebuilt there. The machine has four index pins and is so precise that it can also be used to perforate positive or negative cinema film. This means that the perforation holes are positioned relative to one another with an accuracy of 2/100 mm. [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] This is not necessary for standard photographic applications (where only two index pins are used), but we strive for a standard of manufacture that can stand up to comparison with any of the ‘big players’. [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] Best regards, Mirko One of the perforating machines: [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

TiMo

It’s always fascinating when you give us an insight into what you do. You should try to get recognised as a museum of industrial history. That would certainly lead to grants and so on. Are all those rollers and pulleys on the machine necessary to regulate the unwinding and rewinding speeds?

MirkoBoeddecker

There’s already a museum like that in Wolfen. Highly recommended! We’d rather make proper films :rolleyes: The unwinding is slowed down very simply using a copper loop covered in felt that wraps around a shaft. The take-up is driven with a lead-in via an oil clutch containing oil-thickening additives (silicones). All the rollers guide the film through its various stages. Unwinding, safety switch (no more film – stop), lead-in (loop), safety switch (loop too tight – machine stop), perforation, take-up (loop), transport, safety (stop if no longer held taut by film), film number marking and “Safety-Film” exposure (not loaded in the image), marking (image numbers, ADOX PAN XY), transport, dust extraction at the front, dust extraction at the rear, transport, winding. The emulsion does not come into contact with any of the rollers. Transport takes place only in the perforation area. Best regards, Mirko

rmrts

Hello, I’m always fascinated by precision mechanical machines like this. Question: What is the function of the large roller at the bottom right in the two detailed images? Is it for printing? Addendum: Is the machine ‘only’ for 135 film, or can other formats be punched as well? For example, 110 film? I suspect, however, that this isn’t possible. Best regards, Reinhold

gurkensaft

It’s great to read that you’re sparing no expense or effort in investing in the analogue future. I think your success will prove you right. It’s brilliant that you keep letting us take a peek behind the scenes. Best wishes from the Allgäu and have a lovely Sunday, Torsten

cfb_de

Mirko, That really is mechanical engineering at its very best. But what I like best is the Moselkiste to the left of it :D Best regards, Franz

AchimBauer

Hi Mirko, Now that nobody makes cameras like that anymore, it’s a real stroke of luck that you can at least still get them serviced. It always makes me happy to see that old-school film photography is still alive and kicking. Best wishes, Achim

MirkoBoeddecker

Question: What is the function of the large drum in the bottom right-hand corner of the two detailed images? Is it for labelling?

The silver-coloured drum is the one I referred to as ‘unloaded’ in the procedure description. It provides exposure of the batch number and, where applicable, an additional label such as ‘Safety Film’. The two black drums of different diameters provide exposure for the frame numbers (24 or 36 EXP.) and the film type. They also notch the film so that the automatic rewinder knows where frame 1 is.

Is the machine “only” for 135 film, or can other formats be punched as well? For example, 110 film?

The feed is controlled by a crankshaft which also drives the punching tool. This means nothing can become misaligned. With this level of precision, it is not feasible to do otherwise (without monitoring electronics). The “drawback” is that this machine can only punch 35mm perforations. We have separate machines for 16mm and Super 8. For 110, we have a machine that punches all the holes at once. Best regards, Mirko