Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Metric ultrasonic splicer adjustment

This is topic Metric ultrasonic splicer adjustment in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 04-22-2002, 06:19 PM:

I love this forum. Cannnot wait to get my booth pictires uploaded. Anyway you all have great answers so I shall throw another question your way. I have two 8:70 metric splicers. One is working ...My second one is out of adjustment and causing film to stretch a bit too much at splice. Is there a way for me to adjust this. Was going to send to Metric to repair but they want 700$. How hard can it be?

Posted by Erick Akers (Member # 875) on 11-05-2003, 01:44 PM:

Just wanted to bump this topic up to the top as quite a few of us now own Metric Splicers.

Following a link provided by John Pytlak regarding
Ultrasonic Splicing tips for Estar Base films,
this list of tips were provided.

quote:

1. Be sure the line voltage is constant,and matches the setting of the splicer's internal multiple tap transformer. The 50 Khz ultrasonic generator runs best at an input of 117 volts.
Metric recommends a constant voltage transformer if the incoming power varies in voltage.

2. "Tune" the 50 KHz power supplyper metric's instructions. Use an oscilloscope, and adjust for the best sine wave and minimal power supply current.

3. Always splice with the base side if the film tward the ultrasonic "horn"--- this assures maximum transfer of energy to the base to make a strong weld.

4. Adjust the Anvil Pressure so that the splicer just produces an audible (harmonic) "squeal" as the roller traverses the entire width of the film.If the "squeal" is heard only at the film edges, the center of the weld will be weak. Too much pressure may result in a splice that is brittle.

5. The best Anvil Speed is about 6 seconds for 35mm film. For 70mm film, the optimum speed should be somewhere around 12 seconds to traverse the full width of film.

6. Always practice making splices on the type of film you will be using, and test splices for tensile (pull) strength, brittleness (flexing) and peel apart (twisting), as you optimise the settings.

quote:

After reading this, and having a look inside, I also do not think that this would be too difficult to acomplish.

Has anyone actually adjusted one on their own, and is this information provided in the manual?

There doesn't seem to be a copy for any Metric Splicer model listed in the manuals section.

Thanks,

Erick

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 09-20-2016, 04:28 PM:

It has been 4703 days since the last post.

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 09-20-2016, 04:28 PM:

I've researched this in both available Forums and haven't found the answer to my dilemma.
My 3001 Ultrasonic Splicer works perfectly on polyester film. Has anyone actually arrived at the perfect adjustment on the splicer to make acceptable splices with acetate film stock? Acetate stock seems to melt too much using the polyester setting so I'm wondering if a speed up of the anvil block would be the answer? Also because polyester stock is thinner than acetate, would adjusting the pressure bearing down on the film be the answer?
Any ideas?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 09-20-2016, 08:16 PM:

You would have to ask the guys at Metric that question. They are still around...

Mark

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-20-2016, 09:58 PM:

You can't use the ultrasonic to weld acetate film. Use tape or cement.

Posted by Simon Wyss (Member # 6218) on 09-23-2016, 02:11 AM:

Yes, you can. Acetate melts easier than polyester, for this reason the bond is not the best but it can be done. I did it for a running time, would never send back a print with such joints. Of course, chemical splices are best with AC and nitrate film.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-23-2016, 10:04 AM:

Simon, I know what you are saying. Yes you CAN do it with some adjustments, but why make a splice on acetate with an ultrasonic when we all know it won't last over time? If I'm missing something here then please do enlighten me (and everyone else).

Posted by Simon Wyss (Member # 6218) on 09-29-2016, 01:24 AM:

Got me. For sure one wants to make a cement splice with AC base film, plane-press-perfect. Leo Cattozzo (that is how his name goes correctly) was allergic to acetone and many people shudder by the smell of film cement. So I tried it once.