Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Ultrasonic Splicers

This is topic Ultrasonic Splicers in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 02-18-2003, 06:49 AM:

I've seen 'em work, don't know HOW they work. Do they work by creating heat? Or ultrasonically meld the molecules together or what? Or is it just PFM.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-18-2003, 07:03 AM:

By exciting the molecules in the polyester plastic, the ultrasonic energy creates heat, melting the thermoplastic to create a weld:

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/technical/ultrasonic.shtml

http://www.metricsplicer.com/

http://www.metricsplicer.com/3001.html

http://www.hollywoodfilmco.com/Splicer.htm

Ultrasonic splicers are normally used for polyester-to-polyester splices. Kodak is developing methods to allow polyester-to-triacetate splices without using tape.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 02-18-2003, 12:02 PM:

Can anyone post an upclose picture of an ultrasonic 35mm splice?

Thanks!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-18-2003, 12:11 PM:

There's a splice photo and review in the "Reviews" section of Film-Tech under "Metric ultrasonic splicer Model 3001". Most raw stock lab splices are made with an ultrasonic splicer, but by sealing the undeveloped emulsion into the weld, lab splices are usually more discolored than a splice made on processed print film.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 02-18-2003, 02:52 PM:

Ah yes. I found it. Thanks!

The review says that it looks like a "small" lab splice. Is it actually smaller, or does it just "look" smaller because the film is developed?

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 02-18-2003, 02:52 PM:

ok, here's something i've been wondering. would it be possible to design an ultrasonic butt splicer? it could still use a tiny length of scrap film, say 2x the overlap of a normal ultrasonic splice, as reinforcement on the base side, but the actual film elements being spliced together would be butted together. then there would be no frame loss in making the splice, and if the extra thickness at the splice could be cut or filed off in some way, there would be no frame loss in breaking the splice either. there would probably be some limit to the number of times this could be done in one location, but it would beat losing frames every time. does this sound at all feasible?

carl

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-18-2003, 03:38 PM:

To maintain the proper film dimensions, the splices have to be the same, whether made on raw stock or processed film. The raw stock splices may look like they have a "bigger" overlap at the weld only because the opaque emulsion mixed in the weld looks more obvious.

Yes, it whould be possible to butt two pieces of film together, and use the splicer to weld a sliver of polyester base over the butted area to create a splice. Doing it repeatedly, precisely, and quickly is the challenge. The current splicers are designed to cut the film ends to assure exactly the correct overlap. Too little material may not allow a strong weld, too much may leave edges that could get caught or snagged.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-18-2003, 07:11 PM:

We have some brand new 35mm Metrics that we'd make someone a heck of a deal on.......
Mark @ CLACO