Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Help with Strong Platter

This is topic Help with Strong Platter in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006011

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 03-31-2004, 12:16 AM:

I've noticed that some of our Strong platters have not been winding the prints up as tight as I'd like. I calibrated it, but it's just raising the roller assemlby (lack of better term) and lowering it while holding the toggle switch. Is there any type of way, or even trick to get these to wind prints really tight...like say a Christie?

it's a Strong AP 3 (I'm pretty sure I can check tomorrow)
Projector/Lamphouse all Strong/Simplex if it helps

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-31-2004, 01:00 AM:

Other than hanging a weight from the elevator rollers, there's really not much you can do. (...except of course junk them and buy Christies! [evil]

)

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 03-31-2004, 01:33 AM:

Of course, you say that assuming that:

A) The platter is all in working order. (Ostensibly) There is nothing wrong such as a worn out rubber "tire" on the drive wheel.

B) There is nothing wrong with the film. There is no sprocket damage, etc., to the print that would cause the film to wind up all funky-like.

I'd say, give your platter a once-over to make sure it's all good. Check the tires. Clean and lube the sliders that the yo-yo rides on.

From there on out, the things will either work or they won't. (Mostly won't. [Wink]

)

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 03-31-2004, 10:48 AM:

I guess I'll have to check the tires and what not. We just have a one or two out of twenty that wind up WAY too loose....

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 03-31-2004, 11:59 AM:

The black drive tires do tend to dry & crack and just plain flatten out or glaze. The belts only cost about $3 each so it's probably time to change out some belts.

Posted by Jackson Gilman (Member # 2142) on 03-31-2004, 01:35 PM:

Ahh, cracked belts...would that explain the intense vibrating on some of our platter decks? I didn't think to check.

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 03-31-2004, 03:01 PM:

quote:
Ahh, cracked belts...would that explain the intense vibrating on some of our platter decks? I didn't think to check.

I always assumed that they vibrate b/c they become off center from people bumping them, slamming prints, throwing a splicer on it, etc....

Posted by Tom Wienholt (Member # 1510) on 03-31-2004, 03:02 PM:

My experience has been that Christie platters wind prints loose compared to strong platters.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-31-2004, 05:35 PM:

The older Christie platters were guilty of that, not ones from the last decade or two.

A super cheap solution

Posted by Mike Perju (Member # 1482) on 03-31-2004, 08:47 PM:

The answer here is easier that hanging a weight on the carriage or scrapping the platters: Just miss the top right hand roller in the carriage assembly, otherwise thread normally.

Then again, why does anybody care how tight the film is wound?... unless you want to move the print

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 04-03-2004, 01:50 AM:

b/c we move prints like crazy.....some houses play 3-4 different prints a day...

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 04-03-2004, 02:47 AM:

I have twelve Strong platters, six Alpha's and six AP3's. The Alpha's have phase controls and carbon switches and the AP3's have microswitches. All 36 decks wind prints perfectly tight. I would suggest you look at all the things mentioned here and others; perhaps the variac is wearing out for example.

One thing that would help diagnos the problem-does the accumulator move up and down constantly during operation or does it stay in one spot once the platter has started up?

Posted by Peter Schoell (Member # 919) on 04-04-2004, 11:29 PM:

I also have a bunch(10)of Potts/ Strong platters, 3 are even the flat belt type. 99 1/2% of the time I have no problems with the platters, I've always found them very reliable. I've had your problem a couple of times and it's been caused by resistance in the accumulator. When some operator has banged into the rails that the accumulator rides between, causing them to bow. Also I had a roller come lose causing the accumulator to twist, thereby adding resistance (defeating gravity). You might check the variac linkage, even disconnect it from the accumulator, making sure each moves easily.

Posted by Jason Thode (Member # 1854) on 04-04-2004, 11:56 PM:

One thing you can try that I found works for some reason or other is to move the motor mounts. I found when the motors tires where to snug to the platter it slowed down and when it was to loose it would not spin the platter. If you set them to where they skim with a little pressure it should fix the problem.

The other thing you can try, but only on nights you need to move a print would be to "Z" thread the take up gravity bar on the tree.