Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Making down from platter

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Posted by Thomas King (Member # 2745) on 11-08-2004, 08:18 PM:

Another quick question, if I may: it's fairly common procedure for us to make films down straight from the platter. We've got a cinemeccanica platter with carbon brake-pad to provide backtension. I've checked that the rollers on the winding bench are the same height as the core that's being wound onto, but it's still the case that within a few revolutions the film going onto the core raises and stays at a level about three millimeters above the top of the core. This isn't a huge problem, because it's still just tail at this point, but I'm sure it's not correct. I'm sure it's a tension thing, but it still happens with the minium amount of braking needed to provide a smooth and tightly would reel. Am I missing something terribly obvious?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-11-2004, 11:16 AM:

How is the film being guided onto the core? Is there an undercut "builder" roller that guides and presses the film onto the roll being wound? I suspect some misalignment.

Posted by Thomas King (Member # 2745) on 11-11-2004, 07:55 PM:

No, we don't have anything like that. The roll just sits on the bottom half of a split. I'm trying a system of cardboard spacers with some success, but it feels like a bit of a cludge.

Posted by Chris Byrne (Member # 1563) on 11-13-2004, 07:33 PM:

Hi Thomas,

You could also try fabricating two flat circular pieces of plastic (from a canister, etc.) so that the core is in effect sitting as a 2000 foot spool would on the MUT.

To get a flawless wind, ensure tension / alignment is correct. You may need to get a rubber grommet or some washers to ensure the spindle allows no play (i.e. movement of the top plastic piece.

If you choose to try this; ensure that the plastic edge is bevelled so any edge is removed. It shouldn't matter if your alignment and tension are flush, however it would be a wise precaution to take. [Wink]