Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Dirt-attracting Screen Static

This is topic Dirt-attracting Screen Static in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 03-22-2007, 08:16 AM:

We just intalled a new screen and I noticed it built-up quite a static charge -- strong enuf that it can keep small particles stuck to it that it probably picked up from the floor when it was laid out on the stage. We brushed them off, but if it can build up enough of a charge so as to hold a small speck of the wood floor to its surface, it must be a real dust magnet when it comes to even smaller dust particulate.

Anyone know a way to neutralize any static charge on the screen material? I was thinking of threading 1/16in aircraft cable thru the metal grommets and then bolting the end to the metal frame. The frame is chained to a pipe that is aircraft cabled to the grid, which of course is electrically and physically grounded. I am theorizing that should discharge at least a good portion of any static charge buildup.

For years I have favored wearing a grounding wrist band when I am winding film -- I hate those static zaps that can get pretty intense during inspection. But that thing required a wire to be attached to some ground point with an aligator clip. Then I found a static discharge wrist band in one of the computer cataloges that worked without being wired. Just slip it on your wrist and no static buildup. I haven't a clue how this thing works, but it does. Whatever this principal is, do you think it can it be applied to a movie screen? If not, then the aircraft cable should still work like the wired antistatic wristband principle works, no?

I am just thinking if there was a practical way to keep the screen material neutral with regard to static, it might stay clearer longer.