Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Strange Dust Problem being created by #4 Projector

This is topic Strange Dust Problem being created by #4 Projector in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 01-08-2008, 09:48 AM:

Greetings and Salutations! Well, I have a particular problem with #4 projector. I have run three different prints through the projector and the one currently being played is Atonement. When running it through, the entire projector gets extremely dusty and dirty after each show. Also, all of the rollers to and from the platter, including the Brain. After each show, I have to really spend tons of time detail cleaning the projector, rollers, the Brain and the platter decks. The other two prints I ran through (Sweeny Todd & Juno) also had similar problems. I asked my technician to look at it and he can't quite pin-point the problem and I looked things over while the movie was playing and can't quite figure it out as well.

What I am using is a Century JJ Projector which can be converted to play 70MM Prints but we don't use 70MM Prints and a Christie AW3R 3-Deck Platter System. Anyway, after threading up the movie, I double check and triple check my threading before starting each show. Now, I am only guessing that it could be the intermittent sprocket. My technician changed that part out, but, it still does the same thing, even though the projector is a little quieter than last time which it was making a lot of noise.

On the print, there's no scratches, just gets really dirty. I did use a Kelmar Systems Film Cleaner unit that was attached to the Platter Tree and it helped to reduce the amount of dirt that had accumulated on the print.

Anyway, the print has only been at my theatre for only 3 days and been running in #4 all this time. I am confused as to why #4 is doing this. [Confused]

Any suggestions or ideas would be great.

Much Thanks!

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 01-08-2008, 11:40 AM:

There's another recent similar thread here somewhere about a "white powder" problem. I've also begun recently occasionally experiencing a dust/powder problem. Always with new prints, although I haven't tried tracking it down to a particular lab or distributer. I haven't been keeping up with recent lab technology but I'm wondering if it's the byproduct of some new film coating or something. I'm running Century SA and SAW's and Christie AW-3 platters.

I can't find any actual scratches on the film, and the only effect on screen is surface dirt if I don't make sure that I or whoever is on duty does a good cleaning of all projector & platter rollers, sprockets etc between each show.

But on my system it only seems to happen on first-run 'new' prints. I don't seem to have the problem with 2nd run or older prints.

Ideas anyone?

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-08-2008, 12:18 PM:

Move the print to another house to see if dust follows; if so, it's the film. If not, it's the projector. Louis

Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 02-16-2008, 11:22 AM:

Apart from the wise advice by Louis, I´d check my clearences between sprockets and shoes or pad rollers.

Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 02-16-2008, 11:30 AM:

Sorry it took me so long to reply back. Anyway, here's an update. When the print was moved, the dust problem wasn't on another projector. So, it was #4 projector. Since then, my technician checked the clearances and made adjustments as well as replacing some parts, mainly the sprocket rollers. So, with that in mind, the dust problem has been greatly reduced. [Big Grin]

Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 02-17-2008, 12:06 PM:

Happy we could help! [beer]