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C00002 00002	This file DRKRM.INF[alf,dek] contains accumulated wisdom about the gadgets
C00006 00003	The main problem to keep in mind when using the Rapidoprint is that the
C00009 00004	The Dryedge 2436 Film Dryer (made by Buckingham Graphics Inc.,
C00011 00005	Film and paper must be kept wrapped up away from moisture, since it is
C00013 00006	Maintenance:
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This file DRKRM.INF[alf,dek] contains accumulated wisdom about the gadgets
in the CS darkroom. Please keep it up to date as we learn more.

IMPORTANT: (1) All machine operations should be recorded in the log book.
(2) Please try to keep this room as clean as possible.

Exposed film should not be brought closer than 4 feet away from the
"safe light". This light (Kodak Model B) has an ordinary 15 watt bulb
behind a special filter; the filter blocks out everything but red light
that doesn't affect the film much. It is changeable; apparently the
filter for us is number 1A.  A spare 15 watt bulb is in the back of
the top shelf of the storage box under the developing table.

The Agfa Rapidoprint DD2666 machine develops film or paper by passing it
thru four trays of chemicals---activator, stabilizer, fixer, water. The
first three of these we buy, the water we carry in.

The recirculating pump on the Rapidoprint should be run every 2 or 3 days
so that the chemicals don't crystallize in the trays. The chemicals
themselves should be replaced every 4 to 6 weeks, at which time the
machine should be cleaned. (Take the four trays to the john, wash them
out with warm water and just a little bit of detergent, scrub the rollers
with Dobie pads and warm water. DON'T put anything like Ajax scouring
cleanser on the rollers, it will ruin them since it will contribute little
particles to the film for weeks afterwards. The rollers and troughs have to
be replaced in the same order they were originally in; there are numbers
on the rollers and labels on the troughs.)

We will be using either film or paper. The film is Agfa FO71p, which
means "Film, Orthochromatic, hi-contrast, series 1, polyester".
The paper is Agfa TP6WP, where TP means technical paper, gamma is 6,
WP means waterproof (resin-coated).

Film has two sides, one of which is shiny (under the safe light) and the
other is dull. The dull side is the emulsion side, which should be placed
in the Alphatype facing the light source in the machine; thus the shiny side
is towards you when you are inserting it or removing it. With paper it is
somewhat the opposite:  the emulsion side feels smooth, the backing is
rough, so the emulsion side appears shinier. In both cases, the emulsion side
is the "sticky" side.  When developing the film, or paper, feed it in with
the emulsion side down.
The main problem to keep in mind when using the Rapidoprint is that the
fixer rapidly contaminates the water, leaving traces of fixer on the film
that may cause trouble later. On paper this can be a problem (it will yellow
after some months), but with film it might not be so bad. Anyway we should
change the water after every 10 or so prints.

People to help with Rapidoprint: Doug Mayhew, the salesman from VWR
Scientific who sold us the machine, usually comes on campus every
Wednesday.  Messages for him can be left at 55-467-4100 or you call the
"inside man" Rex at 55-467-4100x4031.  We've also talked to Rick West
55-469-410x4047.  Don Petersen of VWR installed the recirculating pump and
knows about deep technical questions; his number was 55-469-4151.  Howard
Wilson in Stanford's Medical Photo lab, room TA123, has a Rapidoprint and
can probably give useful advice; his extension is 75401.  A contact at
Agfa Gevaert is Joe Neal, 55-642-AGFA.

When using the Rapidoprint, turn on the pump and the rollers about five
minutes beforehand, after putting the hoses into the fresh water.  The 
pump will send chemicals into the four trays, up under the righthand side
of the unit; these drain out the lefthand side.  (When the pump is shut off
they continue to drain, at a slightly slower rate than they enter the trays.)
The unit should be level except just slightly lower on the left to promote
drainage.  Don't bump the machine!  This will make the chemicals splash
into each other, they'll mix and give off ammonia and the machine will have
to be cleaned.

Stop the machine if something goes wrong, don't try to pull your necktie or
beard out, while it's feeding with its powerful rollers....

CAUTION: Don't get the chemicals on your skin or clothing. If splashes
occur, wash immediately with cold or lukewarm water.
The Dryedge 2436 Film Dryer (made by Buckingham Graphics Inc.,
1414 Roscoe Street, Chicago, IL 60657) seems straightforward, although
they too stress the importance of fresh, clean, cool water for washing
the film so that it won't stick to the rollers. The motor speed is adjustable,
we'll have to experiment with what is the best rate. 

They say "Hold the film on both sides about two inches from the leading edge
and keep this edge taut. The whole leading edge should hit the squeegee rollers
simultaneously. We have found the best way to do this is to slide the
material slightly to one side as you hit the rollers. The reverse switch will
enable you to return the film should it be fed in improperly. Operator
experience is necessary, especially when using large sheets or thin bases.
Should you encounter specific problems, call us collect (312-327-8810). We
will assist you in any way possible."
Film and paper must be kept wrapped up away from moisture, since it is
"stabilization material" that rapidly absorbs moisture from the air; this will
affect the image quality. We can't simply put the film into a light-tight box
and expect to keep it there more than ten or fifteen minutes without affecting
its sensitivity, it has to be put also into a plastic bag.

To punch the film or paper, note that two of the punch holes are closer
together; these occur at the left edge of the punch (but at the right edge
of the CRS when loading it).  The film/paper should be put flush left in the
punch, whatever its width, with emulsion side UP. Later it is mounted in the
machine with emulsion side facing away from you.

Don't put paper that is wider than 16 inches in the Alphatype, or it will
get jammed, and you will be real sorry.
Maintenance:

1. Clean Rapidoprint and change its chemicals once per month. If cleaning
also the base plate under the troughs, REMOVE the drive unit (detach two
plastic wing nuts underneath it); this probably doesn't need to be cleaned
unless some chemicals got spilled.  When replacing the trays the rollers
should fit snugly without a lot of give.  The black plastic connections to
the drive unit are adjustable with a screwdriver.  When changing
chemicals, the big hose (drain) goes down to the bottom of the cubetainer,
the little one (feed) stays about 2 or 3 inches from the bottom (this lets
any sediment stay at the bottom of the box, rather than gumming up the
pump and tray).  The color-coded plastic retainers hold these hoses in
correct position.  The color code sort of matches the color of the box:
Black = Activator, Red = Stabilizer, Blue = Fixer, Yellow = Water.  Save
the caps of the cubetainers, replacing them when the chemicals are used
up.  The feed tubes come apart at the white plastic joint between the two
valves.  DO NOT DETACH THE FEED TUBES FROM THE TRAYS--this is a friction
fitting not intended to be re-attachable.  The big drain tubes may be
detached, however.  Spare parts may be available at GASSER's Industrial
division, 55-495-3852

2. Clean Dryedge once every three months. "The air mechanism may be removed for
cleaning. Handy plugs have been provided at one end so that no wires need be
cut. The roller assembly should be washed and a mild detergent may used.
Usually there will be a build up of foreign matter at the bottom and this should
be removed. We cannot be responsible for equipment that has clearly been
abused and not cleaned."

3. Change tension bands on Rapidoprint rollers once every six months.
Grey bands on transport rollers 1,3,5,7; brown ones on squeegee rollers 2,4,6,8.
 
4. Alphatype Service:  Tim Mooring or Gordon Kowalczyk, 58-872-2924.

5. Darkroom phone number is 7-2896.