Film Path - (35/16mm) references

I’ve heard (though I don’t have any experience with them first hand) that PTR-rollers aren’t
very effective in doing what they are supposed to do. They basically “transfer” dust particles from one point on the film to another.
See here: Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Particle transfer roller effectiveness and
Film-Tech

In order to get good results from the scanner we’d also need to figure out a way to clean the film properly (unless using new stock, of course). Many post houses are using a ultra-sonic cleaning process to clean the film before scanning. Of course this isn’t directly related to building a scanner, but nontheless an important part in the transfer from film to digital.

@johnny5alive that’s a great idea, and cheap. I would need to figure out how best to cut down the middle in a lathe-like process so the image area isn’t touched.

@Martin_Weiss that’s good to hear. I think fewer rollers with wider diameters is the best way to go based on what you’re saying.

@MattNaples McMaster is one of my favorite sites of all time! I looked for rollers a couple of times about a year ago and didn’t know what to look for. This is really helpful, thanks.

@Marian thanks for looking into that. I always get conflicting information on PTR rollers. But common sense would seem to side with what you found. There is not magical material that sucks up dust instantly - but perhaps there is a system that could be added to the Kinograph film path as an additional module that isn’t too cost prohibitive. In this post there were mentions of applying a liquid solution to the film to clean it, as well as ultrasonic solutions. Both are new to me and I would have to do some tests. Totally possible, though, and I think we’re finding the right track here.

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Keep in mind that using a liquid cleaning solution adds a couple new problems (ehem: challenges):

a) The liquid needs to dry before the actual scanning takes place; i.e. it limits the scanning speed. (This can be solved by doing the cleaning seperately, but of course adds to the space/time/work requirements)

b) It might harm the film’s long term storability.

c) It might be a health hazzard.

Have you considered having some sort of pressured air blown onto the film just before the scanning? That would get rid of dust.

Good points @Martin_Weiss . I think we can think about this as an add-on module that could be attached to the base plate of the machine if someone wanted to add it.

Just to summarise some of the above points.

  1. Yes, large diameter rollers are required if the film has become at all brittle, the small tight curves can destroy old film.
  2. PTR rollers work, but only with film that is already clean. They will pickup the small dust and hairs from the environment as the film runs, but are useless for film that has not already been cleaned.
  3. If you want a clean transfer, the scanner needs to be mounted inside an enclosed case, and use positive pressure to keep the dust out.
  4. Cleaning. The best product for cleaning is Trike, but it is expensive and not manufactured any more. The best available subsititute that is relatively safe and affordable is Gentech film cleaning solvent. Reliance Specialty Products - Vapor Degreasing Experts This has been used for a long time and has no adverse affects on film.
  5. Lubricating/scratch removal. Filmguard isn’t fantastic at cleaning, but if you clean the film first, and then apply filmguard, then scan with the filmguard still on the print, you get very, very close to wet-gate results. Nearly all base scratches disappear completely. This can be applied by hand easily, or use a Kelmar/Film-O-Clean style applicator. This can cause problems with roller driven scanners though as the rollers end up coated in filmguard.
  6. Air blowing. This tends to cause static buildup, and is ineffectual generally, but tightly focused ‘air-blade’ style systems can work. However, you are better off, if dust and stray hairs are the main problem (i.e. the film is already 'clean) using PTR rollers in this case.
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Hello everyone,
I noticed someone mentioned that PTR’s ( the roller, not the rifle) are hard to source. I have purchased the company that used to make them when they went bankrupt. I have always kept the quality really high, so I have some rejects with small bubble holes in the roller end. I could get you some for experimenting. There are 2 different durameter rollers. Regular and extra tacky. Also different sizes. Don’t want this to be a sales pitch, so contact me if you want more information. Just starting to explore, so excuse me if you are past this point.

So glad to have you here, @Maker!! I bought a 6-pack of PTRs a while back but would love to see what you have as well. Can I order 2 regular ones from you?

The ones I have are 50mm inner-diameter and 75mm outer-diameter. Do you have that size?

Also, I had been using an improvised mounting strategy - that worked pretty well (see below)Those who are savvy in bearings will probably cringe. But as I recall, the mounts for PTRs are very expensive and hard to source. Is that true?


Hi “Matthewepler”,

You wouldn’t happen to live in southern Ontario, would you? I live in Burlington Canada. Here is a small sample of the parts I have. I could give you some seconds. I have a lot of things on the go and shipping takes a lot of time. Especially across borders. So if you know anybody around here, let me know.
Great project. Major undertaking. Hope we can work out the “challenges”.
John

They are not hard to source if you know where to look👍🏼. Where did you get your “6 pack”? Not from doing sit-ups I bet. Is humour aloud?

If you need any close up pics of any parts, let me know.

If anyone is building along, I could put up contact info if it’s okay with site admin. This is only for DIY projects. Not a sales pitch to pro’s.

Yeah, contact info is cool. Humor a must. I don’t want to make you ship across the border (I’m in New York). It looks like I have similar stuff to you, just not the wide variety you have. I’d say that later down the road it might be useful to do some tests with different types of PTRs as a separate module that people can add to the Kinograph.

In other words - if it’s easy to send some stuff, then I’d happily pay you for it. If not, then it’s not something urgent at this point and could easily wait.

Thanks so much!

Just for reference, I was browsing around and found this company that makes various in-line film cleaners. Basically, these are static dissipative brushes that can be combined with either ionized air, vaccum, or just used on their own.

www.kinetronics.com

Also, browsing some of the film-tech forums, it appears most cinema operators frown on PTRs simply because they get clogged too easily and result in a more dirty print than if not used at all. The consensus seemed to be using film-guard and the film guard applicator setup. If you have clean films, then PTRs can help, but used on their own seemed like they weren’t very effective. Granted, this is from the forums of the site that sells film guard, but interesting to me nonetheless.

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PTR’s, at the correct durameter, should always be more “sticky” than the film. If there is that much dust on the film that it is re-depositing from the PTR back onto the film, they are either not caring for the PTR,s or the film. Just a thought.

Understood, and to be fair, we are talking a completely different use-case than a cinema. We should have the time to properly prep and clean a film prior to running it through a scanner, so the PTRs if cared for properly shouldn’t give as much of an issue as a commercial movie theater. They are running the films multiple times per day, most days of the week, and probably don’t have the time to clean each film prior to each run.

So would we say that PTRs, if properly cleaned and cared for, are a good option for cleaning?

Or can we also say that PTRs offer a good alternative to regular rollers due to their large diameter and no need for extra machining - and do no additional harm to the film?

You’ll see in my latest video post that I still have PTRs on the machine. The mounts I made are really cheap to make. Happy to share those designs if anyone is interested. Video here: Build Phase 1, section a - Motor Assembly - #24 by matthewepler

M

Matthew, in short, yes.

In a cinema, you’re running the same reels through the projector over and over. There’s little time to clean each film before/after running it, let alone doing the same with the PTRs. If you don’t clean both, then dirt is going to accumulate beyond what the PTRs can remove. Thus, even clean films will get dirtied up. I guess no matter how clean your film and PTRs are, there’s always a chance of just re-depositing dirt as well.

Unless someone is using their Kinograph to transfer films constantly and they’re not willing to prep the PTRs and film, then I’d assume using PTRs in a Kinograph can’t exactly hurt.

I’ll also throw out that some of the AVISynth scripts are pretty darn good at cleaning up dirt/scratches in post. Granted, you’re estimating the necessary fix, and it can lead to some odd artifacts or incidental removal of valid information.

I’m sure everyone would agree the best place to remove dirt is before the scan. So to summarize methods:

  • Use Filmguard cleaning solution prior-to or during running film (could be manual or using an automated system/attachment.
  • Use of air blowers and/or anti-static brushes just prior to film entering gate.
  • Wetgate
  • PTRs to physically remove dirt

Everyone would have to make their own evaluation of what to use based on their needs.

I have already posted this message once. But it seems that did not get posted for some reason.

Could you let us know where you did find these PTR s please.

It got posted and answered in this thread

thank you. Ihave contacted the seller at Ebay.