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Topic: Interlocking troubles

Kevin Crawford
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 207
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-22-2001 11:51 AM

I am wondering if anyone could help me with this. My company recently has gotten into the mood to interlock. I don't understand it, for it makes very little sense to me. However, I have been tasked to get this done.

The theatre in question has Maxi 11 XDCs. Now here is the catch. I do not have the interlock module that goes with these. Xetron cannot find anything on the modules, and could not help. I talked with another company, that is named after Montana, and they were unable to assist me.

So, now my question is, does anyone either have one of these modules, or in place of that, does anyone know what I could do instead of putting in new automation?

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

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Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 06-22-2001 11:59 AM

Yes I do. It is very important that u have synchronized motors on both projectors that you are using for interlock. This will prevent them from loosing the loop between machines and allow them to start int time if u use automation. If you do not use automation you can use two people. Just have both push start button at same time. Like I go three, two, one, now and on now we push start. works like a charm. Just have to keep close eye on everything since there is no automation to shut down both machines. Make sure you have a loop acumulator or use the acumulato on platter systems. I prefer the wall mounted acumutators .

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-22-2001 12:01 PM

Or just set the timer on the lead machine and then have your finger over the start button on the second machine. When you see the lead machine start, hit the button. (Pull the tension between the two projectors just slightly tighter during threading to compensate for the slight delay on startup of the second projector.)

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Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 06-22-2001 12:07 PM

Couple more things. Make sure you have enough rollers to get the film to each projector safely. You will need to mute the sound and block the light with manual dowser on second machine to prevent unwanted sound and picture from hitting screen until the first trailer goes thru. There are ways to wire up a start switch to start both motors at same time but mot sure how your current automation is set up and you will probably have to start automation sequence anyway so the way I mentioned in above post would be the way to go most likely.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 06-22-2001 12:28 PM

Does anyone use selsyn motors to get a "hard" interlock anymore, or do you just depend upon the constant speed syncronous drive motors provide? If selsyns are not used, are there any problems with projectors accelerating to full speed at different rates?

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-22-2001 12:30 PM

Even with synchronous motors, the start speed isn't enough to cause a problem unless you are interlocking between different types of projectors. Even then, a good projectionist can thread up the interlock so that when they fire the tension will set itself properly.

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Kevin Crawford
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 207
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-22-2001 03:32 PM

Thanks for the info.

There are synchronous motors on the two screens that are to be interlocked. There will be plenty of rollers, including a couple of ceiling hangers. I hadn't planned to go to the extremes Brad went to for his interlocking though. Sorry to let you down. But these two machines are just back to back, not on opposite sides of the building.

The company does not approve of the use of timers, even if the theatre had them.

I would consider the idea of two people pushing start at the same time, but then that would consider thought. Sadly, I have little faith in the people working the theatre to get it right every time, or even once for that matter. One of the other theatres that I recently set up scratched the print, because they missed a roller. Heaven forbid that they check that both screens are running and on the screen OK.

What I would like is to either get an interlock control compatable with the Maxi 11 or build one. I am looking for the most idiot proof way of doing this. Interlocking is tough enough without having to have a fancy way of starting the show.

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Kevin Crawford
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 207
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-22-2001 03:36 PM

Darryl if you are willing to sell the control module give me an email. Yours isn't listed.

Thanks

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John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 06-23-2001 12:39 AM

I haven't fooled with those Maxi-series in a long time, but if I remember, the interlok module (Xetron's spelling) was a separate box about 6"x6"x12" and was made to mount on the wall; that is, it didn't mount in a rack or on to the Maxi automation itself. It was designed to work with any of the relay, cam-timer, single projector, Maxi series automations.

It has 5 relays and a cam timer with 3 switches. If you get desperate, I guess you could make one, but it would be some work.

Maybe if you call Xetron, they will send you a copy of the schematic. If not, I have an old blueprint copy which I can try and dup for you. Ask them for drawing number 1223; mine is dated May 17, 1984. It's about 22"x17" so I'd have to "stitch" it together, either as regular paper or a pdf file.

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Kevin Crawford
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 207
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-23-2001 02:16 AM

Xetron has no information on this. Something happened to all of their old materials. The Maxi 11 uses DC instead of AC, hence the 11XDC for the model.

If you could send me the schematics you have, I would appreciate it. Although it is looking like it is time for new automation.

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John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 06-23-2001 02:22 PM

Here it is

I can only scan about 8.5"x11" at a time; it was tough to get the seprate images to stich together, but at least you will have some idea of how the thing works.

If you actually decide to make one and need to see the drawing clearer, I'll go to a real copy place and have a good copy made. Also, I'll go to the theater that has it and see if there is any more
documentation (I seem to remember an instruction manual) and take a picture of it.

Personally, I'd think you will better off just buying new automations, but I know how that goes over with upper management.

Oh, forgot one more thing: Kelmar made a lot of stuff for Xetron. They may actually been the ones who made the box. You might ask them.

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Kevin Crawford
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 207
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-23-2001 05:54 PM

I did talk with Kelmar. They do not make a control for the Maxi 11. Xetron took the Maxi 10 made some small changes and converted it to DC. I have thought of taking a Kelmar box and converting it. That is still a possibility.

But I would rather get the box that was designed for the automation.

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