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KODAK Introduces Innovative Film Cleaning System


Sue Smith

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Easy to Use, Digitally Controlled Method Redefines Vital Process


ROCHESTER, NY (Dec. 21, 2015) - Kodak has announced the release of a new, groundbreaking P-200 Film Cleaning System that transforms the traditional film cleaning process. The revolutionary design allows the cleaning solvent to be dispersed on the film surface in a unique way. This economical, compact and digitally controlled system, which uses KODAK HFE 7200 Film Cleaner Solution, makes it ideal for today's archives and libraries.


Proper film cleaning is vital to both archiving and restoration. In most cases, film needs to be cleaned before being stored in a library and prior to being digitized. Now, with the KODAK P-200 Film Cleaning System, institutions responsible for media collections can maintain their valuable film assets to the highest standards for a very small investment and very minimal infrastructure requirements.


"Knowing the importance of proper film cleaning to both maintaining and digitizing film content, Kodak has developed a system for the 21st century," noted Antonio Rasura, technical manager of Kodak's Consumer and Film Division. "It's small in size, environmentally friendly, and easy to use, with no need to directly handle solutions. Maintenance is also simplified, so it can be used in both traditional laboratories and in-house by institutions."


The KODAK P-200 system consists of a compact machine that measures only 31w x 21d x 51h inches with touchscreen controls for navigating the operating modes. It uses KODAK HFE 7200 Film Cleaner Solution, an environmentally safe solvent with a zero ozone depleting classification, and a very low toxicity rating (near zero). Adding to the system's efficiencies, Kodak is offering the solvent in low quantities for the first time, eliminating the need to invest in large orders of film cleaning supplies.


"The way the machine disperses the solvent onto the film is very unique," said Rasura. "Solvent is quite expensive, and we didn't want to use a costly recovery technique for the cleaner solution. The system we have developed atomizes the solvent, utilizing highly efficient delivery jets that 'fog' the film with an extremely fine dispersion of the HFE. The results include a huge amount of coverage with very little solvent, and all with no hazard to the operator or the environment."


The KODAK P-200 Film Cleaning System also offers Variable Speed Precision Tension Control, a laser-guided feature that can operate with speeds of 50-200 fpm while maintaining consistent and even tension throughout the wind of the roll, which is especially beneficial for long-term archiving.


"Film is an integral component of our industry and cultural heritage, and Kodak recognizes the need to support and preserve that content," added Andrew Evenski, Kodak's president and general manager of Entertainment & Commercial Films. "Our aim in bringing this new system to market is to ensure that the community's needs for accessible, quality film cleaning are met at an affordable price point."

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Did you ever get pricing info from them? I've asked and am waiting to hear back... There are actually a fair number of used Lipsner-Smith HFE units out there now on the used market that aren't too expensive. The more interesting part of this press release, to me, is the fact that they're going to start selling HFE in small quantities. That stuff is really expensive...

Edited by Perry Paolantonio
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The announcement is for a film cleaner, not a processor.

 

You wouldn't want an ECN-2 Film processor in your house, believe me, even if it were a small one.

Ha I knew that.. My head must have been spinning over the new camera. I've been trying to put together a sticky roller setup, but the assembly is no longer available and the rollers are $80 apiece with a order min of 6. But i'm guessing this rig is not cheap, but a smaller one would still be welcome.

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on PTRs, kodak isn't the only game in town. I've tried to get pricing from Ted on these but never heard back.

 

http://www.flashscan8.us/fxsys-particle-transfer-rollers-for-scanners-processors-and-bench-based-cleaning/

 

Kodak's pricing is kind of nutty, hopefully these are less expensive. I'm going to need a pair for the Imagica soon and don't really want to have to buy 6 of them when we don't need that many.

 

-perry

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No answer on $ but small volume HFE is pretty good that stuff is super expensive!

 

I finally heard back from Kodak this morning, but because my email mentioned Super 8 (totally unrelated question), they only told me it doesn't work for S8 and didn't give me any pricing. So, re-emailed, and re-waiting for a response.

 

Sometimes I wonder why Kodak makes things so hard for themselves!

 

-perry

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on PTRs, kodak isn't the only game in town. I've tried to get pricing from Ted on these but never heard back.

 

http://www.flashscan8.us/fxsys-particle-transfer-rollers-for-scanners-processors-and-bench-based-cleaning/

 

Kodak's pricing is kind of nutty, hopefully these are less expensive. I'm going to need a pair for the Imagica soon and don't really want to have to buy 6 of them when we don't need that many.

 

-perry

I talked to that guy a few months ago, he quoted me around $1200 for a setup, can't remember is it included the assembly.

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I'm talking about just the PTRs themselves - not the whole machine. It looks like they sell a couple cleaning systems: one cleaning machine specific to small gauge film, and one that uses 4 PTRs in between a pair of rewinds.

 

The PTR rollers are standardized, so they should fit any machine that takes them, and they sell 1.5 and 3" rollers.

 

I can't imagine 4 rollers costing that much, especially when they say they're only good for 3-4 months. I've heard similar things about Kodak's, but we've used them for years on end. With proper care they last a really long time. I don't believe the short lifespan unless these are really terrible.

 

They're made by FXSYS, which I know nothing about, other than that they either bought the IP or are formerly SanLabs people. SanLabs made a pretty cool film cleaning system called the Prista, which was much more compact than Lipsner Smith cleaners - I think it was actually a little bigger than one of those small refrigerators. Hard to come by though - not a lot of them out there.

Edited by Perry Paolantonio
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I have been waiting for a PO or Quote from ted for a while ;-)

 

We have an early San Labs cleaner (and Lipsner) they did make allot of the Prista machines and many post houses had them.

 

Not allot more effective than the Lipsner alcohol machine IMO

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I have been waiting for a PO or Quote from ted for a while ;-)

 

We have an early San Labs cleaner (and Lipsner) they did make allot of the Prista machines and many post houses had them.

 

Not allot more effective than the Lipsner alcohol machine IMO

 

I think I used to run that Lipsner when you guys were on Babcock St and I worked there!

 

Heard back from Kodak this morning. Again, no pricing. I don't think they've figured it out yet. Interestingly, the guy who emailed me is from their UK office, so I'm thinking this thing might have been made there? "we are going to supply the solvent in 5 litre quantities in Europe. We are still outlining our sales strategy for US but will come back to you shortly."

 

-perry

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Time for the 3D printer perry?

 

I'm fairly certain the cleaning solvents and printer plastic won't be the best of friends!

 

But really, each roller is just a shaft with a couple nice ball bearings inside a tube that fits the PTR roller. It's kind of amazing they're charging that much money. I could see a few hundred bucks, sure.

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