Ilford processing machine formulas

[narigas2006]

Hi all,

I have inherited from my school one of those ilford processors with rollers that I believe is quite old. I've seen there are 2 baths and the time which the paper go through the solutions is quite low. I wonder if someone would know a nice formula for me to use modern bw paper in the machine? MANY MANY thanks!

 

[Ian Grant]

If it's old it may be an Ilford activator/stabliser machine. I had one and made up my own activator and used strong Hypam in place of the stabiliser. It would only work with a developer incorporated RC paper, which early Ilfospeed was but it was great machine processing prints in about 20 seconds, I used it until the paper changed and the developing agent was removed. Ilford didn't publish the facts at the time preferring to sell new Ilfospeed processors instead.

Post an image of the processor, or give the model number

Ian

 

[Simon R Galley]

Its not activator / stabiliser its probably a 2150 RC desktop processor so we still make chemistry kits for them :

see the website for details :

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[narigas2006]

I think Ian is right, it's an activator/stabiliser Ilfoprint 1502. I think then the next step is to try to put a speed controller to make it run extremely slow...

 

[Ian Grant]

I think thats the model I had. I rather suspect it was made long before Simon began working for Ilford

There is a possibility of making up a super fast acting developer, I have some formulae somewhere on my Laptop. Can you time roughly how long the paper would be in contact with the developer.

You need to find a way of changing the gearing rather than use a speed controller, that would be much easier.

Ian

 

[narigas2006]

I'll check tonite... I wonder if one could maybe put the developer in the 2 baths..

the problem with the gear is that the motor is directly coupled to the main shaft...

I think thats the model I had. I rather suspect it was made long before Simon began working for Ilford

There is a possibility of making up a super fast acting developer, I have some formulae somewhere on my Laptop. Can you time roughly how long the paper would be in contact with the developer.

You need to find a way of changing the gearing rather than use a speed controller, that would be much easier.

Ian

 

[Joerg Bergs]

Hi!

I use a 2 bath machine with the new Moersch ECO developer with a 1+5 dilution. I´ve mixed the dilution last christmas and the developer works (with regeneration) without any problems. I reach the DMax with every PE paper. That is a powerful devoloper!

Mr. Moersch have also a special Fix in program. If you need any information call him.

Greats Joerg

 

[Ian Grant]

Joerg, welcome to APUG.

The problem is that the Ilfooprint machines are much faster than newer 2 bath processors because the activator process was extremely quick. So there isn't enough time in the first tray to use a conventional developer even at stronger than normal strength.

However there are highly specialised developer formulae which are used for rapid processing applications, some of these far faster than necessary in an Ilfoprint machine.

Ian

 

[alexphoto]

Hi
The 'modern' B/W printers seem to take longer because they wash and dry the prints as well, whereas the old activation machines didn't. The original FB paper prints gradually faded unless they were fixed and washed in the normal way.
Alex