Low cost process automation for making emulsions

[Photo Engineer]

But for those with no expertise.........

 

[Prof_Pixel]

But for those with no expertise.........

... a chance to learn how to use a soldering iron

 

[Photo Engineer]

Let's give them the option..

 

[fdonadio]

I can use a soldering iron. And I am eagerly waiting for the project blueprints to get in my hands...

 

[Truzi]

Some day I will mix an emulsion, and naturally I'd want to move to automation. Since the whole process would be foreign to me, I would rather focus on it than be concerned with circuits and computers (yes, I know, do it once and I'm set, but I'd rather remove that from the equation).

I can solder, I can put together circuits and regulated power supplies (if provided the schematics), and I'm sure I can program a processor via my computer. It's been a while, but I can do those things.

However, if given a choice, I'd opt for the potentiometer and simple circuits - at least for my first attempts. I prefer something easy, robust, and with less to go wrong; I'd rather not need a computer to use the device (aside from referencing APUG).

 

[wildbillbugman]

And-How is this CHEAP? If you consider people like me who have zero experience soldering wires and things together, the learning/practice is steep. How dose this make emulsions "low cost"?
The price of silver is what it is. I once made a batch of AgNO3 using silver shot and nitrc acid. The cost of the acid was so high that it ate the cheapness of silver shot.

 

[Photo Engineer]

What is right for you Bill?

My goal is no soldering or special wiring, just off the shelf items and a total cost of about $100.

PE

 

[wildbillbugman]

Yes P.E.
Once you get a system that works and dose not require a Maters Degree in Chemical Engineering, or 20 years as an Auto Mechanic, I will give it a try. After a lot of temper tantrums, screaming and crying I am confident that I can get the same results batch-to-batch with just a beaker ,a scale and a magnetic stirrer. Some numbers from a new gizmo may be helpful.
Back in the days of a Live George Eastman, how much more than containers, heating and agitation ( and skilled operators) did they use?
Bill

 

[Photo Engineer]

What price range????

Eastman used what were called PERCs or Percolators which were basically spherical flasks with stopcocks and calibrated tips. Each tip could be changed to give different flow rates. Somewhat similar to a burette.

PE

 

[wildbillbugman]

P.E.
Interesting ! How large was the largest of these round beakers? How big was the biggest batch of emulsion? Then and in KODAK's HEYDAY?
Just curious,Bill

 

[Photo Engineer]

Bill, I asked first. You have an answer for me about price range for automation to answer.

Then I can answer!!!!

PE

 

[wildbillbugman]

"What price range?" Do you mean for the equipment or for the final product (film)? I would think that KODAK's investments in equipment for mass market-films was at least in the milions
My question is more about Early KODAK WITH LOTSA MANPOWER. Not about heavy automation.
Bill

 

[Prof_Pixel]

Ron,

I don't think there seems to be a good understanding of what "low cost process automation" means and what it will do.

 

[Photo Engineer]

"What price range?" Do you mean for the equipment or for the final product (film)? I would think that KODAK's investments in equipment for mass market-films was at least in the milions
My question is more about Early KODAK WITH LOTSA MANPOWER. Not about heavy automation.
Bill

Bill, you remarked earlier that some ways to automate a process (pumps, soldering and etc..) were both too expensive and too difficult for some. I propose a very inexpensive pump (less than $10) and very simple electronics with no soldering or any other such work, such that it all comes in at under $100 or under $200.

What I am asking you is what is within your price range? You have already said that soldering and complex electronics are out.

PE

 

[Photo Engineer]

To answer your other question about making, here are some photos, the first being from Eastman's day, and the second from the '50s.

The second is a photo of an early making apparatus believed to have been used for "boiled" emulsions or "ammoniacal" emulsions. The first shows two production sized "percs" in the background, and one small "perc" in the foreground. In production the total volume could be up to 1000L but in research it was typically around 10L.

PE

 

[StephenT]

PE, that's within my price range, at the moment, anyway! Great work, by the way.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I have learned a lot from your posts.

 

[Nodda Duma]

Without realizing this thread existed, I've been looking at the inexpensive peristaltic pumps available on Amazon/eBay for when I mix my next batch of emulsion. They seem fairly straightforward to setup and use. My wife's cringe-meter is probably about $40-$50 so we'll see how it goes. Luckily I do have a power supply on-hand so I don't have to worry about that part of the cost.