Appeal for help!

[granfer]

I have acquired from an 8mm Forum member a stunning machine, the basic details of which are to be found here… http://www.nacinc.com/datasheets/archive/DF-16C.pdf
I use the word “stunning”, referring not to the general external appearance, which is fairly conventional, but to the INTERNAL construction! The leaflet describes it as “designed from the ground up”, and “not a rebuild or conversion of an existing commercial projector”. How true that is; I have never seen a machine so massively built!
As far as I can see, it has a main motor which drives the three bladed shutter at a constant speed of 24 revs per second, with a second (Stepper?) motor driving the claw and sprockets at any speed from 1 to 18 f.p.s. via another, inline, shaft, worm gear and toothed belt. It would appear that there may be a magnetic clutch between the shafts which allows the main motor (which also drives the reel spindles) to drive the claw and sprockets at the fixed 24 f.p.s. when required. Everything is controlled by a Remote Control packed with Digital Circuitry permitting the Speed variation in Forward and Reverse, Single Frame and Still Picture. Various other details can be ascertained from the .PDF including the oversized film aperture plate.
It strikes me that it has applications other than its original purpose as an Analytical Projector, including possible Video Transfer use. BUT, it does have some operational issues, both mechanical and electrical, that have to be resolved. And I LOVE a challenge!
This is therefore an appeal…. Has ANYONE, ANYWHERE, any further information on this machine, whether it is User Instructions, Service Manuals, Mechanical drawings or Schematic Diagrams, or even anecdotal information that might help me. Anything, please, by PM or Email in the first instance.

Martin.

[Nicholas Kovats]

Martin,

The manufacturer is still a going concern, i.e. http://www.nacinc.com. Why don't you start there and inquire about the required material? They potentially have an archive as most corps do so.

NK

[Tscan]

I don't quite understand this post. Is this a new machine or some rare late model find? Looks pretty awsome though... I want one!

[ECNtoo]

It kinda looks like an Athena in terms of functionality. If you look at the bottem of the sheet you'll see a reference to the IBM AT. This tells me it's vintage. That and the font on the sticker which was the first tip off.

[granfer]

freedom4kids.... I tried there before the machine even arrived; no luck, all their legacy material archived in deepest Japan and not willing to pursue further for me. At least they answered!

Tscan...... Yes it's an old machine, but in very clean condition and built like a tank.
I could only find a couple of references on the web, and neither really led anywhere.

[slashmaster]

Interesting machine, How fast does it go? according to that main picture the sprocket holes of the film are on the wrong side. Is yours like that Martin?

[granfer]

As in leaflet, speeds are 1 fps to 18 fps, continuously variable in both forward and reverse, and a fixed 24 fps, also forward and reverse.
If you look carefully you can see the teeth on the sprockets are outermost and the film is actually double perforated silent stock. BUT,the film should pass under the lowermost roller!