PREPARATION FOR PROCESSING - A CHECKLIST

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The following check list gives an indication of the degree of concentration needed by a developing machine operator.

1. The temperature of all solutions should be checked against specifications, particularly the developer(s).
2. Check that the agitation is operating in all developers. There should be visible movement on the surface of the liquid.
3. Check that all solutions are circulating through the heat exchangers and filters.
4. Check that the thermostat for the drying temperature is set to the correct value according to the specification.
5. Check that all squeegees are correctly adjusted and operating satisfactorily.
6. Ensure that all tanks are filled to the correct level
7. Ensure that all leader on the machine is in good condition and all visible joins are in good condition.
8. Make sure that all rolls of leader about to be used are in good condition and any joins are remade.
9. Check that the alarms for film break, end detection, solution over-heat and elevator rise is/are operating.
10. Check all magazines for cleanliness, and correct operation of all rollers and light traps and seals.
11. Ensure that all replenisher tanks are full and the pumps or other methods are operating.
12. All re-exposure lamps should be checked.
13. A film bin with cloth interior should be available at the Dry End.
14. Check supply of scissors, staples or tape, two staple guns or tape joiners in case of malfunction, cores, leader rolls, and gloves.
15. If the laboratory standing orders require it, then scratch tests and process control wedges are run before any work is processed.
16. Check labels of all cans of work to verify that all the film is for the process that you are about to operate and that it all requires the standard process.
17. Turn on the correct safelight if this is permitted and turn off the white light.
18. Wind a few metres of leader onto a core.
19. Open the first can, lift out the roll, tear or cut a few cms of film and put it back in the can. If identification numbers are used then one should be stuck on the film and one on the can.
20. Join the leader to the roll of film and slowly wind the film onto the core running the film through your fingers to feel for tears or damaged perforations. If damage is felt and it is permitted, then the film should be broken and joined using staples or tape.
21. When the film is fully wound, repeat nos. 18 and 19 with the next roll up to the maximum size for the magazine or feed-on plate.
22. If required a process control wedge can be joined on and then a few metres more of leader.
23. Load the film into a magazine or place in a can if darkroom loading.
24. Ensure the original cans are in the order in which the film were joined up [so that when the film is taken off the dry-end it can be put back in the correct can.]
25. The small sections removed from each roll are checked in the light to make sure it is the correct film and can be examined for scratches.