Microfilm is a form of document storage allowing a more efficient utilization of existing space. However, several facets of the process must be considered before you begin filming. You must first determine what you need filmed: Engineering documents are not generally filmed in the same manner as office documents because they are so much bigger; How you will retrieve information or, more importantly, how often it is necessary to retrieve the information also determines the filming medium. We utilize two different film sizes and possess several options for allowing effective storage and retrieval of a microfilmed image.

35 mm Film & Storage Applications

35mm microfilm is generally used to photo image engineering documents. Its large frame size is more suited to the complex and detailed elements an engineering document possesses. We utilize Kodak MRG-1 planetary cameras for all our 35mm applications. Should you wish to keep the drawings in roll form and not process further, be advised that a single 100' roll will hold about 600 images.

Most customers prefer to have their drawings mounted onto an aperture card. An aperture card is essentially an IBM keypunch card with a window at one end. Drawing information may be typed onto the card for identification purposes using up to 52 characters of information. Because of the nature of a card, we recommend that we perform the labeling process. A regular typewriter cannot manipulate a card if a list is not supplied or drawings are not in their listed order, we can order the drawings for you and take-off drawing information for the card identification. If more than one image of a drawing has been filmed, a tab card is typed and aperture cards are duplicated from this tab card. Card prices include fee for keypunching up to 10 characters per card and mounting film slide on card. Specify corner cut for aperture cards left, right or none.

Keypunching is normally done from a client supplied list. We must charge extra in the event the drawing list sequence and the physical drawing order do not match or if keypunching is requested and no list is supplied. An additional service also available is aperture card duplication. We use a fast, economical diazo process for card duplication. These duplicates have a rated lifespan of no more than 10 years, but make a great way to send a client a set of final drawings for bidding, send your own departments working drawings while keeping the original, etc. This process requires the use of an existing aperture card, however, you may have a duplicate made from your original card at any time. Duplicates may also be keypunched for identification purposes if original card is keypunched.

Special Aperture Cards & Duplicating Cards

Unless otherwise specified all Aperture Cards and Duplicating Cards are furnished as plain, natural color index cards. Any client who wishes to do so, may elect to have cards specially prepared for their work. This can include different color cards and/or specially printed cards, or cards with a color stripe. Minimum order for any special cards is 2000 cards.

16mm Film & Storage Applications

16 mm microfilm is normally used for office documents or any original not exceeding 11 " x 17". A majority of 16 mm customers use their film on the roll, while some opt for a form called microfiche. Microfiche is a 4" x 6" film card containing somewhere around 60 images (of documents 81/2" x 11 "). A typical roll of film will contain approximately 3000 images. We support several different roll formats and do provide microfiche jackets for use with l6 mm roll films. Our Kodak Reliant Microfilmers allow us to film one or two rolls of film simultaneously. This allows for a second, security copy to be made at nominal cost. In addition, for 16 mm microfilming, we can also provide equipment and supplies for anyone to perform microfilming in-plant. Equipment is available on purchase, lease or simple fee basis. CALL FOR DETAILS.

Hard Copy from Microfilmed Images Aperture cards only - no rolls Should the need arise, we offer complete printing facility for restoration of a microfilmed image back into paper form.

Filing

For security purposes, we offer the use of our facility as a storage center where a filmed record of your documents will be kept in our locked, fire-proof safes. Using our facilities has a number of advantages. Two copies held in separate geographic areas will almost never be subject to irreparable damages such as a fire, flood, break-in, etc.; need and we'll pull it from our files-substantially saving turn-around time. Retrieval Charges only apply for months in which a retrieval is actually made. Should no retrieval be necessary during a given month, no retrieval Charge would the applied. We are also happy to be able to provide all our clients with equipment for storage, viewing, or hard copy generation allowing any in-plant to perform their own services.