Mechatronic cine-film copying using transputer control

Abstract Copying of cine-film using panel printers produces defects in the copied films due to the sprocket drives. A new sprocketless machine has been designed using modern mechatronic techniques. The control system has been implemented on four T800 transputers and one T222 transputer to cope with the data processing after the system was simulated using the ACSL continuous system simulator, and designed using MATLAB and CONTROL-C control system design software. The performance of the new machine is nearly three times faster than previous machines, operating at film speeds up to 10 m s −1 . Speed variations are reduced to less than 1% and tension variations are controlled to within 5%. The controller was sufficiently robust to allow for changes from acetate to polyester film base, which have almost a two-fold difference in stiffness and damping.