Minilab systems (fig. 12-8) have become very popular in Navy imaging shore facilities and aircraft carriers. These types of printers are fast and can be used to rush production. In these systems, the printer and processor are combined into one unit. The printer cuts the paper to size, exposes it, and automatically feeds it through the processor. Minilabs (as they are called) are used in all of the One Hour photo-finishing shops that you see today.

The operation of a minilab is very easy once you become familiar with the system. Minilabs can be operated under normal room lighting conditions. The printer is controlled by a keyboard (fig. 12-9). Some systems have zoom enlarging lenses to alter the image size. The negative can be aligned and composed by adjusting the negative carrier. These adjustments to the image size and cropping can be seen on a viewing screen.

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Figure 12-7B. Top view of Pako BC 24 roll paper printer.

Figure 12-8. Noritsu QSS-1201 minilab system.

Figure 12-9. Keyboard of a Noritsu Model 1001 print processor.

Minilabs have a microprocessor that stores information put in by a programmer. The information is retrieved through channels. The channels are programmed for different film manufacturers, ISOs, negative sizes, print sizes, and paper combinations. The various information combinations that are stored in these channels are used to print production negatives;

for example, a 35mm Kodacolor negative to a 4x5 print is printed on one channel, and 35mm Fujicolor negative

to a 5x7 print is printed on another. By programming different negative and print combinations into separate channels, you are able to produce production prints which have good density and color balance from the automatic printer. You can also fine-tune the density and color by using the keyboard.

Color correcting on a minilab is less complicated than on an enlarger. The keyboard of the printer contains yellow, cyan, magenta, and density keys. These keys range in value so you can make minor or major adjustments. When the density of the print is off, density can be either added or subtracted. When a production print has too much cyan, yellow, or magenta, these colors are subtracted. When the print has too much red, green, or blue, the complement of these colors is added.

After the prints are exposed, the paper is fed automatically into the processing section of the minilab. The processing section contains chemical tanks and a dryer section. Each tank has a roller assembly rack that transports the print through the processor. Minilabs require no plumbing or drains because they use a washless process, such as KodakRA-4 chemistry. When Kodak RA-4 chemistry is used, the total processing time is completed in about 4 1/2 minutes.

The setting up and programming of automated printers can be complicated. You are expected to be a printer operator only. Programming the channels, density, and color balance of automated printers should be left to the more experienced imaging facility personnel.

While automated printers are very useful in controlling a high influx of production, there are disadvantages in their use. Not all imaging facilities have the space required to support automated printers. Cropping is very restricted, and dodging and burning cannot be performed. Like all machines, automated printers require maintenance. They also must be programmed accurately to function the way they are designed. Without the support and expertise of knowledgeable personnel, normal projection printing may be preferred.