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Jobo ATL 1000 colour processor

We choose the Jobo ATL 1000 as it uses small batches of chemicals so we do not have to worry about waste from the oxidation and short shelf life of the chemicals. We also choose the Jobo ATL 1000 as it has different film chemistry presets that automate the different developing stages and preheated the chemicals to the correct processing temperature making colour film processing less daunting for the students. Initially we will be processing C-41 colour negative film chemistry in the Jobo ATL 1000 but the unit has the option to do E-6 colour positive film. We have purchased a Tetenal Colectec C-41 colour negative 5 litre kit to do the initial tests on 120 film and over the summer if the processor works well we will test other manufactures C-41 chemistry to see which one works best for us.

The second hand Jobo ATL 1000 processor we have purchased has seen a busy life so the fist job is to give it a deep clean and MOT. After the film processor has been commissioned we are going to build a bespoke portable housing unit for it. The housing unit will be constructed out of 18mm sheet MDF which will be sealed against chemical spillage and have a set of lockable wheels. The housing unit will be built in three module parts supporting the film processing unit, heated water storage tank and waste bottles and have space for the storage and mixing of the chemicals.

Click on diagram to enlarge

The first stage in the construction of the processor housing unit is the waste water and chemical storage module. The module will be made from 18mm sheet MDF and treated to withstand chemical spillage. The Jobo ATL 1000 separates the waste water and chemicals during the different stages of developing the film and these are gravity feed into 20 litre storage tanks. The chemicals used in colour film developing are not kind to nature and should not be deposed down the drain, at Loughborough University we have a hazardous materials deposal system in place so no fish will be harmed in developing our colour film. The waste pipes must never be submerged in the waste solution in the storage tanks and there also needs to be an air vent in the cap as this will stop the flow. The Jobo ATL 1000 film processor will sit on top of the waste deposal module.

Waste storage module for waste water [blue] and chemicals [red] 20 litre containers

Jobo ATL 1000 processor sitting on top of waste storage module

The next module will add storage for the measuring equipment and chemicals for the Jobo ATL 1000 film processor

Left storage module added onto wheel based unit

The final module will house the chemistry mixing and measuring work area and support a storage water tank. The water tank will gravity feed the Jobo ATL 1000 water bath and rinse cycles during film processing. The water used in C-41 and E-6 film processing must be heated and held at a precise temperature of 38 celsius and to do this we will use the Nova Protronic heater and plug-in temperature controller that is accurate to 0.2 celsius. The water tank will hold up to 18 litres and will gravity feed the water to the Jobo processor, if the flow rate if not high enough a pump can be added but for the initial stage we are keeping things simple.

Chemical mixing upper module added to the processor housing that also support the gravity feed heated water tank