The Panaflex Platinum Camera By Michael Frediani,
This article is the first in a series that will take the reader behind the scenes, revealing the manufacturing process necessary to build the equipment we use 011 the set.
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n1972 Panavision introduced the Panaflex camera after four years of re earch and development. Four years later the Golden Panaflex debuted with an Ultraview reflex viewfinder and a "G" Drive system featuring replaceable circuit boards and Panaglow (receiving the SOC Technical Achievement Award in 1992). Introduced in 1986 as part of the Panaflex family of cameras, the Platinums featured an improved viewing system, quiet compact drive, annunciator panel, CCD video assist and time code, items previously unavailable on earlier Pana.flex cameras. Let's take a look at the multistep production process involved in creating the Platinum. First the bodies are supplied by a sub-contractor who begins with molten aluminum #356 cast into 25 units weighing just four pounds each, and then shipped to Panavision in the San Fernando Valley to be built by hand and machine to the finished product. The already familiarlooking casting
is attached to a machining fixture, part of the Computer umerical Control Machine (photo #1) which carries out the automated machining process. The CNCitself iscontrolled by a computerized program called CAD-CAM; its purpose is to automatically drill and mill each casting. The C C device contains 21 tool stations which house taps, drills and endrnills (photo #2). As the first of 25 castings is placed within the CNC each designated tool station performs its dedicated tasks as the CNC turns the camera body on an X, Y, Z and A axis rotation. There are 122 machining operations performed on each casting which require 9 different machine set-ups (photos #3, #4). Total machining time per unit is approximately 25 hours. Exacting tolerances are maintained : .001-which is thre to four times smaller
a human hair. r~;~::====----------~th~an~that ofAfter each ma-
chine set-up a first article inspection is performed. This process involves a visual review in addition to a computerized analysis of the previous machining operation while the unit lies on an extremely flat and level surface;
Spring/Summer 1996
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part of the "Coordinate Measuring Machine" (photo #5). Its probe device, directed by a technician, makes physical contact with
various surfaces (photo #6) emitting touch signals which are relayed to a computer monitor. The probe checks tolerances to within .0001- and if any incongruities are found, necessary corrections to the computer program are made b fore machining is commenced. Once approved the housing is black anodized and painted to prevent corrosion and to avoid reflections. The next step in the building proce sis the installation of wiring components (photo #7), which is carried out by hand. The lining is installed next and then the 'mechanism plate' is put into place. Dividing the camera interior in half longitudinally this stable aluminum tooling plate allows mounting of the motor assembly (photo #8) on one side and the movement mechanism on the assistant's side of the camera. The actual motor and circuit boards are manufactured at Panavision in Tarzana. ~>
The Operating Cameraman
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