CINETECH UK PRESENTS BSF HYDRA FILM CLEANER
Cinetech UK have over 40 years of experience operating, upgrading and repairing all types of film cleaning equipment, across every manufacturer and solvent type.
Following the recent bankruptcy of RTI, the dominant film cleaner manufacturer, there have been considerable issues obtaining spare parts and service support for existing RTI film cleaners in the marketplace.
Following numerous client requests, and a pre-order for 3 units, the team of Cinetech engineers embarked on the design and manufacture of a film cleaner that has revolutionary and never seen before features.
Our cleaner utilises a film cleaning solvent that is, in our opinion, the most suitable choice for cleaning performance and cost efficiency, now and into the future.
No special installation team required. Our machine has been designed with intuitive and straightforward interface, it is a pure plug-and-play machine with factory support for commissioning via video call if required.
Utilising Isopar® G solvent, which has a cleaning performance rated as ‘excellent’ as opposed to HFE that is rated as ‘adequate’, isopropyl alcohol that is flammable, absorbs water and can dry film excessively, and perchloroethylene that is a known ODP, greenhouse gas and carcinogen.
Please see below table from Kodak for more details.
- Compact and elegant table top design
- Soft touch capstan drive (no sprockets)
- 8, 16, 35mm film gauges with optional 65/70mm as a special order
- Up to 100 ft per minute running speed
- 2100 ft roll capacity
- Full digital control, operated via a colour touchscreen. Full data logging, remote diagnostics and software updates if required
- Non-immersion cleaning system utilising soft nap Dacron buffers for solvent application (2) and film drying (4)
- 12 PTR’s (particle transfer rollers) of our own design and manufacture
- Solvent transfer roller speed adjustable via touch screen
- Solvent applicator buffer roller speed adjustable via touch screen
- Drying buffer speed adjustable via touch screen
- Film tension adjustable via touchscreen
- Film buffer film contact distance adjustable via touchscreen
- All direct stepper drive, no drive belts
- Intelligent software constantly monitors reel sizes, motor speed, and torque using predictive models to ensure a consistent and uniform film winding
- No need for laser or external reel measuring sensors
- Automatic safety feature that stops the machine immediately in the event of a film break or any other irregularity
- Low power consumption. Single-phase power, multi region capable. 225W/240VA, 2.2A@110V, 1A@240V
- Very low solvent consumption - 1L will clean 100,000ft of 35mm film
Cinetech BSF Hydra Motion Picture Film Cleaner Tutorial
Customer testimonials
We have had a very positive experience with the Cinetech cleaner. The staff loves it.
We purchased a very early production unit in full knowledge there were a few issues rough around the edges. Working with Cinetech on finalizing these details has been very rewarding. The solution for cleaning 8mm works extremely well, and the hardware they provided is beautiful. Yet another example of the care they take to produce a quality product with consideration of the user experience, both practically and aesthetically.
We are enjoying the low volatility of the cleaning agent. Although the room where it lives has a strong exhaust for the workers, the agent does not evaporate excessively. The room doesn't stink like it would with perc or alcohol. Furthermore, the agent is nowhere near as expensive as those agents or HFE, so the TCO is much lower. We are just beginning to collect data on the cost per foot, except to say my wallet doesn't hurt.
The ongoing support has been very engaged. There's a real sense that user feedback is desired, as they work to improve the product. Even the smallest, "over time we're finding" is welcomed with, 'tell me more, we should be able to prevent that from happening'.
– George Blood, George Blood LP, USA
The Cinetech BSF Hydra film cleaner is an incredibly versatile and well thought out machine. At a fraction of the size of its predecessors, the BSF Hydra cleaner will fit on a desktop, handing up to 2000ft of film in 35mm, 16mm and 8mm film sizes. We find it’s customisable operating system second to none with parameters which allow you to adjust the film speed, flow of solvent and pressure of the cleaning buffers. Best of all the cleaning solvent is incredibly cheap and in good supply the world over. Cinetech themselves are a pleasure to deal with and offer excellent support. Well worth a test drive!
– Edmund Ward, owner of Analogue Image T/A On8mil, UK
Silver Salt Restoration are delighted to trust in the Cinetech BSF Hydra Film Cleaner as a perfect solution for managing the varied requirements of cleansing motion picture film, including some of the most delicate and unique materials in our cinematic heritage.
The machine is impressively discreet, efficient for our carbon footprint and a pleasure not only to use but display as well; we declare the fully adjustable operational aspects and highly effective solvent enable us to ensure safe, meticulous film treatment every time.
– Ray King, Partner, Silver Salt Restoration Ltd, UK
Here you can download the datasheet and the user manual for the cleaner:
