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DEVELOPMENTS IN PHOTOGRAMMETRIC EQUIPMENT
by
J. E. Odle, Williamson Manufacturing Company, Limited, Londen, England.
Progress in the Williamson organization since the last congress has been
steady and continuous. The Multiplex has been steadily improving, resulting in
an instrument of considerable accuracy and increased range.
A particular feature has been the development and application of rigid
laboratory controls for optical systems, resulting in increasing freedom from
the problems of distortion and asymmetric lens error. Users are encouraged to
have their cameras recalibrated seasonally to ensure maintenance of high stand
ards. Close liaison with Service and Government Research Organizations has
resulted in the smooth application of specifications and standards, acceptable to
constructors and users alike. The development of new testing instruments and
techniques has enabled these high standards to be applied on a production line
basis. The position of new instruments and development is briefly summarised.
New Wide Angle Multiplex. The use of twin aspheric condensers has virtu
ally doubled the illumination of the multiplex projector. Surface coating of all
air to glass surfaces has reduced glare and improved resolution. The reduction
in lamphouse height has improved the tangent screw movements. BX and BY
motions have been slowed down. The tracing table has been redesigned to give
direct optical projection from interchangeable glass scales, a wide range of
which are now available. The Multiplex is being increasingly used for bridging,
the detail plotting being undertaken in instruments with a larger viewing scale.
New Survey Camera. The Eagle IX Camera has been redesigned and
adopted as an R.A.F. type, using lenses of 6", 12" and 24" focal length. Distor
tion free 6" and 12" lenses are available with side entry between lens shutters.
The resolution of all these lenses has been improved.
New Rectifying Enlarger. A rectifying enlarger with a magnification range
of 4—1 and a 2—1 has been developed for 9"X9" negatives. Manufactured and
designed to Government specifications of performance, weight and height, this
instrument fulfills the theoretical requirements of complete rectification. A
special lens of 5.2" focal length was developed by Ross for this project.
Tilt Indicator. An experimental indicator has been constructed for use in
survey cameras, the first tests of which are encouraging.
Image Compensation. A swinging camera mount for image compensation
has been developed and tested. The method is satisfactory and is being further
developed for military purposes.
Large Scale Plotter. A careful study has been made of the problems inherent
in the use of Multiplex for large scale plotting. The limiting of flight altitude
for large scale plans had led us to desingn an instrument employing 9" X 9" con
tact diapositives. Further information about this instrument will be available
later.