Instructions for the

AutoLab ATL-500 #4235
and the
AutoLab ATL 800 #4237

6. ATL-500/800 Controls

ATL-800	ATL-500

6. ATL-500/800 CONTROLS

6.1 Operating the ATL-500/800

Power to the ATL-500/800 is controlled by a power switch at the rear left hand side of the unit. Five buttons are used to control the functions of the processor:

• The 'Up' and 'Down' arrow buttons allow scrolling through the various functions.
• The F1 key allows access to special functions.
• ¿ The 'Enter' button confirms data entry.
• START This button is used to start processing.
• "UP"+ "Down" +  F1This combination will reset the processor's electronics.

• F1 + ¿

  SET-Mode is displayed, primarily for programming functions.

A 16 character, alphanumeric LCD panel displays function and menu choices.

 

6.2 Special Features

Turning off the processor
When switching off the processor with the main switch at the side of the unit, it automatically empties the water jacket. After 5 minutes the lift arm goes back to its rest position and then turns off the unit completely.

Run a cleaning program to prevent contamination
When changing processes (from E-6 to C-41), it is necessary to clean the hoses and storage bottles. The ATL 500/800 is supplied with several cleaning programs. You can read more about them  under Section 6.5 ABOUT TEMPERATURE AND PROCESS CHANGES. It is also recommended that you run a cleaning program at the end of each processing session, to prevent chemical buildup within the supply bottles.

You can save on chemicals
For processing 1 roll of 120 film, or 1 or 2 sheets of 4x5" film, only 150 ml of working solution is needed. For this to work, the JOBO reels are loaded only in their outer spirals.

Fast heating
The extremely short heating phase is reached by temporarily overheating the water jacket during warm-up. The electronically controlled system assures accuracy when the process starts.

6.3 Details of Pre-set Programs

The following process programs are pre-set at the factory:

No.	name	temp.	pre- warm	pre- wash	chem1	wash1	chem2	wash2	chem3	wash3
1	E-6	38°C	7:00		6:30	2:30	6:00	2:30	6:00	4:00
2	E-6 +1	38°C	7:00		8:30	2:30	6:00	2:30	6:00	4:00
3	E-6 +2	38°C	7:00		12:00	2:30	6:00	2:30	6:00	4:00
4	E-6 +3	38°C	7:00		14:00	2:30	6:00	2:30	6:00	4:00
5	E-6 -1	38°C	7:00		4:30	2:30	6:00	2:30	6:00	4:00
6	Cleaning
7	C41 3B	38°C	7:00		3:15		6:00	1:00	6:00	4:00
8	C41 3B+1	38°C	7:00		3:45		6:00	1:00	6:00	4:00
9	C41 3B+2	38°C	7:00		4:30		6:00	1:00	6:00	4:00
10	Cleaning
11	C41 2B	38°C	7:00		3:15		*		6:00	4:00	1=CD 2=Empty  3=BX
12	C41 2B+1	38°C	7:00		3:45		*		6:00	4:00	1=CD 2=Empty  3=BX
13	C41 2B+2	38°C	7:00		4:30		*		6:00	4:00	1=CD 2=Empty  3=BX
14	Cleaning
15	C41 2B	45°C	7:00		2:00		*		4:00	2:00	1=CD 2=Empty  3=BX
16	C41 2B+1	45°C	7:00		2:20		*		4:00	2:00	1=CD 2=Empty  3=BX
17	C41 2B+2	45°C	7:00		2:50		*		4:00	2:00	1=CD 2=Empty  3=BX
18	Cleaning
19	B/W 5	ATC20		5:00	5:00		1:00		6:00	4:00
20	B/W 7	ATC20		5:00	7:00		1:00		6:00	4:00
21	B/W 9	ATC20		5:00	9:00		1:00		6:00	4:00
22	B/W 11	ATC20		5:00	11:00		1:00		6:00	4:00
23	B/W 13	ATC20		5:00	13:00		1:00		6:00	4:00

* Bottle 2 not used!!

#3 E-6 +2 38°C' indicates that process 3 has been selected, an E-6 process with a two stop push running at 38°C. If the processor is in 'Temp' mode, the selected process can be changed within the same group. For example E-6 or C-41 2-Bath are two separate groups.

As the process proceeds, the LCD panel will indicate the step in progress as follows: 'Preheat 5:00' indicates the processor is in the preheat stage, and 5 minutes still have to run. 'Chemical 1 3:15' indicates the processor is in the first chemical bath stage, and there are 3 minutes 15 seconds left to run. The time indication will count down as the process step proceeds. (Press F1 to display the running process)

Note:
The wash water is heated up automatically to the process temperature. The wash water is changed at minimum every 40 seconds including filling and emptying. This ensures efficient rinsing and reduced water consumption.

 

6.4 SET-MENU: Changing Process Times, Options

The process selected, the process temperature, the individual times of each process and the language can be modified using the 'SET' mode.

• To enter 'SET' mode, press F1 and ¿ . The display will show SET: ¿, Escape: F1
• Press ¿ , and the display will show Process data (By pressing the "down arrow" button you can select the language used in the display. Pressing the "Down Arrow: button again brings you to the Option Menu. )
• In the Process Data menu, press the ¿ (Enter) key again.   One of the 24 process channels will be displayed. The cursor can be advanced horizontally with the ¿ (Enter) button and the values (process number, temperature and time) can be changed with the "Up Arrow" and "Down "Arrow" buttons.  The temperature can be adjusted to ATC 20, ATC 24, 35 degrees C and 45 degrees C. (ATC stands for automatic temperature conversion and is used for b/w film processing.)
• Values are confirmed by pressing ¿ (Enter) which then advances you to the next adjustable space within the current step of the process.
• Set the cursor on the first digit and select steps with the "Up Arrow"  or "Down Arrow" buttons.
• Press F1 to escape the SET-mode.

 

The available processing steps are as follows:

Preheat
Pre-wash
Chemical 1
Wash 1
Chemical 2
Wash 2
Chemical 3
Wash 3

A pre-wash of 5 minutes is generally preferred for B&W processing, a pre-heat of 7 minutes for all other processes (changing them is not recommended).

 

Pre-wash versus pre-heat

Pre-wash immerses the film in a single rinse of water for the programmed time. If it were used with a color process, it could cause a very slight color shift. But using it for B/W film helps to prevent the contrast from getting too high due to the constant agitation of rotary processing.

Pre-heat rotates the tank in the water bath, but with no liquid inside the tank for the programmed time. Its purpose is to raise the temperature of the tank, reel, and film so they will not chill the developer when it flows into the tank.

The ATL-500/800 will only use a single pre-wash quantity, irrespective of the pre-wash time. Rinses, however, are changed every 40 seconds, as follows:

Up to 40 seconds - no change (one rinse)

Up to 80 seconds - one change (two rinses)

120 seconds or longer - two changes (three rinses)

Final washes consist of three changes (four rinses) for wash times between 160 and 200 seconds, and four changes (five rinses) for wash times longer than 200 seconds.

• Special changes can be activated under options. As of this writing, the only option available is the alignment of the horizontal position of the lift arm.  Press ¿ (Enter) and the display will show Pos. lift arm ¿.  Press ¿ (Enter) to continue with the alignment.  Make sure the processor itself is level before continuing. The lift arm will move up and down and then stop at what it expects to be the horizontal position for normal processing activity.  Put the big tank on and check it with a level.  If it needs to be raised or lowered to achieve a true horizontal position, press the "Up Arrow" or "Down Arrow" buttons. After you press the arrow buttons once, the lift arm will raise and lower to a new position.  Continue to adjust the lift arm using the arrow keys until it is level. Then press the ¿ (Enter) button to confirm its position. Now press F1 to exit this option menu.

6.5 About Temperature and Process Changes

The ATL-500/800 is pre-programmed to process color at 38° C and 45° C, and B&W at 20° C. If you wish to change from a process using a temperature of 38° C or 45° C, to a B&W process, then a cleaning program needs to be used. This is available as process No. 6,10, 14, 18 or 24, and can be selected using the "Up Arrow"  or "Down Arrow" buttons. Attach a large tank without reels to the lift arm and fill the bottles with 700 ml of clean water.

This process will empty the chemical bottles in the water jacket, drain the water jacket and empty pre-warmed rinse water. When the next process is started, the processor is refilled automatically with cold water ready for the new temperature process.

 

6.6 Changing Process Temperature

To set the temperature:

• Enter SET mode by pressing F1+¿.
• Advance the cursor through the fields until the temperature field is blinking.
• Use the "Up Arrow" + "Down Arrow" buttons to select ATC 20, ATC 24, or any temperature between 35° C and 45° C.
• Confirm by pressing ¿.
• Then press F1 three times to exit the SET mode and return to the operating mode.

 

 

6.7 Selecting Languages for the LCD

• Enter the SET mode by pressing F1+¿. The display will show: SET: ¿, Escape: F1.
• Press ¿ (Enter) and use the "Up Arrow" + "Down Arrow" buttons to select from French, ( F; Langue), Spanish (E; Idioma), Italian (I; Lingua), German (D; Sprache), or English (GB; Language).
• Press ¿ to confirm.
• Then press F1 three times to exit the SET mode and return to the operating mode.

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This page last updated on 03/20/02