SECTION MEETING REPORT

Meeting Date: February 11, 1997
Attendance: 21
Location: Ford Motor Company World Headquarters
Speakers: James A. Lafer, Jr., Photonics Applications Midwest

Subjects: High Speed Film and Video Motion Analysis
[Photo of James A. Lafer, Jr.] Jim Lafer spent over thirty years with Chrysler Corporation developing high-speed film photography techniques for use in motion analysis within the automobile industry. While with Chrysler, Mr. Lafer pioneered the use of high-speed video. Upon retirement, he joined Instrumentation Marketing Corporation, which became NAC Visual Systems and was recently acquired by Kodak. His current firm represents companies and individuals prominent in high-speed film and video.

The twenty-one members and guests heard Jim give a history of high-speed film and video. He told of an early camera system, the Fastax, which recorded at 7,000 frames per second and ran the film through the projector literally at supersonic speeds. The politics of crash testing, the problems of synchronizing high-speed cameras, and aerospace applications were discussed. Video developments were covered, ranging from the Instar system which recorded 240 frames per second on one-inch videotape to systems which can record 100,000 frames per second. As tape and camera technology improved, cameras got smaller and more rugged, and instruments that recorded on VHS tape were introduced.

[Photo of Speedcam Lite demo] A videotape was shown to the group depicting bumper impact and dummy crash tests, as well as a sequence showing a burning light bulb being shattered by a fast projectile to demonstrate the resolution and anti-blooming capabilities of current equipment. Mr. Lafer concluded the presentation with a live demonstration of the Weinberger Speedcam Lite, which recorded a small spring-loaded tire in contact with a rapidly-spinning bumpy cylinder to demonstrate the system's ability to analyze suspension systems.

[Photo of Hal Miller] Prior to the presentation, Central Region Governor Harold Miller summarized the Governors' meeting at the Winter Conference. He discussed the new Society logo, the split of NAB and SMPTE on the fall conference, new technical books, new features in the Journal, SMPTE's World Wide Web presence, and a membership update.

Submitted by:
Frank Maynard, WKBD-TV Secretary/Treasurer, SMPTE Detroit Section 810-355-7129 maynard@oeonline.com
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