Section I. AUTOMATIC FILM PROCESSING
a. One of the critical operations in radiography is the processing procedure that
renders visible, as a radiographic image, the latent image created by x-rays. This
procedure requires the assistance of photographic chemistry. The field of radiologic
technology is continuing to become more automated and mechanized in order to keep
up with the ever-increasing workloads of the modern x-ray clinic. As the number of
radiographs produced each day increased, a method of processing these films more
rapidly became a necessity. As a result, the automatic processor has evolved from
manual processing and is now in use in most hospitals.
b. Automatic processing provides a means of processing quality films on a much
more timely basis. The equipment is very compact and the process is much cleaner.
Processing time varies from machine to machine, ranging from 90 seconds to nine
minutes. By comparison, manual processing takes approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours for a
completely dried film.
Several companies manufacturer automatic processors and they all operate on
the same basic principle. Since there are minor variations between the products of the
different manufacturers, our discussion of automatic processors will be general. The
manufacturer's handout will give you specific data on the type actually used in your
medical facility. Automatic processing uses the same principles as manual processing
with changes in solution and temperature to allow a faster processing time. The
automatic processor is made up of the basic system--the transport system, the
circulation and filtration system, the replenishment system, the tempering system, and
the dryer system. These basic systems are found in all processors. Therefore, by
learning how one works, you will understand the operation of all others and have little
trouble adjusting to them. The systems will be discussed separately so that the role of
each system in the processing cycle can be visualized.
The roller-transport system is composed of a feed tray, a main drive, and a
number of rollers called crossovers and racks.
a. As the film is placed in the feed tray, two feed rollers draw the film into the
machine. A micro switch is usually utilized as a safety device to alert the operator when
more than one film is placed in the machine at the same time. Also, the micro switch
activates the replenisher system discussed later.
b. The film moves circularly through a crossover and vertically down in the
developer by means of a series of rollers composing the rack around and vertically
upward, and around another crossover. It moves the same way through the rest of the