I was recently asked to look after and generally keep an eye on the following at The Plymouth University.
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This is part of an exibition called Great Artist Great Teachers running untill November 17th.The film is from one of the artists and to be honest I am not quite sure what it is supposed to be about.
As you can see the film is in fact two shorts joined together into a continuous loop which sits on a purpose built platter attached to the top of the projector,which has a plastic see through top threw which the head of the film is passed to the front roller.The film is then threaded as normal,with the take off going back onto the loop on top of the machine.The projector is then controlled on/off by a sensor which when triggered allows the film to run for 15 mins before shutting off.
We have four copies of the film which are changed as and when required.Todays was done because someone had removed the film from front and rear rollers ,the film had continued to run and was scratched badly from contact with the machine.I get the feeling there is more interest in the projector and that funny light comming out the front with those images on the screen from the student groups than the actual content,especially from the younger ones.(Cant imagine why we all know about reel film)
Anyway I thought this was a little different in the way film is being used today

Something went wrong here? No pictures, just brackets with filenames

yes i did the photos on my ipad and the rest in work,will sort when i get home!!!!

2nd attempt at the photos,

Hope this makes sense with the item at 1

Good stuff Gwyn, by the way, did i see good news regarding the cinema? Hope so.

Gwyn
Does the top part remain stationary as the bottom platter revolves?
What drives the platter?
A rather smaller version, somewhat, of the 35mm Christie platters I used at an Odeon multiplex.

Maurice,there is nothing to drive the platter as the film comes from the centre the film is pulled on in a turning motion as the platter base is very very smooth.The top of the platter has rollers which can allow the top to turn as the film is pulled from the centre it’s all very smooth and the film glides through the system which from my understanding has been made specially for this type of projection.Also there is not a lot of film which makes it a lot easier.
Hope this makes sense I am writing this on my iPhone and it’s not a preferred way of answering.
I’m not sure how well this would work with say an 800 or more of film.I don’t think this system would cope.

Tom have sent you a PM.

Thank you, Gwyn.
It sounds an ideal unit, but, as you say, perhaps not suitable for a lot of film.
No doubt it was designed for short films to be shown at exhibitions on a continuous basis.

Maurice ,
Yes I would have to agree with you I would not wish to run anything other than a short film.
Gwyn

This kind of loopers works for approx. max. 10 minutes of 16mm film.

There is another type with rolls in a circle and rollers that can take up to approx. 45 minutes (photo attached).

Certainly looks the part,i would hate to be around if the loop came apart at some point though