Microfilm

This method entails one publication, being reproduced on a roll of film and contained in a special cartridge case, approximately three inches (76 mm) square. The pages are sequentially copied onto the film and wound upon a drum, within the cartridge case.

A microfilm ‘reader’ (a projector) is used, to wind the film through a ‘gate’ and display a single page of text/drawing upon a screen, which is large enough to enable the text and illustrations to be read and understood. Because of the condensing of the ‘hard copy’ books into a small space, a complete set of maintenance manuals can be contained in a small number of microfilm cartridges that can be stored close to the Reader.

A number of these projectors are provided with a printing facility that allows the person to print a copy of any sheets that contain information, which is required away from the machine. All copies, removed from the microfilm reading room must be used once only and not retained for later work. This practise ensures that amendments and updates are not missed.