Microfiches at the 3rd International Congress on Reprography and at Repro'71 International Reprographic Exhibition

Abstract

The International Congress on Reprography and the Repro'71 International Reprographic Exhibition in London gave an overall picture of the present state of reprography, of its new techniques and trends. Representing the largest and most important field of reprography, microfilming has developed from the former “passive” to the “active” utilization. In the administrative field, as well as in documentation, enlargeable microfilm systems and the spread of devices facilitating a more rapid production and use of microfilms can be observed.
The development and new techniques of microfilming were mirrored by microfiche cameras, processing, sorting and copying machines. At the Congress, four lectures were concerned with the standardization, techniques and possible applications of microfiches. Repro'71 Exhibition displayed a number of new microfiche cameras as, for instance, the British-made Cameronics MF 10 and the French Camera Automatique Microfiche 105 x 150. The American-made Kleer-Vu Microfiche Duplicator and Collator, Model OP-40-80, is suitable for the large-scale rapid duplication and collation of microfiches. The CARD-type micro-film sorting and storing device of Image Systems, Inc. of California gives evidence of the possibility of up-to-date and automated sorting of microfiches.
Ten years ago microfiches represented the means of scientific publication and re-publication and were not utilized in administrative work to substitute for changing, enlargeable, and active document archives, while today they are gaining ground in administration, too. This is mainly due to the Jacket system, which may be handles as microcards. The Jacket combines the cheapness and rapidity of the production of microfilm rolls with the advantages of the storage, sorting, and use of the microfiche.
The spread of microfiche is partly furthered by the inexpensive, portable, small-size readers, and partly by the reader-printers designed for the rapid enlarging of microcopies.