|
|
|
|
|
|
Go To | Photo Products Technical Information |
LabLine |
3M: A Corporate ProfileWe receive many requests from consumers and industry members for more information about 3M. Following is a brief profile of 3M which we hope will answer many of your questions. 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) Company is a diverse company which produces and markets over 60,000 individual products. 3M is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota and has over 86,000 employees. 3M is a multi-product, multi-technology, multinational organization with companies located in 59 different countries and has worldwide sales totaling over $15 billion. Innovation is the driving force behind 3M product development. 3M annually invests over $1 billion in research and development projects to bring to market new and improved products in three major business sectors: Industrial and Consumer Sector brings together some of 3M's core technologies - precision coating, specialty chemicals, non-woven materials and polymeric materials such as film and reinforced plastics. Its products include: pressure sensitive tapes, sandpaper, roofing granules, adhesives, Scotchgard brand fabric protectors, Post-it brand notes and many products for the do-it-yourselfer. 
3M Center, St. Paul, Minnesota Information, Imaging and Electronic Sector is a leader in a variety of imaging technologies including audio and video tapes for the professional and amateur markets, computer diskettes, optical diskettes, printing plates, photographic and X-ray films, graphics for vehicles, overhead projection systems, electrical and electronic connectors and telecommunications equipment. Life Sciences Sector produces a broad line of medical, surgical, orthopedic, dental and pharmaceutical products such as heart-lung equipment, surgical tapes, dressings and bandages, diagnostic instruments, innovative drug delivery systems, masks and r espirators for personal safety and reflective sheeting for highway signs and markings. In 1993, 3M and the 3M Foundation contributed over $35 million in cash, products and services for public interest projects in education, the arts, health care and other human services. A longtime supporter of Junior Achievement, 3M provides more than 200 volunteers at 74 U.S. locations. 3M sponsors "Newton's Apple" an award-winning public-television program and the 3M United Kingdom's Environmental Teaching Awards program which enables teachers to participate in global environmental research projects. For many years, our company has given high priority to minimizing our impact on the environment. Our Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) program has been the cornerstone of our environmental strategy since 1975. Since 1989, we have reduced air emissions by 70% worldwide and are striving to reduce generation of all forms of air, water and solid-waste pollutants 90% by the year 2000. In 1993 we recycled enough paper to save 275,000 trees. In an annual survey conducted by Fortune magazine, 3M was named the fifth most-admired U.S. company.
Your Question Answered:The quantity of prints that I remake due to dust problems always increases during the colder months. Why is this and what can I do? During the colder months of the year the humidity levels in a typical lab are lower due to the low humidity levels outdoors. Static electricity forms more readily in a low humidity environment than a high humidity environment. The result of these two factors is a much higher incidence of static formation on film surfaces and attraction of dust by the static charged film. This leads to more remakes in photo processing labs. Static charges are created anytime two materials come in contact and are separated. Static charges can be generated many times during the handling of film before and after processing. Electrons are transferred from one surface to another and one surface usually becomes positively charged while the other negatively. This leads to a condition where negatively charged dust particles can be attracted to a positively charged film and of course, more remakes. There are several techniques which a lab can utilize to minimize this problem. The typical lab will use a combination of two or more of the following methods. The first and most important method is simple good housekeeping. The cleaner the lab, the less dust and dirt particles available. This is especially important in the film processing and printing areas in the lab. Printers should be kept meticulously clean inside and out. The lab may use one of several techniques to condition the air in the lab. A humidifier will moisten the air in the lab. That reduces the formation of static charges on film surfaces. The air may also be ionized. By blowing ionized air on both sides of the film, the static charges become neutralized. 3M has available a 961 Air Ionizer which does an excellent job neutralizing static in a lab environment. A good anti-static film cleaner is indispensable in the lab. Choose one with easy to clean brushes, and clean them at least twice daily. Premium models include blowers or vacuums which both clean the film and remove static charges. Anti-static chemicals may also be used. There are chemicals which may be sprayed in the processing area periodically to eliminate static. In addition, there are chemicals which can be added to film stabilizers which inhibit the formation of static on the film's surface. Utilize one or more of these methods. It will not only make your job easier, it will save you a considerable amount of money.
3M Center, Building 235-3C-23 St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved. 
|