So I've been pondering large paper development mechanisms. Up to 50" x 40" but in a PVC tube.
40" width would roll up into a 13" PVC tube. I'm guessing it'll flop inwards from the weight at that size, so my thought is another 12" tube internally, with a bolt and nuts in between the tubes to hold them together on one side, opposite the center of the paper. Obviously something that won't rust, maybe some kind of plastic/teflon will work well, especially weight-wise. I'll also have holes drilled throughout to distribute chemicals freely since it doesn't need to be light-tight, and no end caps or anything:
Then, custom trays from Tap Plastics or similar. Length of a bit longer than 50", 15" wide to fit the tube and bolt on the top, maybe 10" deep so I can roll it in the chemicals? Should slide right in with the open ends and not float, but maybe I need larger trays to easily manipulate the tube. I will probably use more dilute chemicals for a slower development time, for ease of processing.
Total area needed for 3 trays, about 4' x 5', which will fit perfectly on my new 5' wide bench.
Thoughts? Is this a stupid idea? Any ideas for refining this? I just had the thought that after one print, the tube will be wet and difficult to insert paper into maybe. I have some PVC, I'll get it wet and see if paper slides on it. Or is there another, different material that would work better?
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