How records are made in a metric country, which is the majority of countries.
April 5 2005 at 9:32 PM
Erin GoBragh
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To show that the method can just as well show metric units as imperial, I converted the information to what a record company in a metric country would follow. Not all of the numbers are not direct translations from the imperial information provided. Much information was taken from the Czech site that explains in some detail the method with rounded metric dimensions.
No metric country that makes records, if they still do, makes them using imperial methods. They either have their own standards, or they refer to the standards in imperial and make necessary modifications to rounded metric for ease in manufacture.
The first thing you need is a Master tape, edited with selections in
order, and proper time between cuts. Preferred Formats are DAT,
CDR, Mini Disk, Reel-to-reel, or Cassette..
For reel-to-reel tapes:
Speed: 38, 76, and 19 cm/s in 6.5 and 13 mm formats, 4.8, and
9.5 cm/s in 6.5 mm formats.
Speed of the record, 33-1/3, 45, 78, or 16-2/3.
Size of the record, 17.5, 25, or 30 cm for standard sizes...(I have seen
odd sizes)
Record (Matrix) number. This needs to be written in the "wax" so the
pressing plant can match the stamper plates to the labels. There is
really no standard convention for these numbers, but usually an
abbreviation of your record company followed by a series number, then
A and B for side one and two. (i.e.: FOS-1000-A and
FOS-1000-B )..Known as The number *Stamped* or Written in the "DEAD
WAX"
"PLATING"
The plater coats the master disk with a thin layer of silver. This is
then electroplated with nickel to about 400 ìm thick. When the metal
is separated from the master disk, the metal
that was facing the disk now has protruding ridges where the grooves
were. This plate is called the FATHER plate.
The FATHER plate is oxidized, and plated again. The resulting plate
when separated becomes a metal duplicate of the master disk with
grooves again. This plate is called the MOTHER plate. The MOTHER can
be played on a turntable to check for errors in mastering or plating.
In a two step process, the FATHER plate is converted into a STAMPER,
the MOTHER is shelved for future use.
One FATHER can produce 10 MOTHERs. One MOTHER can produce 10
STAMPERs. One STAMPER can produce about 1000 vinyl records.
Labels are printed from typesets or camera ready artwork. Usually they
are one color ink on a contrasting paper such as red ink on white
paper, silver ink on black paper, black ink on pink paper. The inks
are to be the darker color except when using silver ink. 17.5 cm
records use 84 mm labels with either a 7 mm or a 38 mm
center hole. 30 and 25 cm records use a 100 mm label with a 7 mm
hole.
Camera ready art should be black on white with specifications of what
color inks are to be used where the black is, and what color paper on
which to print..Simple eh !!!
Pressing:
The vinyl is loaded as a glob between the labels, then the mess is
squashed in the press between the two stampers at about 150°C, and 1 GN of force for about 20 to 30 seconds. The excess vinyl is trimmed off the edge of the record, and the record is stacked for cooling.
The final pressing is then loaded into the paper sleeves.