Polaroid Spectra Full Spread Tape Guides + Extras

Prototype repository of my current work on Polaroid Spectra cameras. You have the main files for tape cutting guides using a sharp razor blade and the extra folder which is just random Spectra parts I have been designing. I used Scotch model #2050 masking tape since it seems to be the most common in the U.S. but any tape that has grip, is ~0.1mm thick, around 24mm wide (wide enough to cover the entire roller), and is stiff and non-compressible will work as far as I can tell. 1 layer of tape on top roller and 2 strips of tape acting as shims in the left and right roller blocks to widen their gap a bit. Then you can adjust the number of shims on each side depending on your camera and the spread results you get. To get a "half shim" you can literally cut them in half and that would make the gap slightly smaller due to higher pressure on the shims. My camera needed 3 shims on the left (gear side) and 2 shims on the right. When applying the layer of tape onto the roller, you must make sure it is as smooth as possible since imperfections will show up, and that you have to wrap the tape all the way around and carefully cut off the excess so that the tape makes a perfect wrap with no gaps around the roller. You are going to need to reference the service manual to take the rollers out (be VERY careful not to break any plastic parts) to insert the shims, unless you have some really strong fingers. Fine point tweezers are strongly recommended as well. If someone finds a better tape alternative that will be consistent in size and material in the future, comment below please! Electrical tape is too stretchy and Kapton tape, while very stiff, is also slippery. Clear tape is similar to Kapton tape.

Your printer must be calibrated and dialed in because these are tight tolerances!

Old video on ways to fit 600 and i-Type cartridges in Spectra, no taping guide tutorial yet: 

Also I noticed on some other people's videos that their cameras are able to do 99% spread without any modifications, surprisingly. I do not know if its because they used that popular 3D printed adapter (perhaps it aligns the film better somehow?) or their rollers were different from the factory (possibly they became more hardened in the factory and became more stiffer? IDK). You may not need to do this mod then. If you are one of those people with these miracle cameras, are you able to test if it was due to the 3D printed adapter or the rollers? (A/B testing with 3D printed adapter vs. shoving a 600 cartridge in, or if you have another Spectra camera, swap film doors. What are the chances the rollers are the same for both?). Could you comment below or contact me?

Repository work in progress, will eventually make a proper post and video tutorial when I feel like it. Spent a lot of time, film, and money on this. Middle finger to modern Polaroid Co. for abandoning Spectra and gutting it for Go. All they had to do to fix the majority of complaints was to use better batteries.

Also key detail about the spread system for the nerds who want to help revive Spectra some more, the thickness of the chemical is determined by the layers in the film, specifically the edges act as rails, not necessarily the roller gap. The job of the roller is to be as stiff as possible so that it does not get bent as it processes the film but with 600 film inside the Spectra rollers, the smaller film concentrates the pressure more in the middle and bends the rollers just enough to make full spread impossible.

My end goal is to rebuild the roller blocks and order custom made rollers, but the hard part is finding a good value service for custom gears (MISUMI is a good place for good value custom stuff, such as the rods and bearings) and the problem of bonding the gears to the rollers. This will probably take a few years since I am still very busy in life, unless someone can carry out my wishes. Thinking of JLCCNC or PCBWay's CNC and 3D printing services if I get enough expendable income, my printer is not suited for super precise parts or engineering grade filaments. I can provide what I have in some public discussion forum like the Polaroid Reddit.