The assembly of an Argus camera is in a sense the "proof of the pudding" of all of the designing, product engineering, tooiing and planning that hasgone before. Contrary to popular conception, a camera, or any product for that matter, is not merely the sum of its parts. If it were, the making of cameras would be simple; we would just make machines to

rnake the camera and assemble the parts. It is necessary for the people assembling the camera to use judgement and intelligence in placing the various parts in their proper order at the proper time. Here on the third floor where the cameras are assembled there are about three major divisions of opera tions that go into the finished cameras. These are:

(i) sub-assembly (2) semi-machining of parís (3) final assembly. Of the seven different models of cameras that are assembled here the two that have the highest production are the tt75" and the "03". It is on these lines that mass production of a camera can best be appreciated. The necessity for careful design, planning, etc., are needed in

the utmost for high production. (I) Sub-assembly: The various parts that are sent up from raw inspection are assembled into larger units on the assembly line. While sometimes the least appreciated toward the production of a camera, sub-assembly of the components is one of the most important. In reality, all of the various steps of assembling a camera are sub-assembly. On the "75" line for example the plastic frontplate that contains the shutter mechanism is sub -assembled. This requires riveting to the plastic many levers and springs and electrical contacts. The people on the main assembly line are dependent on the proper installation of these parts in order to achieve the daily production. On the C3 line the sub-assembly area is greater than the final assembly area. Here they sub-assemble rangefinders, adjust frontplates, leather backs and frontplates, assemble the firing mechanism, etc. (2) Semi-machining: On every line at Argus there are certain machine opera - tions that are performed right on the assembly or sub-assembly lines. Such operations include, buffing the base for the rangefinders on the C3, fitting of backs for the "75". soldering and filing electrical contacts, off-hand grinding, drilling and other operations that have proven best to be performed right on the same floor where the cameras are assembled. (3) Final assembly: On the final assembly lines, of course, all of the subassemblies and parts are put together in sequence to make the finished product. On the C3 line for instance the basis for starting the camera is the heavy plastic case into which are placed the many parts, such as, film spools, shutter, frontplates, objective lens assemblies,

rangefinders, etc. After the parts are placed in their respective places, it is necessary to adjust the camera so that it will function properly. This requires setting the speeds, focusing the objectives, setting the rangefinders and other adjustments. After completion, the camera is inspected for proper firing, rangefinder setting, synchronization of the flash to the shutter opening, and general appearance. When inspection has passed the camera, it is placed in a leather case and packed in a box together with price tag and instruction book. The shipping department then takes over and takes the cameras to shipping and prepares them for sending out to the many dealers. The above description of the assembly of a camera may sound very simple and cut and dried. It is seldom that. There is another aspect of making a camera

that is most exaspera ting; this is what might be known as diseases of camera lines. There are times when troubles with making the cameras function properly seem to pop up out of nowhere and cause endless obstructions to getting the cameras to the shipping room. Many of them are obvious such as a forgotten burr or some other slight malformation of a part. It is almost impossible to find a logical cause for other troubles. Some of them come and go in definite cycles and before the cause can be discovered they are gone. Others may be caused by an odd accumulation of tolerances on parts; in which every part may be to print but because they are all on the high limit or low limit they will not function together properly. It is here that a troubleshooter goes int o action to try and find the cause of trouble and to elimínate it as quickly as possible.

Argus Eyes

Argus Eyes is published for the employees oí Argus. Incorporated and their families. It is intended to be a means of friendly communication beiween them, and to provide a reliable source of information concerning the company's business. Beverly Bullis of the Personnel department makes sure that news is gathered and that pictures are obtained and arranged in readable fashion for publication about the lOth of each month. Charles A. Barker, "Jimmy" to all. is Art Director and Art Consultant. The proüles are done by Harry Rookes. Sam Schneider of the Photographic Department furnishes picturesu Reportera for this month's Argus Eyes were: Ethel Huffman, James Meidrum, Delton Maple, Geraldine Space, Eddie Girvan, Alice Weir, Harold Bailey, Norm Symons, Olin Robinson, Bill Fike, and Roy Craik.

Reviewing Argus Progress

Our orders for the first part of January have been heavier than is customary right after Christmas. This bears out the results of our last inventory survey, which showed that dealers' inventories were about at minimum at the end of December. We are still producing cameras and projectors at a relatively high rate, but it is impossible to teil what problems may arise in the near future. The scarcity of various parts is becoming a common occurrence, and we are all very conscious of the possibility that further material restrictions could seriously interfere with production. We are gradually increasing our volume of Government business, which we hope will ease this situation. Even though the demand for cameras should exceed the supply, we do not intend to stop our advertising program. We are now in the process of preparing three films for televisión spot announcements which can be used by dealers throughout the country. We are also working on our display for the annual Photographic Show to be held in Atlantic City, in March. In addition to the featuring of the Model C-4, we intend to set up a televisión set and simúlate the televising of the spot announcements. As you know, we have formed a group of our key men who meet once a month to discuss various Company problems. I

wantto reemphasize that one of the major purposes of this group is to facilítate the flow of information in both directions among employees and the management group. The key men are continually informed about the operations of the Company and the progress we are making. Please feel free to talk over your problems with any of them at any time. We are all becoming increasingly conscious of the high tax rates, and the probability of a still higher rate sometime this year. The Excess Profits Tax will definitely limit the profits which can be made by our Company during the emergency period. According to the present rates, 62% of our entire net profit will be absorbed by Income and Excess Profits Taxes, and it is expected that this percentage will substantially increase. This is all in addition, of course, to the Federal Excise Tax of 25% which is imposed on all cameras we sell. I want to remind y ou, however, that the Company 's contribution to the Profit -Sharing Fund amounts to 10% of the Company 's profit before Income and Excess Profits Taxes, so that these taxes do not penalize you as a Fund member. Furthermore, you do not have to pay Income Tax on the amount of the Company contribution allocated to you until you actually receive the cash at time of retirement.

Your Future With United States Savings Bonds

Millions of Americans are buying Savings Bonds systematically as personal reserves and to add regularly to their funds for important lifetime purposes, such as buying a home, farm, or business, sending children to college, providing for retirement and travel. No matter what your particular family program calis for financially, the best possible way to get the money for it is to save regularly. A convenient way to do this is to buy Savings Bonds on the Payroll Savings Plan where you work or the Bond-aMonth Plan where you bank. United States Savings Stamps, which may be purchased through many schools, offer young people a convenient way to accumulate the purchase price of a Savings Bond.

Mobile X Ray Unit

Have you had your picture taken lately? Probably not. at least, not the kind of picture that I am speaking of. These pictures are of your chest, more commonly known as x-ray pictures, They are provided for your benefit at no cost to you, and are taken as a safeguard against T.B. Some of our older employees have the satisfaction of knowing they have had an x-ray every two years since the fall of 1943. Through the co-operation of the Michigan Department of Health, our local Washtenaw County Medical Society and Dr. Otto Engelke, our good friend and health officer, this service is made available to us. In the past, we have had 100% participa tion. However, this is purely a voluntary program, and no one is compelled to have an x-ray taken. We are going to have the unit here at our plant sometime in January. Notices will be put up later so you will know the exact day and time. It will be set up in the First Aid room and I'm sure you all know where that is. The actual taking of pictures is very simple. All you do is stand in front of the x-ray machine, in street clothes, take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds - and that's all. Easy, isn't it I'm looking forward to seeing all of you at the First Aid room to have your "picture" taken.

Tool Rumors

Harold Sweet, who was confined to his home for a few weeks due to illness, is back with us again. He looks just as chipper as ever. Harley Boughner is basking in the sunshine, or relaxing under a palm tree in Florida. Harley has the right idea - winter vacations. Santa was nice to all the boys in the Tool Room. They all had a wonderful Christmas. On behalf of our youngsters, we wish to thank Argus for the nice Children's Christmas party. Even the Moms and Dads enjoyed Santa and the show. Jimmy, what happened to your car?

Profile

Bom in Ann Arbor in the latter part of the Nineteenth Century which is as far as he will go in stating his age. Has a son thirty-eight years old, however, and lives now at 622 Hiscock in Ann Arbor. Is employed in the Paint Shop here although he spent several years in the carpentry shop, bringing with him over eighteen years of experience in the same trade before joining Argus six years ago.

Called In Military Service

Bob left for the Army Tuesday, January 16. He was graduated from Ann Arbor High in February, 1950 and has been working in our Machine Shop since April. In 1947, Bob was Junior Golf Champion of Ann Arbor, and was runner -up in the 1948 and 1949 tournaments. Bob is the son of Bob Barsantee Sr. of the Engineering Department.

Balance Sheet

ASSETS LEDGER VALUES APPRAISED VALUES Cash $8,594.00 8,594.00 Note Receivable - Member 350.00 350.00 Accrued Interest Receivable 2,442.35 2,442.35 Investments U.S. Sav. Bonds Series G - 2-12% $449,000.00 449,000.00 U.S. Treas. Bonds - 2-12% - 7267 101,494.95 100,722.22 Argus, Inc. 5% Cum. Pfd. 200,000.00 200,000.00 750,494.95 749,722.22 Total Assets $761,881.30 761,108.57 LIABILITIES Members' Contributions Unallocated $ 15,921.03 15,921.03 MEMBERS' EQUITY Contributions by Argus, Inc. $ 6 6 Contributions by Members & WageAwards 241,588.35 241,588.35 Accumulated Income and Equity relinquished by members as of beginning of Fiscal Year $ 176,068.23 176,068.23 Net Earnings Aug. I thru Oct. 31 2,904.53 Valuation Adjustment -- 2, 131.80 745,960.27 745,187.54 Total Equity $ 761 ,881.30 761,108.57 ♦Net Earnings Aug. 1 thru Oct. 31 $ 2,904.53 Deduct: Adjust U.S. Treas. 2-12% Bonds 7267 to Market 77273 $ 2,131.80 The appraised value of Members' Equity as of October 31, 1950 was 100.2869% of the ledger value. Valuation Approved: Certified Correct: Mana ging Committee Ann Arbor Trust Company, Trustee Secretary Vice President

Service Scoops

Three members of the Service Department enjoyed a longer than usual holiday this past Christmas and New Year period. Thelma Burke, Jim Rohrbaugh andRoberta Jones tied in some of their alloted vacation time with the holiday season and thereby visited their relatives in a more leisurely fashion. Oh yesl I must mention Jim R. had his flivver repaired, but only when it had let him down somewhere between Ann Arbor and Napoleon, Ohio. The motor reqüired extensive work, but fortunately everything was finished in time for his planned vacation to Wisconsin. We would like to introduce two new members who have just recently joined our happy service group, Guy Levleit and

Bill Martin. Guy has had U. S. Army training in an instrument control section in far off Japan and comes to us well qualified for his present position asfocometer operator and projector repairman. I just have to mention the Christmas party that was held at the Masonic Hall. Everyone had a most enjoyable evening. Why one just couldn't miss having a good time since the talented master of ceremonies and official bartender, Bill Murphy , was giving his all for the gang. Among the group present were: Mr. and Mrs. Torn Kentes, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Purdy, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Nimke, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Farrell, Roberta Jones, Lida Hackbarth, and Dorothy Lixey.

See You Next Year

Santa, his entire supply of toys depleted, is off for his home, the Norin Pole. We were fortúnate to get this photograph ofhim justas he was about toleave. He wished us all a Merry Christmas, and warned us to be good through the coming year. It was so nice of Santa to make an extra special stop at Slauson School for us. We hope he will want to come to our party again next year.

Engineering

The hoUdays were wonderful, but it certainly seems good to have them out of the way and everything back to normal again -- well, almost normal. The engineering department did not have much of a holiday. Most of the people were called in and kept busy by all the contracts. I think a few of them had time for some of their turkey and a little bit of time for Santa Claus. Happy New Year to everybody anyway. An old face returned to Argus after several years. Bill Besenick is now workingin the Engineering Department. Also, a new face, Ken Bernard, is in the Drafting Room. Welcome to both of you. That flash you see going by the plant lately is Rodney Mast sporting a new hard top convertible Pontiac. Some class, Rod.

Men's Bowling League Ladies' Bowling League

Won Lost Argus Camera 55 17 Pressmen 44 28 Paint Shop 40 32 Warehouse 37 35 Skunks 36 36 Projectors 35 37 Matntenance 35 37 Conf. Xperts 33 39 Lensgrinders 32 40 Tool Room 31 41 Screws 30 42 Ten Pins 26 46

Won Lost Schmidt's Beer 49 31 Card & Camera 48 32 Ten Pins 48 32 Erle's Hi-Speed 48 32 Spitfires 46 34 Blue Front 46 34 Brown Keg 39 41 Graves Barber Shop 38 42 Purchase Radio 37 43 Paint Shop 35 44 Happy Gang 25 55 Atom Busters 2 1 59

Anniversaries