IBM
VTC P.37 – Learning How to Build a Paper Tape Reader!
VTC P.37 – Learning How to Build a Paper Tape Reader!
#VTC #P.37 #Learning #Build #Paper #Tape #Reader
“Usagi Electric”
The one-bit vacuum tube computer is back baby! Well, kind of. The reason it’s been so long since we last took a look at it is because I’ve been doing some serious thinking about how best to build the paper tape. I experimented with a lot of ideas before finally settling on a “Keep It…
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Question: the supposed VTVM schematic at the 22 minute mark is actually a radio receiver, a simple superhet All American 5, am I missing something here?
But can it run Crysis? 😁
Many thank patrons!
Hey, I guess Freecad will be great to use, it’s opensource and free 🙂
I see your Conar vacuum tube multimeter and raise you my passive AVO meter which also has a humungous, mirror-backed dial. 😜
Appreciated the "cook's tour" of your vacuum tube computer's architecture and origins, as well as the summary of your investigations into designs for your own paper-tape reader and how each might or might not meet your design constraints.
P.S.: Glad you didn't decide to use mercury delay lines as WW][ era DRAM, rofl!
For such a relatively simple model I enjoy using Tinkercad. I wish there was something similar as a stand-alone desktop application honestly; but nothing gets close.
my first idea for a paper tape reader mechanism was to use pneumatics as that was the earliest non contact system for reading punched paper.
But, while for a mechanical system like a player piano it would have been well suited, it would most likely be needlessly complex for a digital system.
Fusion 360 is my go to for 3D modelling
Can neons be light sensors?
free for noncommercial use Fusion 360, tones of online support, worth the medium to steep learning curve. I get the better results from a youtube search when I can't do something and FF to the place the person does the thing.
Do you know how curious marc teletype and apolo test equipement work ?
You need a 3d model of a block with 9 holes in it? I think you just need a mill with a DRO (or a dial indicator even attached to one axis), and a block – done – no 3d model required.
I've always wanted to build a paper tape or card reader. I thought about using a bunch of photo resistors and a light connected to something like a Raspberry PI. I never did it, but seeing this video, I may try designing one now. At worst, I get out the breadboard and fry something. At best, I finally finish a project I've thought about. Either way, I will hopefully learn something. Thanks for the video!
Nice, for a moment I was worried about seeing handmade mechanical reader. As this photodiode-holder-block is reasonably simple part, I think it would be more period accurate to write G-code for CNC by hand. G code is quite easy to understand, and hand written code was used a lot in old days.
Yeah, and some old CNC machines used paper tape as an input for drilling and milling instructions. A slight warning, different machines interpret some G code commands differently so it's best to check Cotroller-box manuals what parameters and modes that system support.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code
PS: in these days most hobbyist found abot Gcode while using 3D printers. With those one usually use Slicer programs to create Gcode from Stl files.
Coincidentally, I just stumbled across UK national treasure Tim Hunkin's old television series on Youtube, search for "The Secret Life of the Word Processor – Remastered" and marvel at the mighty Pegasus computer with its paper tape reader.
It was worth the wait. Great content
It would be a treat if you could mold and cast the Bendix photo diode mount and reuse it. It wouldn't get more period correct than that! Also, I'm here for the rambles, don't stop! In fact, if you could give a little extra ramble on how you are calculating those resistor values, that would be great! Thanks Patreons!
Give ONDSEL a try for a free MCAD program
i want to see the paper tape loop 😳
Lasers. Small light beam. Predictable, precision light sorce, and no bleed over to the other bits if shielded from each other. Could be a simple reader, and no damage to the paper.
Why not use an existing tape reader and adopt the electronics.
Cool project! I use Autodesk Fusion for free, is a beginner friendly parametric CAD opption.
Most people will probably recommend Fusion 360 as that seems to be the most commonly used CAD program around the maker scene, personally I prefer SolidEdge (there's a free Community Edition available)
Onshape is what I use. They also like sponsoring YouTubers
putting the Tube into YouTube