16 May
2024
16 May
'24
5:26 p.m.
On May 16, 2024, at 11:22 AM, Martin Bishop via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
It looks as though Decitek remain in business http://www.decitek.com/index.html
Scan of a series 700 reader manual on bitsavers http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/decitek/
On an optical reader, I would not recon the capstan running at power on as unusual - a
pinch roller which engages for drive and a tape clamp engaging for stop motion are both
common features. For simple single byte read operations, probably the paradigm used when
the unit was built, it is not uncommon for the sprocket hole to stop feed and energise
clamp.
There are two basic design schemes for optical tape readers: a sprocket wheel that engages
the tape and does the start-stop motion, typically with a stepper motor; and a transport
roller with pinch roller and brake, typically solenoid driven. The DEC PC11 is an
exaxmple of the former. The latter are more likely to show up in high speed readers
because the tape motion is continuous, so easier on the tape as long as it doesn't
need to stop.
I'm still amazed at the Electrologica X8 tape reader, rated at over 1000 characters
per second, and able to stop and restart without skipping a byte.
paul