[cctalk] Re: Is there a more modern replacement for paper tape punch/reader

On Jun 22, 2025, at 14:48, Wayne S &lt;wayne.sudol(a)hotmail.com&gt; wrote: I think you could get around any potential damage by running the tape between 2 thin flat pieces of metal that had holes drilled vertically that lined up with the laser. Would have to determine what power laser was needed, if you needed more than one laser to get speed — maybe one for each hole. Also would have to have a way to toggle the laser on and off. Would have to get a laser that could be toggled, most are made to be run continuously. Even pulsed are almost continuous. Maybe figure out a way to block the light instead of turning it off. The logic would be easier with a toggle. You made me think about this a lor😀 Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 22, 2025, at 14:16, Wayne S &lt;wayne.sudol(a)hotmail.com&gt; wrote: > > Laser would catch the mylar on fire or melt it at least, i’m thinking. > > > Sent from my iPhone > >>> On Jun 22, 2025, at 14:09, Anders Nelson via cctalk &lt;cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: >> >> I would love to see someone create a galvo-laser system for punching >> paper/mylar tape. On Aliexpress you can get a galvo set for (all prices >> USD) ~$30, a 10W laser head for $40, and I expect making a stepper-motor >> driven capstan wouldn't be too hard for someone with the time. Then add a >> low-speed fan attached to a 3D printed tape guide with a slit for chad >> suction/collection and fume exhaust. Not sure what kind of anvil/platform >> you need for a laser beam - maybe just the uncoated side of a ceramic floor >> tile sitting at an angle in the chad chute to absorb the laser energy, with >> the platform having a void sized for the punching area. >> >> I imagine the whole thing could be pretty compact and wicked fast! >> >> -- >> Anders Nelson >> www.andersknelson.com >> >> >> On Sun, Jun 22, 2025 at 9:24 AM steven(a)malikoff.com steven--- via cctalk < >> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: >> >>>> On 06/21/2025 11:47 PM AEST Gavin Scott via cctalk < >>> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: >>>> A paper-tape reader is easy enough, just something where you manually >>>> pull the tape past an optical reader etc. >>>> >>>> I have a ~cheap diode laser cutter and on my someday get around to it >>>> list is to write a paper tape "punch" program that will cut a one foot >>>> strip of punched paper tape out of a larger piece of paper, with the >>>> possibility of using a roll of paper and manually advance it a foot at >>>> a time using the sprocket holes and some pins for alignment. >>> >>> I wrote a tool to make 5-level Baudot, 8-level ASCII, Whirlwind, chadless >>> etc. paper tape using a home CNC vinyl/stencil cutter >>> https://github.com/1944GPW/ptap2dxf >>> >>> I saw another similar utility on Hackaday that uses a laser, but it did >>> not have as many format options. >>> https://hackaday.com/2025/01/29/paper-tape-with-lasers/ >>> >>> Steve. >>>