Information on Trend UTR 700 Paper Tape Reader and Facit 4060 Punch - cctalk

10 Jul 2022

Google turns up very little specific information on either of these devices, e.g. nil
return from bit savers.

The best leads I have are:
- The UTR 700 was badge engineered by Ferranti into FM1600B systems, one of which fetched
up at the Centre for Computer History, Cambridge, England; perhaps with documentation. 
Also, as it was used in government systems some maintenance documentation may have fetched
up in the PRO, at Kew.
- Some Facit 4060 documentation, for the 4060, its 4061 & 4063 chums and the 5106
interface, look to be lodged in Box 52 of the ICL Collection at the Science Museum
Library.

The UTR 700 reader looks to be parallel interfaced, 10 single ended outputs from an
interface card.  The jokes start with manufacturer codes, rather than OEM part numbers on
the 14 pin DIL ICs.  However, a little scope work should identify tape out, data 0..7 and
strobe lines.  More interesting questions are lubrication and capacitor replacement -
where a schematic would be a great assistance in deciding how to proceed.  etc etc

The Facit 4060 punch contains no more than the electro-mechanical mechanism : AC drive
motor, solenoids and rotary position sensors.  The 4070 documentation (on BitSavers) may
read across, in terms of sensor characteristics, solenoid operating voltages and snubbing
needs, or it may not.  That reconstructing the schematic would be straightforward simply
identifies how much is missing, and the difficulty of specifying it in the abscence of
documentation.  A classic tape punch interface from data latch and ready, through position
sensing, solenoid drivers and done logic is required, together with auxiliary indications,
e.g. tape out.  etc etc

Any information, wisdom, documentation or pointers to sources would be very much
appreciated.

To state the obvious, I was passed these devices by Philip Belben

Martin