3 Feb
2011
3 Feb
'11
10:12 a.m.
Hi there! I'm horribly behind on my Classiccmp e-mails - this one
arrived about 5 weeks ago, and I've only just read it.
On 29/12/2010 03:20, Richard wrote:
OK, I've been studying the circuit diagrams and
service manuals for
the Tektronix 4014 printer interface:
<http://bitsavers.org/pdf/tektronix/401x/070-2303-00_4014_4015_Service_Mar79.pdf>
<http://bitsavers.org/pdf/tektronix/463x/070-1831-02_4631_Service_Nov79.pdf>
I'm starting a project to create a modern printer interface for the
terminal. This involves creating the optional target signal amplifier
board for the 4010/4014 and creating a microcontroller based board
that will drive the terminal like a 4631 printer and scan out the
image from the storage tube for digitizing as a digital image. The
amplifier board is what distinguishes a 4010/4014 from a 4010/4014-1
and provides the signals for the printer.
I think that's an excellent idea. I have a 4006 terminal, and a 4052
computer, and I might want to use it on either of them. Most likely the
4052.
The original 4631 printer is a completely analog
device that scans out
the storage tube and transfers the electrical signal to a dry silver
paper for printing. This design will treat the analog signal supplied
to the printer as a signal for digitizing into a raster image. I plan
on housing mine inside a 4632 video hardcopy shell with a modern printer
inside driven by the controller. Who knows, this project might make
those 4631/4632 printers useful again, considering that noone is going
to be getting a new supply of dry silver paper anytime soon.
I actually have a couple of rolls of paper still in original cardboard
cylinders. Probably long dead, though.
However...
I only have one 4631, not working. At present it is only a museum
piece, but if I eviscerate it to put in a modern printer, it is not even
that.
In addition, while I could easily afford a modern printer to transplant
into the 4631 case, why should I when I have a perfectly good printer
already, plugged into my PC?
I'd prefer to take the raster image and save it in a suitable file
format (TIFF?) for putting on a PC and printing on any old printer.
This would make it much more flexible, and I think it would be of
benefit to do so.
Please reply to me off-list if you are interested in
collaborating
with me on this project.
Sorry, I lack the hardware expertise. But I'll be happy to copy the
relevant bits of the 4050 series manuals for you if this would help.
Philip.