Decitek Reader and Remix punch

Here is some quick info on the Remex punch. The early models used a Facit mechanism while the later ones used a Remex engineered mechanism. The Facit's operated at 75 cps while the Remex operated at 120 cps. Remex suggested using oiled based paper tape for the lowest wear characteristics. Both Facit and Remex punches used bearing supported rotational solenoids. Bad bearings would show up as hanging chads or double eyebrows on the tape. The driver rods would also exhibit wear in the (nylon) hammer to punch pin interface and require replacement when their clearance exceeded specifications. The punch die contained grease and required refreshment. Punch pins would loose their sharpness and exhibit solenoid like problems. The punch pins and die were a matched set and each pin was matched to a specific hole in the die. I believe Facit also produced a 120 cps punch following Remex. Its possible that the Facit parts may fit and be useable on the Remex punches since it may be difficult to find any Remex parts at this time. Power supply issues could make it appear that a punch was bad. Lots of peak power is needed to get each rotational solenoid moving so if your punch exhibts problems make sure you test power supply response when driving all 8 punch pins. You can use your computer to drive the punch interface with different ones & zero test patterns. The following electrical documentation exists at the URL below. Its generic depending on the interface cable but typically Remex punches used a DB25 connector with similar signals and names. The interface was standard TTL (0-5v). http://www.adrco.com/download/ami_man.pdf J6 - PUNCH CONNECTOR - DB25S Female connector Standard Punch timings are supported. You can directly cable to the controls punch port. Some controls have circuits powered by the power supply inside the FACIT punch. The AMI does not source power, so if your control does not punch via AMI - check if you need to supply power somewhere. The pin-out for parallel punch emulation is shown below. J6-PinSignal name I/O J6-PINSIGNAL NAME I/O 1 DATA BIT 1 O 14 INPUT MODE -* 2 DATA BIT 2 O 15 OUTPUT MODE -* 3 DATA BIT 3 O 16 CHASSIS - 4 DATA BIT 4 O 17 CHASSIS - 5 DATA BIT 5 O 18 GND - 6 DATA BIT 6 O 19 no connect - 7 DATA BIT 7 O 20 PUNCH ERROR O 8 DATA BIT 8 O 21 GND - 9 no connect - 22 +5V(510. to +5V)O 10 no connect - 23 GND - 11 PUNCH CMD I 24 +5V(510. to +5V)O 12 PUNCH READY O 25 GND - 13 GND -