31 Jan
2017
31 Jan
'17
4:45 a.m.
On Sun, Jan 29, 2017 at 10:27:49PM -0600, Jon Elson wrote:
I think
we had an Odec chain printer that another group gave us to
use on our VAX. I hacked it up to shut off the chain motor when it
wasn't printing, and then restart it when print data came in.
Mine has a switch to select that and control codes to turn it off and on.
It
had a HORRIBLE habit of running the ribbon off the track and
crumpling the edges. It had some bars with 45 degree angles that
folded the ribbon over to make a 90 degree change in direction to
the reels. When the ribbon was just a little used, it lost some
stiffness and started folding and rolling over the edges. Then the
chain would grab it and make a mess. Otherwise, it was a REALLY
nice printer.
Mine has the same path. The manual has a procedure for adjusting the guides
for ribbon foldover problems. It came with multistrike film ribbons so
hopefully they won't be a pain. Looks like they used 35mm film reels for
the ribbon. Were you using normal inked cloth? Good to know its a nice
printer otherwise. Pretty slow for a chain printer, only 125 LPM. Haven't
figured out if its a real difference or board jumpers between it and the
1423 200 LPM.