29 Dec
2010
29 Dec
'10
11:53 a.m.
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 beelive a lot ot Tektronix storage tiube devices, not just terminals,
ahd this interface. So your printer controller would hav wider applications.
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
I thought it was partially photographic, which a 1-line CRT (a very odd
looking tube) pointing at light sensitive paper. But it's been a long
time since I was inside one.
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
I was very happy with this project until I read that part. I am totlaly
in favour iof making modern peripherals for old machines. But I really
don;t like stripping classic hardware for no good reason.Sure the paper
for the 631 is unobtainable now. But I still feel the design of said
printer is interesting, and they should be preserved if possible.
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.
-tony