11 Jan
2009
11 Jan
'09
2:24 a.m.
I'm currently working on refurbishing a small analog computer from the
mid-60's. It has the name "Tyrotek" on the front panel, in the middle of a
sine
wave curve. (My) web searches turn up zippo about this name (other than some
guy using the word as a moniker).
The only other clue to a manufacturer is "Non Linear Mfg." in the foil of the
printed circuit boards. No model number, no identification plate.
While it is smaller for an analog computer and appears to be intended as an
educational or training unit, it is built to industrial standards, with a nice
sizeable plugboard using standard IBM plugboard wires, fiberglass PCBs,
discrete FET-input op-amps, etc., so it's not just some gimmicky thing.
Eventually I'll have a web page for it, but right now I'm curious as to it's
manufacturer origins. Just a guess, but one line of speculation I'm making is
that "Non Linear Mfg." may have been the manufacturing arm of Non-Linear
Systems of digital voltmeter fame, and Tyrotek was a subsidiary of, or
otherwise associated, with NLS.
Comments / clues / recollections?
11 Jan
11 Jan
6:45 p.m.
From: hilpert at cs.ubc.ca
I'm currently working on refurbishing a small analog computer from the
mid-60's. It has the name "Tyrotek" on the front panel, in the middle of a
sine
wave curve. (My) web searches turn up zippo about this name (other than some
guy using the word as a moniker).
The only other clue to a manufacturer is "Non Linear Mfg." in the foil of the
printed circuit boards. No model number, no identification plate.
While it is smaller for an analog computer and appears to be intended as an
educational or training unit, it is built to industrial standards, with a nice
sizeable plugboard using standard IBM plugboard wires, fiberglass PCBs,
discrete FET-input op-amps, etc., so it's not just some gimmicky thing.
Eventually I'll have a web page for it, but right now I'm curious as to it's
manufacturer origins. Just a guess, but one line of speculation I'm making is
that "Non Linear Mfg." may have been the manufacturing arm of Non-Linear
Systems of digital voltmeter fame, and Tyrotek was a subsidiary of, or
otherwise associated, with NLS.
Hi
Sounds intresting. I do question the date. It is more likely in the
70's. You might look at some of the date codes from the parts.
How many amps does it have? Can they all be configured as integrators?
Any special operators like multipliers? Does it have a two speed
integrator function like the Comdynas?
Dwight
_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live?: Keep your life in sync.
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12 Jan
12 Jan
3:06 a.m.
dwight elvey wrote:
Oh, it really is mid-60's, date codes are one of the first things I look for
on any piece of quipment. Latest date code is 6734 on a 'lytic cap,
66xx on some other components.
If you were questioning the date because of my reference to op-amps,
("discrete FET-input op-amps"), to clarify, I mean the entire op-amp
is discrete, not discrete FETs feeding an op-amp IC. There are no ICs
in the unit.
There are a total of 10 amps. 4 can be configured as integrators or summers, 4
are just summers. 2 have associated circuitry to make them into multipliers
or dividers, or can be used as just summers.
I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to as the two-speed function, but
there was an option (going by the front panel labeling and some wiring) (option
not installed) to change the "Time Scale" for the integrators. I believe it
changed the integrating caps for all the amps, but it's a 'global' change,
not
individually selectable per amp.
The unit had been languishing in my basement for a few years, on the verge of
being thrown out. Now that I've gotten into it, it has been fun figuring out
something 'completely different', never having worked on or with one previously.
Of course, I don't have the manual for the thing. I've done the schematic,
which has made it possible to figure out a lot of it.
There's not a lot on the web about analog computers, but there are a couple of
scans of manufacturer brochures and an article or two that are cluing me in to
the standard practices of the time.
It's currently in a million pieces across 3 workbenches, almost ready for
reassembly. (Most of the nuts and screws and a few other metal parts had grown
that white powder that develops under certain conditions on some metal
surfaces. I've seen it on other equipment, I presume it's an oxide of the metal
plating, although it also has the appearance of a mildew or fungus. I'm not sure
what element the plating is. Fortunately, it's only a 'mechanical' issue, it
isn't
affecting the circuitry or contacts.)
If you have experience with these things I may be back asking some questions in
a while, once it's all together and functioning and I can put up some pictures.
What can be done with it when it's functioning will be another question.
The only built-in 'output' device is a solitary analog meter. I have my eye on
an HP analog chart recorder buried at the radio museum, to use as an output
recorder, but I expect it has ink issues in the way of getting it going.
(At least the plugboard looks cool.)
From: hilpert at cs.ubc.ca
I'm currently working on refurbishing a small analog computer from the
mid-60's. It has the name "Tyrotek" on the front panel, in the middle of a
sine
wave curve. (My) web searches turn up zippo about this name (other than some
guy using the word as a moniker).
The only other clue to a manufacturer is "Non Linear Mfg." in the foil of the
printed circuit boards. No model number, no identification plate.
While it is smaller for an analog computer and appears to be intended as an
educational or training unit, it is built to industrial standards, with a nice
sizeable plugboard using standard IBM plugboard wires, fiberglass PCBs,
discrete FET-input op-amps, etc., so it's not just some gimmicky thing.
Eventually I'll have a web page for it, but right now I'm curious as to it's
manufacturer origins. Just a guess, but one line of speculation I'm making is
that "Non Linear Mfg." may have been the manufacturing arm of Non-Linear
Systems of digital voltmeter fame, and Tyrotek was a subsidiary of, or
otherwise associated, with NLS.
Hi
Sounds intresting. I do question the date. It is more likely in the
70's. You might look at some of the date codes from the parts.
How many amps does it have? Can they all be configured as integrators?
Any special operators like multipliers? Does it have a two speed
integrator function like the Comdynas?
Dwight 
8:20 a.m.
This is where a deep cataloguing really helps. When in a good mood I
catalogue the adverts and new products on books mags etc. No one can
find without this legwork, OCR if Google can read will help.
Use advert to see a small sample http://www.archivist.info/collection
Dave Caroline
10:13 a.m.
----------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:06:26 -0800
From: hilpert at cs.ubc.ca
To: General at invalid.domain
CC:
Subject: Re: "Tyrotek" analog computer
dwight elvey wrote:
Oh, it really is mid-60's, date codes are one of the first things I look for
on any piece of quipment. Latest date code is 6734 on a 'lytic cap,
66xx on some other components.
If you were questioning the date because of my reference to op-amps,
("discrete FET-input op-amps"), to clarify, I mean the entire op-amp
is discrete, not discrete FETs feeding an op-amp IC. There are no ICs
in the unit.
There are a total of 10 amps. 4 can be configured as integrators or summers, 4
are just summers. 2 have associated circuitry to make them into multipliers
or dividers, or can be used as just summers.
Hi
It does sound like what was used as the basis for the Comdyna 10.
You might email the fellow at Comdyna and ask if he recognizes this
machine.
From: hilpert at cs.ubc.ca
I'm currently working on refurbishing a small analog computer from the
mid-60's. It has the name "Tyrotek" on the front panel, in the middle of a
sine
wave curve. (My) web searches turn up zippo about this name (other than some
guy using the word as a moniker).
The only other clue to a manufacturer is "Non Linear Mfg." in the foil of the
printed circuit boards. No model number, no identification plate.
While it is smaller for an analog computer and appears to be intended as an
educational or training unit, it is built to industrial standards, with a nice
sizeable plugboard using standard IBM plugboard wires, fiberglass PCBs,
discrete FET-input op-amps, etc., so it's not just some gimmicky thing.
Eventually I'll have a web page for it, but right now I'm curious as to it's
manufacturer origins. Just a guess, but one line of speculation I'm making is
that "Non Linear Mfg." may have been the manufacturing arm of Non-Linear
Systems of digital voltmeter fame, and Tyrotek was a subsidiary of, or
otherwise associated, with NLS.
Hi
Sounds intresting. I do question the date. It is more likely in the
70's. You might look at some of the date codes from the parts.
How many amps does it have? Can they all be configured as integrators?
Any special operators like multipliers? Does it have a two speed
integrator function like the Comdynas?
Dwight
I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to as the two-speed function, but
there was an option (going by the front panel labeling and some wiring) (option
not installed) to change the "Time Scale" for the integrators. I believe it
changed the integrating caps for all the amps, but it's a 'global' change,
not
individually selectable per amp.
Yes, that is what I was talking about. The Comdynas come with a switch
that controls relays at each integrator( in parallel ) such that one
can slow the time constants down. This is handy for plotting on a
chart recorder.
I think that it uses a factor of 30 but most any works as it is all
done in parallel and as long as all is modelled as integrators and
with differentiators( usually can be avoided ).
The unit had been languishing in my basement for a few years, on the verge of
being thrown out. Now that I've gotten into it, it has been fun figuring out
something 'completely different', never having worked on or with one previously.
Of course, I don't have the manual for the thing. I've done the schematic,
which has made it possible to figure out a lot of it.
There's not a lot on the web about analog computers, but there are a couple of
scans of manufacturer brochures and an article or two that are cluing me in to
the standard practices of the time.
It's currently in a million pieces across 3 workbenches, almost ready for
reassembly. (Most of the nuts and screws and a few other metal parts had grown
that white powder that develops under certain conditions on some metal
surfaces. I've seen it on other equipment, I presume it's an oxide of the metal
plating, although it also has the appearance of a mildew or fungus. I'm not sure
what element the plating is. Fortunately, it's only a 'mechanical' issue, it
isn't
affecting the circuitry or contacts.)
Most likely zinc, lead or aluminum oxides. This is common for items store
where they might have condensing moisture.
If you have experience with these things I may be back asking some questions in
a while, once it's all together and functioning and I can put up some pictures.
I've played some with them. A fun example is the bouncing ball example
from the EC-1 by heath kit. It will give you an idea of
how one models
a physical system into the computer.
Look at the configuration. There is a way to reduce the number of
op-amps needed by one ( I forget now ). It saves two free amps that
can be used to create a sine/cosine oscillator for the ball instead of
the 60 Hz one in the example. For use with a plotter, you don't want
the ball anyway, it is just fun on an oscilloscope but not needed
otherwise. A dot bounces just as nicely.
Dwight
What can be done with it when it's functioning will be another question.
The only built-in 'output' device is a solitary analog meter. I have my eye on
an HP analog chart recorder buried at the radio museum, to use as an output
recorder, but I expect it has ink issues in the way of getting it going.
(At least the plugboard looks cool.)
_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live?: Keep your life in sync.
http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_allup_explore_012009
13 Jan
13 Jan
1:13 a.m.
dwight elvey wrote:
Found the web page, and yes, it does seem similar in size and functionality to
the Comdyna GP-6 or 10. I'll follow up with him as you suggest.
In it's 'normal' form the plating has a flat white-grey appearance, no blue
or
yellow tinge as one gets with other plates. To my observation it was used
roughly from the late-30's/40s to the 60s/early-70's and then (thankfully)
seems to have fallen out of favour.
From: hilpert at cs.ubc.ca
There are a total of 10 amps. 4 can be configured as integrators or summers, 4
are just summers. 2 have associated circuitry to make them into multipliers
or dividers, or can be used as just summers.
Hi
It does sound like what was used as the basis for the Comdyna 10.
You might email the fellow at Comdyna and ask if he recognizes this
machine. It's
currently in a million pieces across 3 workbenches, almost ready for
reassembly. (Most of the nuts and screws and a few other metal parts had grown
that white powder that develops under certain conditions on some metal
surfaces. I've seen it on other equipment, I presume it's an oxide of the metal
plating, although it also has the appearance of a mildew or fungus. I'm not sure
what element the plating is. Fortunately, it's only a 'mechanical' issue, it
isn't
affecting the circuitry or contacts.)
Most likely zinc, lead or aluminum oxides. This is common for items store
where they might have condensing moisture. I've played some with them. A fun example is the
bouncing ball example
from the EC-1 by heath kit. It will give you an idea of how one models
a physical system into the computer.
Look at the configuration. There is a way to reduce the number of
op-amps needed by one ( I forget now ). It saves two free amps that
can be used to create a sine/cosine oscillator for the ball instead of
the 60 Hz one in the example. For use with a plotter, you don't want
the ball anyway, it is just fun on an oscilloscope but not needed
otherwise. A dot bounces just as nicely.
.. have to see if one can still get the manual for the EC-1, re discussion of a
couple of weeks ago about access to Heath manuals being removed from the web.
11:05 a.m.
Brent Hilpert wrote:
---- snipped ------
.. have to see if one can still get the manual for the EC-1, re discussion of a
couple of weeks ago about access to Heath manuals being removed from the web.
I put up my copy here:
http://www.dvq.com/docs/oldhkits/EC1-OP.pdf
Bob
/ /
15 Jan
15 Jan
1:08 a.m.
Scanning wrote:
I have a PDF of the schematic for the Heathkit EC-1 and / or there is a guy
on Ebay selling the Operations manual for $8.00 and free shipping ;
Item number - 120362320437
Bob Rosenbloom wrote:
Brent Hilpert wrote:
Thanks, I've downloaded a copy.
.. have to see if one can still get the manual
for the EC-1, re discussion of a
couple of weeks ago about access to Heath manuals being removed from the web.
I put up my copy here:
http://www.dvq.com/docs/oldhkits/EC1-OP.pdf
12 Jan
12 Jan
11:07 a.m.
Brent Hilpert wrote:
dwight elvey wrote:
Oh, it really is mid-60's, date codes are one of the first things I look for
on any piece of quipment. Latest date code is 6734 on a 'lytic cap,
66xx on some other components.
If you were questioning the date because of my reference to op-amps,
("discrete FET-input op-amps"), to clarify, I mean the entire op-amp
is discrete, not discrete FETs feeding an op-amp IC. There are no ICs
in the unit.
There are a total of 10 amps. 4 can be configured as integrators or summers, 4
are just summers. 2 have associated circuitry to make them into multipliers
or dividers, or can be used as just summers.
I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to as the two-speed function, but
there was an option (going by the front panel labeling and some wiring) (option
not installed) to change the "Time Scale" for the integrators. I believe it
changed the integrating caps for all the amps, but it's a 'global' change,
not
individually selectable per amp.
The unit had been languishing in my basement for a few years, on the verge of
being thrown out. Now that I've gotten into it, it has been fun figuring out
something 'completely different', never having worked on or with one previously.
Of course, I don't have the manual for the thing. I've done the schematic,
which has made it possible to figure out a lot of it.
There's not a lot on the web about analog computers, but there are a couple of
scans of manufacturer brochures and an article or two that are cluing me in to
the standard practices of the time.
It's currently in a million pieces across 3 workbenches, almost ready for
reassembly. (Most of the nuts and screws and a few other metal parts had grown
that white powder that develops under certain conditions on some metal
surfaces. I've seen it on other equipment, I presume it's an oxide of the metal
plating, although it also has the appearance of a mildew or fungus. I'm not sure
what element the plating is. Fortunately, it's only a 'mechanical' issue, it
isn't
affecting the circuitry or contacts.)
If you have experience with these things I may be back asking some questions in
a while, once it's all together and functioning and I can put up some pictures.
What can be done with it when it's functioning will be another question.
The only built-in 'output' device is a solitary analog meter. I have my eye on
an HP analog chart recorder buried at the radio museum, to use as an output
recorder, but I expect it has ink issues in the way of getting it going.
(At least the plugboard looks cool.)
One output device to use is an oscilloscope.
Here's a photo of my Comdyna generating a double-well
chaos equation:
http://www.dvq.com/oldcomp/analog/chaos1.jpg
Bob
From:
hilpert at cs.ubc.ca
I'm currently working on refurbishing a small analog computer from the
mid-60's. It has the name "Tyrotek" on the front panel, in the middle of a
sine
wave curve. (My) web searches turn up zippo about this name (other than some
guy using the word as a moniker).
The only other clue to a manufacturer is "Non Linear Mfg." in the foil of the
printed circuit boards. No model number, no identification plate.
While it is smaller for an analog computer and appears to be intended as an
educational or training unit, it is built to industrial standards, with a nice
sizeable plugboard using standard IBM plugboard wires, fiberglass PCBs,
discrete FET-input op-amps, etc., so it's not just some gimmicky thing.
Eventually I'll have a web page for it, but right now I'm curious as to it's
manufacturer origins. Just a guess, but one line of speculation I'm making is
that "Non Linear Mfg." may have been the manufacturing arm of Non-Linear
Systems of digital voltmeter fame, and Tyrotek was a subsidiary of, or
otherwise associated, with NLS.
Hi
Sounds intresting. I do question the date. It is more likely in the
70's. You might look at some of the date codes from the parts.
How many amps does it have? Can they all be configured as integrators?
Any special operators like multipliers? Does it have a two speed
integrator function like the Comdynas?
Dwight
13 Jan
13 Jan
1:13 a.m.
Bob Rosenbloom wrote:
Brent Hilpert wrote:
Neat, hadn't seen these Comdynas before you and Dwight mentioned them.
One issue is this Tyrotek doesn't have an automatic cycling mode, it looks like such
was another option. The control states are Reset (initial conditions), Operate
(calculate)
and Hold, no "Repeat-Op". So to use it with a scope I would have to build a
cycling unit, (possible, the connections are there to do it, but
something more to do), or, I guess, build oscillators as part of the program.
I can almost trace out the program from your photo, but do you have it written
or diagrammed in some format that could be easily communicated? I take it there
are back-panel connections to the scope in the setup you show, I see only
the one feed to the scope.
What can be done with it when it's
functioning will be another question.
The only built-in 'output' device is a solitary analog meter. I have my eye on
an HP analog chart recorder buried at the radio museum, to use as an output
recorder, but I expect it has ink issues in the way of getting it going.
One output device to use is an oscilloscope.
Here's a photo of my Comdyna generating a double-well
chaos equation:
http://www.dvq.com/oldcomp/analog/chaos1.jpg 
4:59 a.m.
Brent,
I have a PDF of the schematic for the Heathkit EC-1 and / or there is a guy
on Ebay selling the Operations manual for $8.00 and free shipping ;
Item number - 120362320437
Best regards, Steven
Found the web page, and yes, it does seem similar in size and functionality to
blue or
dwight elvey wrote:
>
> > From: hilpert at cs.ubc.ca
> > There are a total of 10 amps. 4 can be configured as integrators or
summers, 4
> > are just summers. 2 have associated
circuitry to make them into
multipliers
or dividers, or can be used as just summers.
Hi
It does sound like what was used as the basis for the Comdyna 10.
You might email the fellow at Comdyna and ask if he recognizes this
machine. the Comdyna GP-6 or 10. I'll follow up with him as
you suggest.
> > It's currently in a million pieces across 3 workbenches, almost ready
for
> > reassembly. (Most of the nuts and screws and
a few other metal parts
had grown
> > that white powder that develops under
certain conditions on some metal
> > surfaces. I've seen it on other equipment, I presume it's an oxide of
the metal
> > plating, although it also has the appearance
of a mildew or fungus.
I'm not sure
> > what element the plating is. Fortunately,
it's only a 'mechanical'
issue, it isn't
> > affecting the circuitry or contacts.)
>
> Most likely zinc, lead or aluminum oxides. This is common for items
store
where they
might have condensing moisture.
In it's 'normal' form the plating has a flat white-grey appearance, no
yellow tinge as one gets with other plates. To my
observation it was used
roughly from the late-30's/40s to the 60s/early-70's and then (thankfully)
seems to have fallen out of favour.
of a
I've played some with them. A fun example is
the bouncing ball example
from the EC-1 by heath kit. It will give you an idea of how one models
a physical system into the computer.
Look at the configuration. There is a way to reduce the number of
op-amps needed by one ( I forget now ). It saves two free amps that
can be used to create a sine/cosine oscillator for the ball instead of
the 60 Hz one in the example. For use with a plotter, you don't want
the ball anyway, it is just fun on an oscilloscope but not needed
otherwise. A dot bounces just as nicely.
.. have to see if one can still get the manual for the EC-1, re discussion couple of weeks ago about access to Heath manuals
being removed from the
web.
5668
days inactive
5672
days old
10 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
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bobalan＠sbcglobal.net -
dave.thearchivist＠gmail.com -
dkelvey＠hotmail.com -
hilpert＠cs.ubc.ca -
steven.alan.canning＠verizon.net