-----------Original Message: Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:16:04 -0700 From: Tim Riker <Tim at Rikers.org> Subject: Re: Friden Flexowriter There seem to be more decwriters around and they can often be had for cheaper. No paper tape punch/reader there though. On another topic, I have a "Motorized Tape Punch - Model 2" made by "Commercial Controls Corporation - Rochester 2, New York" which I believe became Friden. I have no docs on it whatsoever. The real thing I need to know is how to interface to it. It seems to be in adequate physical shape, except for the chad tube. It was made of plastic and has long since been broken off. http://rikers.org/gallery/hardware-tapepunch I'm very interested to hear of any known documentation for this beast. There's a picture there with the case off, perhaps the Flexowriter punch is similar inside? -------------- Can't help you on the interface; almost looks homebrew, considering it's built on perfboard. Has some previous owner perhaps already built an interface? Shouldn't be too hard to figure out though; looks like 8 lines to select the byte, and there should be another to "clock" it in, i.e., engage the clutch that drives the perforator. Looks like it could use a little cleaning & some lube. I have a unit that uses the same perforator mechanism; the motor runs constantly and there's a solenoid that trips a clutch to drive the punch shaft one revolution. There should be some cam switches inside that cast housing for timing, and 9 interposer solenoids inside the perforator that free or lock the perforator pins, and the selected ones are then driven through the tape. (These solenoids actually look like little relays without contacts). I doubt that you'd need any parts (these were pretty heavy duty units) but if you do, I've scrapped a few of these and still have some of the mechanical parts (no chad tubes though, alas). mike