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Design and development of an interface board between a minicomputer and a CDC printer with a memory buffer and a programmable vertical format throw
Author(s)
Orman, P.T.F.
Date Issued
1988
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Technikon
Abstract
Brown Davis and McCorquodale is one of the major suppliers of cheques
to the banking industry. To produce these cheques they use a number
of different print systems, one of which comprises of a minicomputer,
an industry standard tape deck and two printers, a Diablo daisywheel
and a Control Data Corporation (CDC) printer which was extensively modified to cater for the requirements of the cheque printing
industry.
The CDC printer is used to print the code line on the cheques using magnetic ink. After each line is printed the computer sends a form
feed command which causes the printer to throw paper. This throw is
controlled by a paper tape, known as a Vertical Format Unit tape, or
rather a VFU tape. This tape has holes punched into it at specific
places which determine the amount of paper throw also known as
vertical feed. The holes are sensed by brushes which are pulled up
to 5 volt when they pass over a hole and touch a roller connected to
the 5 volt line.
This system, being of an electro-mechanical nature, is prone to
faults and causes much down time due to mechanical wear on the
brushes and dirt on the roller. This means that the brushes have to
be adjusted and therefore also means that the timing has to be
readjusted each time. The timing relationships are discussed in
Section 2.B
to the banking industry. To produce these cheques they use a number
of different print systems, one of which comprises of a minicomputer,
an industry standard tape deck and two printers, a Diablo daisywheel
and a Control Data Corporation (CDC) printer which was extensively modified to cater for the requirements of the cheque printing
industry.
The CDC printer is used to print the code line on the cheques using magnetic ink. After each line is printed the computer sends a form
feed command which causes the printer to throw paper. This throw is
controlled by a paper tape, known as a Vertical Format Unit tape, or
rather a VFU tape. This tape has holes punched into it at specific
places which determine the amount of paper throw also known as
vertical feed. The holes are sensed by brushes which are pulled up
to 5 volt when they pass over a hole and touch a roller connected to
the 5 volt line.
This system, being of an electro-mechanical nature, is prone to
faults and causes much down time due to mechanical wear on the
brushes and dirt on the roller. This means that the brushes have to
be adjusted and therefore also means that the timing has to be
readjusted each time. The timing relationships are discussed in
Section 2.B
Additional information
Thesis (Masters Diploma (Technology)-- Cape Technikon, Cape Town,1988
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Design and development of an interface board between a minicomputer.pdf
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