- IBM 1627
The IBM 1627 was a rebranded
Calcomp plotter sold byIBM for use with theIBM 1620 , and, later, theIBM 1130 computers. It became perhaps the first non-IBM peripheral that IBM allowed to be attached to one of its computers.The plotter fed a roll of paper with perforated edges over a drum with matching sprockets at the sides. The drum could move the paper forward and backward (the X-axis). A pen holder slid horizontally over the paper (the Y-axis). Both the drum and the pen holder were controlled by
stepper motor s. Commands included lowering the pen down to write and raising it up, and moving the drum or the pen holder one step of 1/100 inch (0.254 mm) in either direction. There were also commands to move the drum and pen together one step in the four diagonal directions.The standard size 1627 Model 1 was a Calcomp model 565 plotter and used 12-inch-wide paper (305 mm) with a plotting area of 11 inches (280 mm). Model 1 could operate at 18,000 steps per minute. Model 2 was a Calcomp 563 and used 31-inch-wide paper (787 mm) with a plotting area of 29-1/2 inches (750 mm). Model 2 could operate at 12,000 steps per minute.
The paper rolls were convert|120|ft|m|sing=on long. A metal bar above the take-up reel allowed a finished plot to be torn off and removed. The drum would them be advanced using the manual controls and the fresh paper end taped to the take-up reel. The standard pen was a ball-point, but liquid ink pens were available, and typically used for higher quality plots intended for publication.
References
* [http://www.ibm1130.net/functional/Plotter.html IBM 1627 documentation]
External links
* [http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev/ibm1130/album/rt_calcomp.html Photo of Calcomp 565 plotter at Stuttgart Computer Museum]
* [http://www.pdp8.net/563/pics/563_front.shtml?large Photo of Calcomp 563 at pdp8.net]
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