"Tyrotek" analog computer

[Brent Hilpert]

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.

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.


> > 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 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.


>  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.