Tektronix 4010/4014 terminal printer project

[Tony Duell]

> 
> OK, I've been studying the circuit diagrams and service manuals for
> the Tektronix 4014 printer interface:
> 
> <http://bitsavers.org/pdf/tektronix/401x/070-2303-00_4014_4015_Service_Mar79.pdf>
> <http://bitsavers.org/pdf/tektronix/463x/070-1831-02_4631_Service_Nov79.pdf>
> 
> I'm starting a project to create a modern printer interface for the
> terminal.  This involves creating the optional target signal amplifier
> board for the 4010/4014 and creating a microcontroller based board
> that will drive the terminal like a 4631 printer and scan out the
> image from the storage tube for digitizing as a digital image.  The
> amplifier board is what distinguishes a 4010/4014 from a 4010/4014-1
> and provides the signals for the printer.

I beelive a lot ot Tektronix storage tiube devices, not just terminals, 
ahd this interface. So your printer controller would hav wider applications.

> 
> The original 4631 printer is a completely analog device that scans out
> the storage tube and transfers the electrical signal to a dry silver
> paper for printing.  This design will treat the analog signal supplied

I thought it was partially photographic, which a 1-line CRT (a very odd 
looking tube) pointing at light sensitive paper. But it's been a long 
time since I was inside one.

> to the printer as a signal for digitizing into a raster image.  I plan
> on housing mine inside a 4632 video hardcopy shell with a modern printer

I was very happy with this project until I read that part. I am totlaly 
in favour iof making modern peripherals for old machines. But I really 
don;t like stripping classic hardware for no good reason.Sure the paper 
for the 631 is unobtainable now. But I still feel the design of said 
printer is interesting, and they should be preserved if possible.

> inside driven by the controller.  Who knows, this project might make
> those 4631/4632 printers useful again, considering that noone is going
> to be getting a new supply of dry silver paper anytime soon.

-tony