20-11-2012, 11:19 AM
Folks,
I'm sure I did not imagine this but many years ago when I started work with MOD, we some transistorised timer/counters with an unusual readout display. I *think* they was manufactured by 'Venner Controls', but I may be wrong.
The timer/counters were constructed from plastic plug-in modules (definitely 'Venner') with germanium transistors throughout. There were a decade counter modules, oscillators, a gate, and a display driver. Sort of very early logic circuitry encapsulated in a grey plastic case. The cases of each module were glued together making repair impossible without a hacksaw.
Each actual display module was constructed from sheets of perspex sheet for each digit (0-9, and .), each one behind the previous sheet. There was a pattern of holes in the shape of each character drilled through the sheet of perspex and the arrangement resembled a deck of playing cards. The characters were illuminated by a pair of miniature filament lamps fitted into drilled recesses of each side of the case to illuminate the appropriate perspex sheet. The character was displayed as a series of white dots (where the holes were drilled). Although the '9' was a long way behind the '0', this was not very noticeable when using the equipment.
I recall the display was unreliable due to bulb failure and poor contacts and it ran hot. The frequency response was poor. My boss dumped them into the MOD scrap skip when we had a budget for replacements. You weren't allowed to take anything home in those days and with body random searches at the exit gate, it wasn't work the risk of saving one.
Please tell me I didn't imagine this... I've never seen one since.
Dennis.
I'm sure I did not imagine this but many years ago when I started work with MOD, we some transistorised timer/counters with an unusual readout display. I *think* they was manufactured by 'Venner Controls', but I may be wrong.
The timer/counters were constructed from plastic plug-in modules (definitely 'Venner') with germanium transistors throughout. There were a decade counter modules, oscillators, a gate, and a display driver. Sort of very early logic circuitry encapsulated in a grey plastic case. The cases of each module were glued together making repair impossible without a hacksaw.
Each actual display module was constructed from sheets of perspex sheet for each digit (0-9, and .), each one behind the previous sheet. There was a pattern of holes in the shape of each character drilled through the sheet of perspex and the arrangement resembled a deck of playing cards. The characters were illuminated by a pair of miniature filament lamps fitted into drilled recesses of each side of the case to illuminate the appropriate perspex sheet. The character was displayed as a series of white dots (where the holes were drilled). Although the '9' was a long way behind the '0', this was not very noticeable when using the equipment.
I recall the display was unreliable due to bulb failure and poor contacts and it ran hot. The frequency response was poor. My boss dumped them into the MOD scrap skip when we had a budget for replacements. You weren't allowed to take anything home in those days and with body random searches at the exit gate, it wasn't work the risk of saving one.
Please tell me I didn't imagine this... I've never seen one since.
Dennis.
