Tape Punching Machine. The machine is equipped with a keyboard carrying numbered keys similar to those on the typewriter. A sheet of paper is placed in the carriage, and an eight channel tape in the tape punch. The prescribed hole pattern for a particular number or an alphabet is punched on the tape when the corresponding key is depressed ; simultaneously it is typed on the paper. The typed copy serves as a copy of the information punched. Punching of the holes is, thus, a straight forward task ; it requires a minimum of mental effort.
Each line of information on the ‘Program sheet for component’ constitutes a ‘sequence’ or ‘block’. Each block is terminated by the ‘end of block’ code. By pressing ‘return carriage key,’ the ‘end of block’ code is punched on the- tape and the carriage is returned to the right (as on the typewriter) for the next line of information.
The machine, fitted with both tape reader and tape punch, may be built to have the ability to make a copy tape from one fed into it ; it will have facilities for operating it by manual control of key board, by an electrical signal input or by means of tape. This version of the machine is called ‘Flexowriter’.
Tape Reader. The Tape Reader is a device that feeds the tape row by row, past a reading head. It is either available as integral with the Flexowriter or as a separate motorised reader. The reading head has a sprocket wheel and eight feelers arranged in a row corresponding to eight hole positions on the tape. The feelers close electric switches mounted below them whenever they pass through holes punched on the tape. If no hole is punched on the tape, the feeler is kept down by the tape to keep the switch open.
The medium speed tape reader employed to read the tape carries a single phase induction motor, which continuously runs and an electric clutch which, when energised, moves or indexes the tape one row of holes or one code forward past the reading head.