HP Moseley Autograf 2D 2AM analog XY pen plotter teardown (1970)

[oz2cpu]

it was so much fun yesterday i got this one..
it is from 1970:

https://youtu.be/HY3NB__jTU4

the video show all details about the way it works, super cool linear potmeters for position feedback
and also see the wires and wheel

[Conrad Hoffman]

I still have one very similar to that. Really cool devices, including the high voltage paper attraction method. Also have a few linear chart recorders. Took my small pen plotter to the dump some years ago because I couldn't come up with a reasonable use for it, though I did draw and etch circuit boards with it at one time. I've also got a General Radio chart recorder that's fast enough to record audio room delays. The drive mechanism for the pen is a long travel voice coil with linear pot feedback. Built like a brick you-know-what! Pretty much useless these days. All these mechanical devices were clever and no small amount of design effort went into them. Alas, a modern PC and printer can do everything as well or better. I do think modern engineers could learn a lot by studying this old stuff, in fact it ought to be required!

[oz2cpu]

Thanks Conrad.
That point is EACTLY why i keep making all the videos of fun old and new stuff containing cool inventions or solutions :-)
feel free to spread the word on my youtube and specially the teardown playlist,
at the moment i release a new video every day.

[oz2cpu]

see how much happened in 20 years !
the first one , the Mosley was from 1970..
and this "new" one, is from 1990

https://youtu.be/YT-qD2ezhBI