Calcomp plotter: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Computer graphics output device}}

The [[Calcomp]] 565 drum plotter, introduced in [[1959]] was one of the first [[computer graphics]] output devices sold. The [[computer]] could control (in small increments) the rotation of a 11 inch (280 mm) wide drum and the horizontal movement of a pen holder over the drum. A [[solenoid]] could press the pen against paper taped to the drum. This arrangement allowed line drawings to be made under computer control. A version with a wider drumwas also available.

[[File:Calcomp 565 drum plotter.jpg|thumb|A Calcomp 565 drum plotter]]

[[File:IBM 1627 plotter detail.mw.jpg|thumb|upright|Closeup of Calcomp plotter right side, showing controls for manually moving the drum. Similar controls on the left move the pen carriage.]]

'''Calcomp plotters''' (sometimes referred to as '''CalComp plotters''') were the best known products of the California Computer Products company ('''[[Calcomp]]''' or '''CalComp''').<ref name=CalcompLC.NYT1970>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/08/30/archives/art-less-art-more-computer-please.html |quote=The machine in question, a Calcomp 702 plotter |title=Art |author=John Canaday |date=August 30, 1970}}</ref><ref name=CalCompUC.NYT75>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/24/archives/computer-rates-raiders-tepid-choice.html |title=Computer Rates Raiders Tepid Choice |quote=into the CalComp computer |date=December 24, 1975}}</ref>

==Overview==

[[IBM]] sold the Calcomp 565 as the '''IBM 1627''' for use with the [[IBM 1620]], and, later, the [[IBM 1130]] computers. It became perhaps the first non-IBM peripheral that IBM allowed to be attached to one of its computers.

The [[Calcomp]] 565 drum [[plotter]],<ref>{{cite web |website=BitSavers |url=http://bitsavers.org/magazines/Computers_And_Automation/196208.pdf |title=computers and automation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=BitSavers |url=http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/magazines/Computers_And_Automation/196808.pdf |title=August 1968 |quote=Programmed in Fortran, and plotted off line on a CalComp 565 digital plotter}}</ref> introduced in 1959, was one of the first [[computer graphics]] output devices sold. The computer could control in {{convert|0.01|in}} increments the rotation of an {{convert|11|in|adj=on}} wide drum, and the horizontal movement of a pen holder over the drum. The pen was pressed by a spring against paper scrolling across the drum. A [[solenoid]] could lift the pen off the paper. This arrangement allowed line drawings to be made under computer control. Later, Calcomp manufactured its model 563, which was very similar but had a {{convert|30|in|adj=on}} wide drum.

The paper rolls were {{convert|120|ft|m}} long. A metal bar above the take-up reel allowed a finished plot to be torn off and removed. The drum would then be advanced using the manual controls and the fresh paper end taped to the take-up reel. The standard pen was a [[ball-point pen|ball-point]], but liquid ink pens were available, and typically were used for higher quality plots intended for publication. Other paper stock could be taped to the drum if desired. A chart drive switch was provided to turn off the motorized paper supply and take-up reels for this purpose.

The 565 was the first in a long line of Calcomp plotters, digitizers and scanners, some of which are still sold today ([[2004]]).

==See Also:=IBM===

[[IBM]] marketed the Calcomp 565 as its [[IBM 1627]]<ref>{{cite web |website=BitSavers |url=http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/ibm/common/Proceedings_of_the_Meeting_of_the_Western_Region_of_COMMON_196512.pdf |title=The International Hotel Los Angeles, California. December 6 |quote=our CalComp 565 graph plotter (alias IBM 1627)}}</ref> for use with its low-end scientific computers, first the [[IBM 1620]], and, later, the [[IBM 1130]]. It was perhaps the first non-IBM peripheral that IBM allowed to be attached to one of its computers.

A Calcomp plotter attached to an [[IBM 1401]] was used to develop [[Bresenham's line algorithm]] in 1962.<ref name = DADS>Paul E. Black. ''Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures,'' [[National Institute of Standards and Technology|NIST]]. https://xlinux.nist.gov/dads/HTML/bresenham.html</ref>

[[Bresenham's line algorithm]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://bitsavers.org/pdf/calcomp/Programming_CalComp_Electromechanical_Plotters_Oct80.pdf Programming Calcomp Electromechanical Plotters]

*[http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev/ibm1130/album/rt_calcomp.html Photo of Calcomp 565 plotter at Stuttgart Computer Museum]

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040817032105/http://accad.osu.edu/~waynec/history/images/pages/calcomp565_jpg.htm Picture of a Calcomp 565]

*[http://www.pdp8online.com/563/563.shtml Calcomp 563 Incremental Plotter Information]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSEvVxdJNIw A working Calcomp 565 on Youtube.com]

*[http://tomislavmikulic.com/proj-565.html Animated diagram of Calcomp 565/563 pen assembly]

[[Category:Pen plotters]]

[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1959]]