NC operated machine from the 1960’s

[Carpenter84]

Stumbled across this. Pretty neat.

https://youtu.be/TnsKj1Hwf7o?si=aXZPYTnmONVsq6SB

[34_40]

That is neat.  Nit Picking but I was amazed that the swarf just stayed there.  I only saw 1 swipe at clearing it away.  I guess it didn't / doesn't matter really, but it really bugs me! LOL.. 

[4GSR]

That was my first NC machine experience with a GE 550 NC control on a special mill I worked on back in 1979.  i even learned to use the Frieden tape writer/punched as shown in the video.  You typed out the program, early g-code as we know today.  Proofread it, if all good then you punched the paper tape. Once the program was "proofed" on the machine, you went back and punched a mylar tape for the final tape to run on the machine.

[Carpenter84]

My 1981 machine has a tape drive. Even has old paper tape still in it. I'm not sure how this system works, or if it's even still works. I know th drive rollers turn when the machine is on, but I was confused how it doesn't have any spools or anything. I suppose the programs were fairly short? Or just bunched up?
Altho, the section of tape that was in there was about 6 feet long.

[4GSR]

I recall the reels were on some machines and not on others.  The few tapes I used were about 4 to 5 foot long.

[Carpenter84]

I think it would be really neat to try and run the tape I have. The section of tape I have appears to be the start of the program. Altho, without any set up data, that could be quite dangerous.

[4GSR]

You can "read" a tape. Have to find an old programming book that would have the G-codes for reading the holes punched out per line.  You might hang on to that tape.  Most all of the old NC and some CNC machines with tape readers, have a master tape that is read into the controllers in order to be able to start and run the machine.  It's like DOS for a desktop computer. You have to have it for Windows to operate, or any other program to operate on a computer.