The Practical Way to Automating Drafting

Heat. Heat. Mergenthaler Linotype Company is proud to present the diagrammer, a sleeves up approach to drafting automation. The diagrammer is the result of Mganthaler's intensive research into the problem of reducing the increasing cost of quality draftsmanship. Despite the revolutionary advances in science and industrial technology since World War II, the methods of producing, analyzing, and retrieving graphical data have remained virtually the same. Just as the Renaissance artist or inventor sketched his outline drawings and appropriate callouts with quill, parchment, and blotting powder, we still draw the picture manually and laboriously. This timeconuming technique results in the waste of many product dollars and valuable productive time. Since Atmar Mergenthaler's invention of the liner type machine in 1886, Mganthaler has been a leader in graphic arts equipment. The sleek modern electron line caster of today bears little resemblance to the original airblown machine. But it is the world leader in its field. Over 10 years ago, Mergenthaler developed the line of film system of photo composition, the setting of type photographically on film. Mergenthaler called upon this photo type setting experience in its investigation of the problem of the drafting bottleneck. Its aim was to reduce drafting room operating costs while increasing speed of drawing production and achieving a quality of output superior to manual drafting. The result is the diagrammer, an automated machine for the production of printed quality engineering drawings on photographic film. We call it shirt sleeves automation. In the production of a single drawing, the operator attaches a sheet of film behind the viewing screen of the operating unit. After receiving the rough sketch of the drawing to be produced, he attaches it to the front of the viewing screen to be used as a progress reference during the production cycle. He depresses one of the 256 symbol buttons on the selector panel. The symbol is optically projected onto the screen where it can be moved to its proper location and orientation. By depressing an expose button, the operator causes the line or symbol to be recorded on both sides of the special double emulsion film which was developed especially for Menthaler's diagrammer. After exposure, an immediate photoized image remains visible. In less than 1 second, the most difficult lettering, symbol structure, or complex graphic can be permanently and precisely recorded. After initial exposure, the symbol can be moved to other locations on the screen as indicated by the rough sketch and is similarly exposed. Film development is a simple process using commercially available chemicals and conventional techniques in artificial white light without harmful effect. Let's take a close look at the symbol array. An individual symbol button can be removed with a twist and replaced in an instant. Or the entire panel can be lifted out of place and another replaced in seconds. Similarly, the lightweight slide carousel within the operating unit can be replaced in its entirety or an individual slide may be lifted out and another replaced in an instant. Turning to the operating unit, we note several other unique features. A wide variety of lines are produced directly on the film by contact exposure. The operator simply selects the type of line desired, adjusts the length to any values from a point to 29 in. The line can be rotated about a point to any angle and exposed either continuously or in detents of 15°. And the line weights are controlled with equal simplicity on the operating unit console. All necessary line configurations used in drafting are provided. For example, solid lines, long dash lines, broken lines, center lines, and others. Here we see the controls for symbol movement. The operator can enlarge the symbol twice its size, control automatic lettering, move the symbol in any direction, or rotate it about its optical center, and control the weights, types, and lengths of lines. Any symbol or configuration of symbols that can fit within a 3-in diameter circle can be made into a diagrammer symbol slide. Standard symbol slides designed to meet pertinent mill specs are available from Merkinthaler. Non-standard slides can be provided at a modest additional cost. In this specially built grid room designed for the manufacturer of line of film grids, Mganthaler engineers develop the techniques for the manufacturer of diagrammer slides. Diagrammer symbol slide friskets are meticulously handdrawn by Mganthaler designers and are manufactured in this accurate photographic chamber. The operator can type words by the selection of their letters. Proportional letter spacing is automatic. We are able to position horizontally or vertically and write backwards with the same accurate spacing. Because of the inherent flexibility of the symbol buttons and slide carousel, the diagrammer can be programmed to produce drawings in any technical discipline. Here are some of the drawings that have been successfully produced on the diagrammer. Printed circuit masters, block and per network diagrams, various schematic diagrams, and other drawings such as piping, logic, flow or architectural diagrams. Note the clarity of the output. This is why the drawings are ideally suited to microfilming. The diagrammer excels in quality. The output is better than ink in appearance. The line weight and opacity are consistent. The drawing elements are designed to meet all pertinent mill specs and the output meets MIL M9868. When prepared for microfilm, the diagrammer excels in flexibility. Symbol choice is unlimited and symbol movement is unrestricted. Drawings in many technical disciplines can be produced. The diagrammer excels in speed. It has been found to be up to four times as fast as manual drafting. The diagrammer excels in economy. Operator training is minimal and the operator need not be technically trained. The diagrammer, the first step in automating drafting, is here today and producing quality drawings in industry. Give it a chance to solve the drafting bottleneck in your plant.