rarest computers. was: RE: Xerox Alto Restoration + Emulation

[Ken Kirkby (ACMS)]

Hi Pat,> 
> On Wednesday 31 December 1969 19:00, Ken Kirkby wrote:
> > > <Can't find the beginning of this thread, so I'm gonna shove my
> > > response here.>
> > >
> > > I've got a few "rare" machines, but they mostly seem to come out of
> > > some sort of "scientific instrumentation".  A vector-based computer
> > > that processed NMR data - an Aspect 3000, some machines made by
> > > Nicolet and others, etc.
> > >
> > > Some of my favorite "rarer" machines are my General Automation
> > > SPC-16/40 and /45 (which are neither complete nor functional right
> > > now ):  It was a machine targeted where the Data General Nova was
> > > targeted (a general purpose 16bit machine in the early 70s).
> >
> > Industrial Electronic Resources in Corona CA still supports the GA's
> > which are still used in power stations around the world, and in CNC
> > applications. We support a few customers still with SPC-16/440's.
> 
> I was wondering why I didn't come across them while trying to find info 
> using google... and now have discovered that they don't seem to have a 
> web site.  Do you think there's any possibility of getting a (set of) 
> schematic(s) from them, or at least some sort of service manual 
> (preferably not a board-swappers guide)?  That's the one thing I don't 
> have that would be useful to get them up and running.  Well, that and a 
> replacement frontpanel for the one that got thrown away, but I'm not 
> sure I want to spend what they'll want for it... assuming they even 
> have one.

Jon Apel of IER says they operate on the trailing edge of technology.
It took them years to get an email address, which I dont have with me
but will post tomorrow..

They have most things and replacements having taken over the manufacturing
rights from GA for the 16/xxx range in 1986 or so.

Ken Kirkby www.plc-peripherals.com - K. J. Kirkby and Associates P/L.
> 
> Pat
> -- 
> Purdue University ITAP/RCS        ---  http://www.itap.purdue.edu/rcs/
> The Computer Refuge               ---  http://computer-refuge.org
>