tekochip, I agree on the display repurposing but I'm interested in where one can obtain it. I check the build instructions but no such luck in where you can buy one.
I have a large number of the incandescent/projector type displays and would happily sell them cheaply. There are two catches. One is that they don't include the light bulbs. The other, perhaps bigger, catch is that the film with the legend is a customized display that does not included a full set of numbers, at least not on any that I have checked. I have several variations with various legends, but as I recall most are specific phrases. The film is easily removed and it might be possible to print a new legend film using clear (overhead projector) film in a laser printer without having to go through a photographic process.
The projector modules themselves are "new old stock" government surplus. I believe they were used on C130s. They are definitely an aircraft part. I would love to repurpose them. I've thought about doing something like this, but never came up with the time and ambition to actually do it.
Note that there's no reason the image can't be in color, if one had a way to print it. I suspect 35mm slide film would be the right size if one wanted to try doing it photographically. If anyone's interested in giving it a try, contact me at davids@SlateCreekEngineering.com.
I don't think an segmented display will look like a projector display because they are completely different schemes. The projector device is actually an array of miniature slide projectors, each with its own lamp, "film", and lens, but all projecting onto the back side of one screen. The "film" can be any image at all, which means that in the case of numbers, they can be formed complete in any font that one wants, rather than being approximated by means of segments. Of course one could use the appropriate images in a projector display to simulated a segmented display, but where's the fun in that?
Eons ago I had a device that used numeric projection displays. They were a PIA as the bulbs would burn out periodically, especially those lamps illuminating the most popular numbers such as zeros. :-) Good riddence.
I think the bulb life is a function of the bulb, and how bright (applied voltage) you run it. This clock has been running for a year with no issues so far. Last time I checked they were still availble for this display anyway, its a common indicator bulb. Some of the types have a 300,000 hour MTBF so I think I'm good with it for my clock.
I've been dragging these around in my junk bin for 30 years, since I was a student. When I was a student tech in a physics lab, we would scavenge old equipment for parts. These were deamed obsolete at the time, but too cool for the trash bin!
Unfortunately I didn't keep the big ones.
Search Ebay for "one plane readout", they are listed sometimes.
HA Chuck - you might be onto something there. Love the SkyMall! They are so quirky, it actually might be worth looking into (I'm talking to you, Gadget Freaks)!
NadineJ, Your right about Steam Punk aesthics, they're pretty cool looking items. Adding electronics really enhances the 18th century look of them. I agree, great job!
Long ago I worked with a counter or frequency generator with this type of display and it was called a "sphericular optic display" and a manufacturer was Burroughs. That term might help people search for them. (I also used a digital voltmeter with the type of display with the little flaps with numbers on them like many "digital" clocks of long ago. I think it was a Dana voltmeter. Of course, the wheels with the flaps had to spin around with every reading. Pretty entertaining.)
I remember these displays quite well. They were used on a specialized Xerox copier that I helped buld in the 60s called "System 3-2-1". They were made by IEE, Industrial Electronic Engineers of North Hollywood, CA. The company is still in business. See: http://www.ieeinc.com/about-us Also, there is a very nice descriptive page about the displays including a disassembled view at: http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=511
They were great. Much easier to deal with than Nixie Tubes. No special power supply needed.
I have a bunch of them, new old stock military surplus. $10 apiece if you just want a few for your own use and won't try to resell them for a profit. Will put them on ebay at some point for more money, but thought I'd give the guys here first crack at them. Films have various cryptic military-related legends on them so you'll need to make your own with numbers. Note that color is a definite option with these if you can make a color transparency or use colored LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs (not included, T1-3/4 size)
I also noticed the hand-crank telephone generator in the background. I had one of those too, and some of the projection readouts. Sometimes, you have to cull, though...
This is a really cool device and I too love the steam generator look. It triggered a couple thoughts. the time is fast approaching when I will have exhausted my stash of 100 watt incandescent bulbs and I will be forced to fork out the exhorbitant cost of inferior replacements. I am sorry I did not buy more, but I really thought the politicians would come to their senses. How dumb was that?
Then to see C-130 in print made my stomach do flip flops when I remembered the bumpy, jerky ride in those monsters. Guaranteed that at least one guy would heave and there were no barf bags to be had. But not all was bad since one of those things provided a part of my trip home.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
