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Why Print an Electro-Mechanical Computer? Because You CAN.
You know, sometimes counting is difficult. 1,2,3… Uhg, Eleventy! Maybe you need a machine to help you along. A counting machine perhaps? An electro-mechanical machine!? How about a 3D printed electro-mechanical machine? One which runs on of the pure, unadulterated power of PUNCH CARDS? YES!
3D Printed Electro-Mechanical Computer
Chris Fenton, who describes himself as a Cunning Artificer on his blog, has been in the process of creating an amazing working replica of an old-school computing mechanism. This punch card reader is part of the device in his on-going electromechanical computer project.
Parts of his computer are being printed off by a Makerbot at NYC Resistor, a Brooklyn-based Hackerspace, that Chris is a part of. At the moment, it only has basic functionality – reading punch cards – but it’s a start – And man, would Charles Babbage be excited. (High five C.B.) But why would anyone want to make a 3D printable computer? When posed this question, Mr. Fenton answered ”Because I have a 3D Printer, and I can.” Stellar answer. But hey, do you suppose this sets the stage for an AI to print itself a copy? Hmm… famous last words?
Mr. Fenton is in the process of building this 1/10th scale model Cray-1 ‘Supercomputer’. Although, the 70′s era machine ran at a pokey 80 Mhz, it was a revolutionary piece of hardware. Asthetically speaking, the Cray-1 was quite beautiful – props to Fenton for faithfully recreating it. Best of all, this is a working model. Inside is a motherboard with the same architecture and processor speed.
Neat-O! But does it blend? I hope not. If you’re in the NYC area, Fenton will be showing off his 3D printed electro-mechanical computer at the 3rd Annual NYCR Interactive Show on May 19th under the Theme of Physical meets Digital. Tickets are here.
Read more about CAD, product design and related technology at
SolidSmack.com
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