Vintage Computing – Paper Tape Reader

Accessories

Several builders have designed handy accessories for the paper tape reader. Using mostly 3D-printed parts, they make tape handling more convenient. This page shows photos and provides the CAD files for download. Many thanks to Lars, Nicolas, Walt and Tony for sharing their designs and photos!

External tape guides

Lars Wind has designed two external paper tape guides which let you switch quickly between 5-bit Baudot and the wider 7 or 8 bit tape. Mount the internal spacers (tape guides) inside the reader at the position for the wider tape: 1", or even further apart with some tolerance if you prefer. Set the reader into the appropriate tape guide frame and insert the tape – presto!

Wide frame for 7/8 bit tape – STL file and 3MF file for 3D printing.
Narrow frame for 5 bit tape – STL file and 3MF file for 3D printing.

Two paper tape guides with readers installed — Two frames to guide 5-bit and 7 or 8-bit paper tape. Photo courtesy of Tony Rogvall.

Manual tape winder

A manual tape winder and reel make it easier to rewind and store long tapes after reading them. Lars Wind has modelled this one after a Zuse crank winder. With a 1:3 transmission ratio, the crank moves the tape quite efficiently!

Here’s a .zip archive with all STL files and additional photos. Assembly should be straightforward with a few hints:

Add a ball bearing, size 608, to support the fast gear’s axle. This bearing size is often found in skateboards: outer diameter 22 mm, inner diameter 8 mm, thickness 7 mm.
The crank arm disk is a separate part for easier 3D printing. Simply attach it to the slow gear with superglue.
Mount the crank with an M5 screw, 40 mm long, with counter nut.
Remove larger burs and support structures carefully. Then assemble and try a dry run. The gears should wear in and debur themselves during the first rotations.
The reel is comprised of two identical halves which snap together. A version for 5-bit tape is included in the zip archive.
The winder can be operated hand-held, but – like the Zuse original – is meant to be attached to a solid base plate.

3D-printed tape winder next to original Zuse winder

Tape winder explosion drawing — Here's how the printed parts for the tape winder come together

Hand-cranked tape transport

Nicolas Mailloux designed and made this manual tape transport solution. A great way to keep the tape organized while you read it, and transport it gently via manual cranks.

Nicolas' design files are hosted on TinkerCAD (which requires a free account registration).

Tape reader with two hand-cranked reels — Two identical reels and supports keep the tape organized. Transport and re-wind the tape via manual cranks.

Motorized tape transport

Walt Perko has taken things a step further and has built a motorized reader. It uses two continuous-rotation servos (Feetech FS90R Micro) to drive the reels.

Walt’s design files, as well as more pictures, are hosted on PinShape. (Free registration required to download the STL files.)

Tape reader with two motorized spools — Motorized tape transport. Both reels are driven by continuous-rotation servos.