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MMD > Archives > October 2019 > 2019.10.22 > 03Prev  Next


Unknown Piano Roll Perforator
By Gary Goldsmith

I recently got this roll perforating machine at a local auction.
It was previously owned by the Dickenson piano company in Anoka,
Minnesota.  I can figure out some things about it, but I'd like any
information anyone else might have.  Obviously, it's a perforator,
but I'm not sure how much of it was an original unit and how much
is home-made.  It looks like there are a lot of modifications.

I think it punches style A and G rolls since the perforator
mechanism punches 65 holes at 6 holes per inch spacing.  Also, some
of the switches indicate use for A and G rolls.  It looks like it
was designed to make 3 or 4 rolls at once.

It also has a section on the right that is apparently to "read" a
roll or a master roll.  Interestingly, the tracker bar on the right
has two sets of holes, one containing 88 holes at 9 holes per inch and
one containing 65 holes at 6 holes per inch.  So apparently it could
read regular 88-note rolls and A or G rolls.  Both sets of holes from
the tracker bar have tubing to the other parts of the machine.

It looks to be a combination of pneumatic and electric and mechanical
operation.  It appears that the tracker bar goes to some sort of
electro-pneumatic switch, which goes through some other sort of
switch and eventually to the punch pneumatics.

One photo shows an additional bank of pneumatics, that may or may
not be related to this machine.  Does anyone recognize this item?
Obviously, from the keyboard, it could also manually punch rolls.

So has anyone seen this machine or one like it.  What can you tell me
about it's maker and operation?  Is there any documentation around?
Has anyone ever worked on one?  Does the extra pneumatic bank in the
photos relate to this machine?

More photos are available upon request.  Much thanks for any input.

Gary Goldsmith

 [   Mystery perforator
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/22/191022_232756_perforator_1.jpg
Attachment thumbnail [ Perforator keyboard [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/22/191022_232756_perforator_2.jpg
Attachment thumbnail [ Some of the side electronics [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/22/191022_232756_perforator_10.jpg
Attachment thumbnail [ Additional pneumatic bank [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/10/22/191022_232756_perforator_12.jpg
Attachment thumbnail

(Message sent Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:27:56 -0700 (PDT) , from time zone -0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Perforator, Piano, Roll, Unknown

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