How I automated a 1930s Typewriter

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This is the guy I'm turning jobless in a couple months: jamescookartwork
This is being quite the fun project already, subscribe to follow along and see the final result

[@debrainwasher]

Since a typewriter can not perform multi-tasking, you need only two magnets for the keys: One for the characters and one for the shfit-key. attach your strings from all keys to a coupling-bar in one line. mount a small stepper-motor with a timing-belt and coupling-bracket to the magnet-side of the bar. When the hook reaches the desired key, energize the magnet, that will pull the hooked string. Since stepper-motors are indexable, the SBC always knows, where the coupling bracket is.

[@esser50k]

Yeah the mechanical multiplexer would just have to do “selecting” and “triggering”. I didn’t fully get this approach though, got pictures?

[@debrainwasher]

@@esser50k Since KZbin does neither accept images in the comment section, nor links, I try it with ASCII (aka UTF-8) art: ┬

[@negaaa5080]

​@@debrainwasher damn bro.

[@James02876]

You could have the smaller solenoid actuate a lever to increase the lenth of the stroke by trading some force. This is often done inside car door lock mechanisms. You might also be able to change where the string attaches to a place that needs less travel.

[@AMPProf]

Actually in the 1800s a clockworks automaton typewriting machiner was created . Also used for teletypes

[@scotts918]

I wonder if there would be a way to automate the solenoid so it moves left/right, then you can have a piece of wire for each key, all lined up parallel to each other, and the solenoid can move left/right until it reaches the right key, hooks onto the wire, pulls, then releases before moving onto the next key.

[@patriot_pills]

Holy crap. The whiplash I got when I realized you had subscribers in the thousands instead 10s or 100s of thousands was immense. Excellent quality!

[@esser50k]

Tbh I think its in the hundreds and I have 2K bot subs :P

[@JeanReneRodrigue]

Looking forward to see next step soon!!

[@martamartins7216]

This idea is pretty dope! Can't wait to see the next video!!!

[@esser50k]

thats my girl

[@sportagus32]

Not kidding I've been working almost this exact project. I purchased an old Royal typewriter to make it automatic. Have gone through the same issues with solenoids, mosfets, servos, etc all while trying to keep the cost low. My goal is to make the typewriter write stories. Almost like an interface to AI models through the typewriter. I am at the same place here with the 12V 30mm action solenoid and its been a bit of a roadblock, don't want to purchase ~30 $16 solenoids for the project. I would be interested in discussing ideas / potential solutions to the key actuation system.

[@esser50k]

Thats so cool man! So I'm limiting the number of keys to around 10-12 because I'm only planning to do ASCII art. Some of the keys you can use a servo for, like the SHIFT and Backspace. I also though about having it as an AI interface. But with a mechanical typewriter it would be a bit too much of a hassle. I might do that in the future with an electronic typewriter

[@GWServices]

How about using the small motors to build tension in a spring that “fires” after a set number of revolutions?….I’m a watchmaker we’re all about springs. Great video as ever, looking forward to more.

[@esser50k]

That’s a beautiful solution actually! I’ve seen this approach being used in robots to collect samples in dangerous areas (they could make large jumps with this approach). The typewriter is all about springs too! It’s beautiful to watch and try to reverse engineer. Thanks for your comment, appreciate it!

[@kruppstahl1686]

Would using RC servos maybe work? They are strong and easy to position/drive

[@esser50k]

I have a few that are meant to be fast but they are still not snappy enough

[@MaskinJunior]

There is a thing similar to this. It is called a teletype.

[@jamesranderson3]

Are you using a single solenoid for each key? To bad you can't have a stop for key strings and like the head on bigger cnc machine and instead of changing tools, the solenoid changes which string it pulls

[@esser50k]

Yeah many people are talking about a mechanical multiplexer, I’m only gonna do ascii art with it so I only need around 10-12 solenoids

[@ruiribeiro3189]

Really cool mate. How are you gonna trigger all the different keys? Will you use one “solnenoise” for each piece? Or come up with some fancy string management, so you can choose what sting is gonna be pulled each time ? I am curious about this last one

[@esser50k]

Many people are suggesting some string voodoo haha, not sure yet. I’m only thinking of using 10 keys or so, so an array of solenoids is easiest and fastest

[@guilhermeribeirofigueiredo6221]

Muito legal, vou ficar no aguardo da automação completa :)

[@esser50k]

Valeu galera!

[@andre-esser-ocado]

Damn that's gonna be a the coolest project yet for sure!

[@daisywong-ke1kz]

It truly is! 🤩

[@filesys98]

you could probably get away with using smaller solenoids if you cool them with some PC fans

[@esser50k]

Nah I really need the longer stroke

[@psychorubygamer]

I've been looking for a typewriter like this one forever. where did you find it?

[@esser50k]

I got mine on ebay actually. Although I'm in the UK and there seem to be a lot of people that still got these. Where are you from?

[@geordie7269]

thrift stores or sometimes vintage book stores

[@lucianomaia9460]

That's an amazing idea and video editing, subscribed

[@esser50k]

Thanks for the sub man, part of the early gang!

[@bearmaine]

Check out autotypist, old technology using pneumatics - think little bellows and driven by a perforated roll for typing multiple form letters.

[@esser50k]

Trying to find it but can only find some text about it, you have a link?

[@kairu_b]

Nice work

[@Scar32]

the thing you should know about typewriter art vs normal ascii or text art is that with typewriters they can overlap characters and you can kinda place characters in arbitrary locations like you see in the intro

[@esser50k]

Yeah definitely aware of that. But that in theory just improves resolution. So I can get away with making it really big maybe. And yeah I can still overlap characters if I use the back key

[@jeffsmith9384]

@@esser50k its not just that, they partially roll the drum by hand so that they also overlap vertically

[@AnagheemAzzam]

Whaaa! It’s awesome 🙌 and i like that kkkkkk 😄 kkkkkkkeep it up 🙌

[@esser50k]

Thank youuu ^^ final build will look crazy

[@JeanReneRodrigue]

It must draw a lot of amps!?

[@esser50k]

Yeah those solenoids are crazy taking about 8Amps. I was using a 5A power supply before and the solenoids simply wouldn’t pull fast enough

[@WillhemKraus]

Maybe a spring thingy, and you use a single motor to pressure all of them at once, and release them based on what letters u want to press. (im thinking like a car engine piston "locking" all the springs than resting, waiting for one that is not "locked" to be requested and than pressuring all again.

[@esser50k]

Yeah I’ve definitely been considering a mechanical multiplexer.. but all mechanisms seem so fiddly

[@LordMarcus]

This has the happiest ending of all your videos, I'd wager.

[@esser50k]

Hope it left a good feeling :)

[@geova1317]

LEGEND!!🔥 (👋🏾giovanni from gosh)

[@esser50k]

Cheers bro, was nice meeting you

[@easyBob100]

You should be able to use those solenoids with a higher voltage as long as you chop the current....just like a stepper motor driver does.

[@esser50k]

You mean for the smaller ones?

[@easyBob100]

@@esser50k Yeah, might be able to get some more force out of them without burning them out.

[@butcher2033]

TTY!

[@esser50k]

That would be sick

[@12...]

you should probably get a teletype printer or something instead of a manual typewriter. or use an electric typewriter, so you don't need as much force to press the keys

[@esser50k]

Wouldn’t that only be half as fun?

[@esser50k]

What would you guys like to see it type?

[@gabrieldai88]

ascii art for sure

[@esser50k]

@@gabrieldai88 what would you draw? ^^

[@pedrocondeco2839]

Connect it to chatgpt and connect the input of the typewriter back to the laptop via OCR. Full circle

[@esser50k]

@@pedrocondeco2839 I was wondering how I could get the key inputs.. OCR is a pretty creative solution actually, thanks ;)

[@gabrieldai88]

@@esser50k i made an algorithm for ascii art and other manipulations using js. I like to test it with mona lisa

[@iblesbosuok]

Perhaps, pneumatic is a good alternative.

[@esser50k]

True! Although I’d have to carry around an air compressor which is less sexy :P

[@doutorpacheco]

🇧🇷 Brazilian "kkk" laugher here...! 🤣

[@esser50k]

Valeu Cara!

[@TheIronHeadRat]

Ggggggreat 👍

[@ooca5iep]

I was hoping for more than a solenoid attached with a string to a single key of a typewriter.

[@esser50k]

It’s getting there, pinky promise

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

Should have put "Part 1" in the title or something like that, otherwise is clickbait/cliffhanger.

[@esser50k]

Thought about it. If I did that I think many people wouldn’t click it. If they click and enjoy and wanna see the follow up they can subscribe. I’ll probably change the title once part 2 is up

[@fingerstyledojo]

Lmao

[@tomato4906]

someone send this to drake

[@pies765]

Cool project, misleading title. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth

[@esser50k]

I’m sorry man.. I think most people wouldn’t click it if it said “part1” and this project is taking me too long to make a single video

[@joncoop2873]

Gargle some mouth wash homie