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Type 077 Collator

Manufacturer IBM
Identification,ID Type 077 Collator
Date of first manufacture1937
Number produced -
Estimated price or cost $80/month (1955)
location in museum -
donor -

Contents of this page:

Placard
IBM Type 077 Collator,

Placard
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Architecture
from the U.S. Navy training manual "Digital Computer Basics" dated 1978, pages 185 - 187

Collators The collator ... is a card device which will merge two sets of cards without disturbing their original sequence, and, in addi- tion, will select cards to be kept out of the merged sequence. Two hoppers and feed units (fig. 8-21), along with four or five pockets for stacking cards are provided.

The two feed units in the collator are called the PRIMARY FEED and the SECONDARY FEED. Cards placed in the primary feed hopper are referred to as primary cards, and those placed in the secondary feed hopper are called secondary cards. Cards are placed in the hoppers face down, with the 9 edge toward the throat.

Most collating operations require that two numbers be compared. For example, when checking sequence, the number coded on one card must be compared with the number on the preceding card to see if the cards are in the proper order. Also, when merging, the number coded on a card in one feed unit must be compared with the number on a card in the other feed unit to see which cards is to be fed first.

When one card is compared with another, one of three possible conditions may exist with regard to the number coded on the card; it may be lower than, equal to, or higher than the number on the other card. Card feeding and selection can be controlled by control panel wiring (not shown) when either of these conditions occurs.

Note from the illustration (fig. 8-21) that the primary cards pass two sets of brushes, while the secondary cards pass only one set. The readings from the two sets of brushes in the primary feed unit can be compared with each other, or with the readings from the secondary brushes. Since the secondary feed unit contains only one set of brushes, readings from the secondary brushes can normally be used only for comparing with readings from the primary brushes.

Special features
from Orange Coast College
The Type 77 Electric Punched Card Collator performs many card filing and pulling operations. As a filing machine, the Collator feeds and compares simultaneously two groups of punched cards: records already in file, and records to be filed. These two groups are merged in correct numerical or alphabetical sequence. If desired, the machine will at the same time remove from either group, those cards which are matched by cards in the other group, or all but those cards which are matched, or other selected cards.

When operated for the purpose of pulling cards, the Collator makes it possible for one group of cards to pull corresponding cards from another group. The cards not pulled are segregated for return to the file, and the absence of any cards sought is indicated by segregation of the corresponding pulling cards. The cards pulled and those which pull them may be kept separate, or merged in sequence, as required.

Many operations, previously performed less efficiently, are made automatic by this machine. Following is a brief list of applications:

  • Filing current transaction cards with previous transaction cards.

  • Pulling accounts receivable debit cards and combining them with cash received credit cards.

  • Replacing old record cards with new record cards superseding them.

  • Selecting all cards dated earlier than a certain date, as for analysis of accounts in arrears, or all cards containing a given classification number, when cards are scattered throughout the file.

  • Combining master cards, such as name and address and rate cards with transaction cards and separating them again after their use in accounting machine operations.

Historical Notes
from Orange Coast College
The card punch operator may be one of your record clerks trained by IBM in the meantime. The machine operator may also be one of your clerks, if interested and qualified and supplemented by a part-time experienced IBM operator during the first semester. An experienced IBM operator would draw $300.00 to $375.00 per month and would do much to assure full benefit of all facets of mechanization at the outset.

OPERATIONAL COSTS IBM Equipment Rental ($/month)

Type 402 Electric Accounting Machine, 290.00
Type 519 End Printing Reproducer
with Mark Sensing Feature
90.00
Type 082 Electronic Card Sorter 60.00
Type 077 Electronic Card Collator 80.00
Type 552 Alphabetic Card Interpreter 75.00
Type 024 Card Punch 35.00
TOTAL 630.00

Less: 20% IBM Educational Contribution 126.00

TOTAL MONTHLY RENTAL EXPENSE $ 504.00

ANNUAL RENTAL EXPENSE ............................$ 6,048. 00

Orange Coast College is exempt from the Federal Manufacturers Excise Tax of 10% on this type of equipment.

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