Terminology - Burroughs, Technical, and Industry Jargon
Like any industry or business, terminology (or jargon) can be very difficult for outsiders to understand. During my time at Burroughs and later Unisys, we constantly reminded ourselves to stay away from jargon, especially with information to be seen by customers. That is not to say that jargon has no place in internal communication. Jargon can speed up and improve communication between those who are familiar with the specific jargon.
I began to notice how difficult understanding can be while watching some great YouTube videos of people taking apart or servicing some Burroughs machines. Finding the correct name for a specific type of part or assembly often slowed the speaker to a crawl while he tried to find the words for a specific part. So with that for an inspiration, I have started to accumulate a list of jargon and terminology with some level of definition. I hope this helps someone at some point to better become an "insider" into the Burroughs world.
I began to notice how difficult understanding can be while watching some great YouTube videos of people taking apart or servicing some Burroughs machines. Finding the correct name for a specific type of part or assembly often slowed the speaker to a crawl while he tried to find the words for a specific part. So with that for an inspiration, I have started to accumulate a list of jargon and terminology with some level of definition. I hope this helps someone at some point to better become an "insider" into the Burroughs world.
Branch Office Terminology
Machine Card - This was a small form in the shape of a card that was filled out with information on every machine sold to a customer. Cards were kept in a file so as to be quickly accessible by office staff.
Panels - These were listings of customer machines that were organized by servicing territory within the branch office. Any changes to customer information or service agreements were noted in the panels. Panels were sent out to be photographed every 6 months or every year and each territory listing was provided to the appropriate Field Engineer to help him manage his territory.
PM's - Preventive Maintenance Attention (or Inspection). This service was done twice a year on every machine in a service territory that was covered by warranty or a service agreement. It was an inspection, cleaning, oiling, and adjusting as necessary.
Route Book - A listing of every machine in a specific service territory.
Field Engineering Tools
Bench Block - Either one of two sizes of steel blocks used to perform specific types of work on machine parts. The smaller bench block was carried by Field Engineers as they serviced machines in their territory. The larger of the two size bench blocks was used on a workbench in the Burroughs shop.
Spring Clip Holder - This was a long flat tool designed to hold a "spring clip" on one end so that the spring clip could be positioned and inserted into the appropriate slot in the machines assembly.
Spring Screw Driver - This was a screwdriver with a retractable end that when placed in the slot of a screw, would hold the screw until it was inserted into the proper location. Very handy tool, especially for inserting screws deep within the machine.
Machine Parts
Accumulator - The part of the machine were the addition was being recorded.
Carriage - This was the part of the machine that held the roll paper and ribbon. Carriages could be small enough to just hold small rolls of paper, or long enough to hold wide forms or rolls of paper. Long carriages could usually be moved from side to side like a typewriter carriage to position the printing at the correct place in the paper.
Dashpot - A shock absorber device, filled with oil, that controlled the speed of the secondary part of the machine. Used to prevent mis-operation and machine damage.
Motor Bar - The large "keytops", usually on the right side of the keyboard, that was used to operate or cycle the machine. Motor bars were only used on machines with electric motors.
Platen - The rubber roller that paper was wound around for printing.
Twirler - The round knob at the end of the platen used to manually turn the platen to feed or adjust the paper position for printing.
Documentation
Keystem - A keyboard part that held the keytop indicating a specific number or character. Keystems could be moved downward into the machine when the attached keytop was depressed.
Keytop - The visible number or character button that could be pressed to index or enter the character for accumulation and /or printing.
LIN - Logic Improvement Notice. A notice sent to the Burroughs branch offices describing a solution to a known problem in machine reliability or an update to avoid future problems. LINs applied to the electrical or electronic portions of equipment. LINs were to be installed by the Field Engineer as he serviced equipment in his territory.
RIN - Reliability Improvement Notice. A notice sent to the Burroughs branch offices describing a solution to a known problem in machine reliability or an update to avoid future problems. RINs were to be installed by the Field Engineer as he serviced equipment in his territory.
Machine Card - This was a small form in the shape of a card that was filled out with information on every machine sold to a customer. Cards were kept in a file so as to be quickly accessible by office staff.
Panels - These were listings of customer machines that were organized by servicing territory within the branch office. Any changes to customer information or service agreements were noted in the panels. Panels were sent out to be photographed every 6 months or every year and each territory listing was provided to the appropriate Field Engineer to help him manage his territory.
PM's - Preventive Maintenance Attention (or Inspection). This service was done twice a year on every machine in a service territory that was covered by warranty or a service agreement. It was an inspection, cleaning, oiling, and adjusting as necessary.
Route Book - A listing of every machine in a specific service territory.
Field Engineering Tools
Bench Block - Either one of two sizes of steel blocks used to perform specific types of work on machine parts. The smaller bench block was carried by Field Engineers as they serviced machines in their territory. The larger of the two size bench blocks was used on a workbench in the Burroughs shop.
Spring Clip Holder - This was a long flat tool designed to hold a "spring clip" on one end so that the spring clip could be positioned and inserted into the appropriate slot in the machines assembly.
Spring Screw Driver - This was a screwdriver with a retractable end that when placed in the slot of a screw, would hold the screw until it was inserted into the proper location. Very handy tool, especially for inserting screws deep within the machine.
Machine Parts
Accumulator - The part of the machine were the addition was being recorded.
Carriage - This was the part of the machine that held the roll paper and ribbon. Carriages could be small enough to just hold small rolls of paper, or long enough to hold wide forms or rolls of paper. Long carriages could usually be moved from side to side like a typewriter carriage to position the printing at the correct place in the paper.
Dashpot - A shock absorber device, filled with oil, that controlled the speed of the secondary part of the machine. Used to prevent mis-operation and machine damage.
Motor Bar - The large "keytops", usually on the right side of the keyboard, that was used to operate or cycle the machine. Motor bars were only used on machines with electric motors.
Platen - The rubber roller that paper was wound around for printing.
Twirler - The round knob at the end of the platen used to manually turn the platen to feed or adjust the paper position for printing.
Documentation
Keystem - A keyboard part that held the keytop indicating a specific number or character. Keystems could be moved downward into the machine when the attached keytop was depressed.
Keytop - The visible number or character button that could be pressed to index or enter the character for accumulation and /or printing.
LIN - Logic Improvement Notice. A notice sent to the Burroughs branch offices describing a solution to a known problem in machine reliability or an update to avoid future problems. LINs applied to the electrical or electronic portions of equipment. LINs were to be installed by the Field Engineer as he serviced equipment in his territory.
RIN - Reliability Improvement Notice. A notice sent to the Burroughs branch offices describing a solution to a known problem in machine reliability or an update to avoid future problems. RINs were to be installed by the Field Engineer as he serviced equipment in his territory.