Introduction to the 5000-Series Oscilloscopes: Difference between revisions
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preamplifier that originally sold for $25 in 1971! Ten years later, the price had | preamplifier that originally sold for $25 in 1971! Ten years later, the price had | ||
risen to $160. | risen to $160. | ||
== History of the 5000 and subsequent series of instruments by [[Ahne Oosterhof]] == | |||
It was late 1969 when the low frequency scope group was about finished with the [[5030]] scopes (1969), | |||
when [[Val Garutz]] and I prepared the product proposal for what first became to be called the LF-Scopes, | |||
then the [[D10]]/[[5103N]] and finally the 5000-series. | |||
The proposal went two or three times to the Engineering Council before it was accepted (Jan 1970). | |||
The group was formed under leadership of [[Jerry Shannon]]. | |||
I had built a cardboard model of what we envisioned, half the scope for the CRT, etc. | |||
and the other half for three plugins and power-supply, all within 5.25 inch height, | |||
a standard height increment for 19” racks, and the mainframe with three plugins for less than $1000. | |||
Above the plugins a strip of space was envisioned for plugin on/off switching, etc. | |||
I remember [[Larry Weis]] walking by my bench suggesting that we should make the plug-ins maximum height | |||
and build that switching functionality into the individual plugins. Seemed like a good idea. | |||
One year later (Jan 1971) with about 12 people on the project (EE, ME, manual, ecb) | |||
we had two scopes and three plug-ins in production using several new manufacturing methods | |||
and many new low-cost components. Almost by default I was working | |||
as the lead person on the mainframes and [[Gary Vance]] performed that function for the plug-ins. | |||
Throughout that project some big hurdles had to be overcome, e.g., using tin plated | |||
rather than gold plated circuit boards, soldering active components in the board | |||
rather than using sockets, using low cost open potentiometers rather than fully closed ones. | |||
I had asked the mechanical designers under [[Bud Deibele]] to make the frame weak enough | |||
that it would fail any shake, shock and transportation test. | |||
Then make it a little stronger to barely pass those tests. | |||
The pieces of the half frames were riveted together rather than bolted | |||
and to ship an empty frame required a cardboard insert to prevent distortion of the frame in shipment. | |||
All in the name of lowering costs. | |||
In the assembly area kits for 10 plug-ins were issued to individual assemblers and after finishing these, | |||
the assemblers tested those themselves which led to fewer assembly errors: | |||
smoke or smells signal loudly that you have made a mistake! | |||
Even though it took some effort to convince the manufacturing manager, | |||
[[Al Peecher]], that it would work and he made it a go. | |||
During the design phases Jerry suggested that we make many presentations | |||
throughout the company to Area Representative groups. | |||
That paid off big, because as people learned about our project and our challenges | |||
they were more than willing to provide us with any help we needed. | |||
As we reached the finish of the initial project we looked for product ideas for the future | |||
and that kind of planning always was done as a group effort. | |||
It led to dual beam scopes, additional storage scopes and various plug-ins, | |||
etc. to extend the 5000 series. | |||
We also had noticed that some customers bought display sections only, | |||
to build those into their instrument systems. That became somewhat of a headache, | |||
so we designed a power supply for the displays and turned that idea into a new line of monitors, | |||
an extension of old the 600 series. That replaced the dormant [[601]] and [[602]] displays. | |||
Soon after that we split the group into two business units, scopes and displays. | |||
We also considered a ‘plug-in warmer’ (like in the 530/540 series) | |||
but that was not really needed as the plugins were completely transistorized | |||
and therefore immediately ready to be used. But it made us consider additional possibilities | |||
like making a multi-meter and other measurement tools and signal source plug-ins. | |||
Soon this turned into a lot more and became the TM500 series (1972?), | |||
using the same design and construction methods as the 5000 series and this line became another separate business unit. | |||
Each of these product lines were successful and stayed in the catalog for about 20 years. | |||
Throughout all this Jerry Shannon encouraged a free flow of ideas; | |||
nothing was out of bounds to be discussed and tried. | |||
As an example, [[Matt Zimmerman]] in his spare times put together a transistor test plugin, | |||
which became the [[5CT1N|5CT1]]. Throughout Jerry liked to take an opposing view of whatever anybody said. | |||
He was willing and able to take any position on any subject from design to politics | |||
and if you thought things were blue he would try to convince you they were red. | |||
I expect he did this to make sure we were strong in our positions and opinions. | |||
In doing so he taught us a lot about dealing with and managing people. | |||
He made it clear to us that we were as design engineers and project leaders | |||
standing in for the owners of the company, as we were making decisions, however small, | |||
that impacted the health of the Corporation. | |||
He also made it clear he expected us to make the right decision more than 80% of the time, | |||
but did not expect 100%, as it would take too long to get there. Risk was allowed. | |||
Yes, he guided us, but in a very unobtrusive way. He let us find our own way, | |||
but was ready to clear a path when needed. In my life I can think of only three people | |||
who I consider my mentors: Professor Oostdijk from my college years, | |||
teaching (forcing?) me to study, Professor [[Dwain Richins]] from the “Tek University”, | |||
teaching me a lot about communicating clearly and in a precise way in the English language and Jerry Shannon. | |||
He taught me a lot about managing people and taking care of unexpected situations. | |||
In my second career, standing alone as entrepreneur/owner/general manager | |||
of a company (A-Laser, Inc.) I have made a lot of use of their teachings. | |||
A description of most of the 5000 series products with a timeline can be found in this website: | |||
http://i9t.net/5000_scopes.html | |||
[[Category:5000 series mainframes]] | [[Category:5000 series mainframes]] | ||