Fanuc System P Model D

UvA Computer Museum catalogue nr 11.06

Photo reproduced from Fanuc brochure PD-03, 1980

System P Model D by Fujitsu Fanuc Ltd (Japan 1980) was the world's first desktop system for the preparation of punched tapes for the numerical control of machine tools (like drills, cutters, lathes, milling machines). Previously, NC programmers had to rely on expensive and unreliable timesharing services.
The Fanuc P/D has a cassette tape reader for accomodating the system for various tools. It supports both 2D and 3D work. The prepared tool paths can be visualized on the system's built-in graphical display and on a separate XY-plotter (not shown in the picture). The data entered by the operator can be printed on a small thermal printer on top of the system unit. There are no provisions (like a serial or parallel port) for connecting the system to other data processing equipment.

Our Fanuc system includes the main unit and the papertape punch, both in working order (the accompanying Watanabe XY-plotter was irreparably broken, however). There is a full set of handbooks and related documentation. In 1982, the complete system has cost about 50.000 Dutch guilders.
The Fanuc system was donated by its first owner and user, Mr. A. van 't Zet (Woerden, the Netherlands).

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