IBM's manufacturing and use of the system

IBM not only manufactured the System/7 for customers but also used the computer in various applications throughout the company. The following are excerpts from an article describing some of those operations that was published in the October 25, 1972, General Systems Division (GSD) edition of IBM News.

A laser dicer at Manassas [Va.], a plastic press at Rochester [Minn.], an access system at Boca Raton [Fla.] and an environmental monitoring system at East Fishkill [N.Y.] have one thing in common -- an IBM System/7.

Each of these operations, and several others within IBM, are controlled by a System/7 as part of an expanding program to develop and demonstrate varied uses for the sensor-based computer which was developed and is manufactured at GSD Boca Raton.

Several applications -- including the laser operation at Manassas, card rework at GSD Boca Raton and plastic injection molding at OPD [Office Products Division] Lexington [Ky.] -- were developed under GSD’s Manufacturing Application Research Systems (MARS) program.

The MARS program encourages application development by providing System/7s rent-free for six months to selected sites across IBM’s manufacturing and development divisions.

• Manassas. The System/7 at Manassas controls a laser beam as it dices wafers into miniature circuit-bearing chips. Prior to the dicing operation, separate test gear is used to test each circuit on the wafer. This information is sent to an IBM 1130 computing system, which generates dicing instructions for the wafer and stores them on a disk.
  
  When ready to dice a particular wafer, the System/7 calls up the dicing instructions and starts the laser into operation. The System/7 controls vertical and horizontal movement of the wafer as it passes under the laser beam and turns the laser on and off.
  
  
• Rochester. The plastic press operation at Rochester is a prime demonstration for IBM customers, who are brought to the plant to learn more about process control and System/7’s capabilities.
  
  A single System/7 monitors and controls the cavity pressure on three presses turning out plastic computer equipment parts. Jerry Malagrino, department manager, said that same computer will soon control the temperature of the molten plastic and the fill rate of the molds on the three presses.
  
  
• Boca Raton. [The System/7 is used in] access control, testing of other System/7 processor modules and card rework.
  
  The access system at Boca was the first use of the Controlled Access System [CAS] announced by IBM last March [1971]. Wallet-sized cards coded with information on magnetic stripes serve as “keys” to the computer. As an employee inserts his card in a door-mounted reader, the reader relays the card code to the computer. The System/7 verifies the information and sends a signal which releases the door lock.
  
  In testing other processors, the System/7 serves as a satellite computer to a System/360. Using information stored in the control computer, the System/7 checks the memory operation, control functions, data flow and instruction set. One System/7 tests four processor modules.
  
  In the card rework area, a System/7 controls wire wrap operations on logic boards. The same computer monitors a similar operation in the modification and alteration of circuit cards.
  
  
• East Fishkill. Utilizing a network of over 200 sensors, a System/7 monitors chilled and condensed water in the air conditioning system and the location’s electricity usage.
  
  The System/7 is also linked to a rooftop weather station, monitoring the weather every minute. Data is fed to an 1130, which generates projected air conditioning or heating requirements for the remainder of the day.
  
  
• Kingston [N.Y.]. A System/7 is used to control wire add and delete operations on MST-1 cards for the 2880 channel, MST-2 cards for the System/370 Model 135 and VTL’s used in the 3270 information display system. The operation was patterned after the card rework system at Boca Raton.
  
  
• Lexington. A System/7 application is being developed for the control of multiple plastic injection machines that produce the type element for IBM Selectric typewriters.
  
  The Office Products Division site is also installing a Controlled Access System in its development lab and chemical products lab.
  
  
• DPD [Data Processing Division] Western Region Headquarters [Los Angeles]. A System/7 Controlled Access System has been installed, initially providing expanded security in the medical department, telephone switchboard room, data center operations room and DP operations department.
  
  
• DPD Headquarters [White Plains, N.Y.]. Twelve exterior entrances and 14 interior doors are controlled by a System/7 Controlled Access System. The system has proven to be an effective demonstration medium for potential customers.
  
  
• GSD [General Systems Division] Headquarters [Atlanta]. A System/7 Controlled Access System is being installed, to be operational early in November [1972]; nine access points will be controlled. The headquarters installation will also be used as a demonstration vehicle for prospective System/7 CAS customers in the Atlanta area.