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Calculators: Handheld: Rockwell Slide Rule Memory 30R

30R

Size (approx): 77mm (max) x 155mm x 22mm (max)  (w,h,d)
Weight 134g excluding batteries

Power:

9.0V DC, 1xPP3 size batteries.    Also accepts adapter (Part No. 331 R03-001 for the US 110V-120V) through top end socket on the left. 
Case: Sturdy stippled brown plastic case with light beige keyboard surround.  Red display cover shows a clear view of the numbers.  Squashy but positive lozenge-shaped keys work well.  The raised Rockwell logo and two vertical edges are painted silver and have survived very well on this example.  The on/off sliding switch is on the right hand side midway up.
Display: 8 digit red LED with bubble lens and ninth digit for minus sign 
Features: Four function with percentages and four function memory.  Register exchange, change sign, inverse, squares and square roots.
Age: 1974
Manufacturer: Rockwell International, Microelectronic Product Division.   Made in Great Britain. Serial No. 9A14514
Comments:

 

Lovely typical USA Rockwell calculator with sound logic and clear display.   Both the silver trim and any lettering on the keyboard surround have a tendency to rub off so finding good examples is not easy.   Original case is padded brown plastic with flip top cover and tuck-in tab at the front.

Components: 1 x cpu: Rockwell A4612PA 7506 (week 6 of 1975) 42 pin DIL 
2 x logic gates Texas SN7429A M7432 (week 32 of 1974) 14 pin DIL
1 x 9 digit bubble lens LED unit 
0 x transistors
5 x diodes
10 x resistors
2 x capacitors
1 x transformer Astec AA1225A
Boards: Keyboard unit is attached to the main cpu board via nine pins into sockets on the bottom and side of the main board.  Later models solders these connections as it reduced manufacturing costs.
Construction: Remove the four screws on the back.  Gently push out the front keyboard which hinges up from the display surround.  Pop off the display surround by using gently pushing a blunt object through the three slots on the rear.  The area above the display has a piece of matt grey card so that light does not show through the upper part of the red plastic cover.

Logic comments: (C) cancels an incorrect numerical entry, pressing a second time (C) clears the calculator
Divide by zero shows "0.o" whilst overflows are shown with the answer and "o" in the far right (ninth) digit. The error is recoverable by use of (C).  Using "o" means you cannot tell if the overflow is positive or negative until (C) is pressed.
Minus sign is shown on the far right (ninth) digit
Input overflow is suppressed, typing in nine digits ignores the last one
Memory functions are called up by two button presses; i.e. (M) (+) will add the main register contents to the memory
Memory storage is not flagged - you have to remember it
It has automatic constant on all functions

Manual

The sample manual of the 30R is too poor to scan but is practically identical to the 20R manual pictured on the right.

Small manual measuring 128mm x 68mm has colour cover (including inside diagram) and 48 additional one colour black printed pages.  Back states "Rockwell International ... where science gets down to business".  Ref 2520-D-60-R2-407, Litho in the USA.  Stated copyright of 1974.

Excellent in depth manual with advert in the middle for the whole range that year; 10R, 20R, 30R, 51R, 61R and 80R.