Computers for the Rubber and Plastics Industry: Mini, Midi, and Micro

Small computers, known popularly as mini-computers, have become available comercially in great profusion during the past few years. The distinguishing characteristics of these machines are low cost, small physical size, work-shop or factory environment capability, computational speed and logic identical to larger and more expensive machines, and their seemingly instant popularity for myriads of new uses. It should also be noted that integrated circuit technology is only the trigger of this boom of small low-cost computers. Low cost stems also from high-volume production for the original equipment manufacturers market, removal of much of the external connector and signal conditioning equipment, borrowing of programming systems and packages from older and more expensive designs of computers, and separate pricing for systems engineering and applications programs. Projects which are to make use of mini-computers must take full cognizance of these as well as the prior list of characteristics.