Systems

IBM 3210 ConsolePrinter-Keyboards
Component Description
This publication describes the physical and functional
characteristics of the IBM 3210 Console Printer-Keyboards.
The purpose of each of the control keys and indicator lights
supplementing the keyboard is included.
For additional information on forms specifications, referto Form-Design Considerations--System Printers, GA24-3488.
For additional information on 3210 operating procedures,refer to IBM System/370 Model 145 Operating Procedures,
GA24-3554.

Preface

This manual is intended as an introduction to the IBM 3210
Console Printer-Keyboards. The 3210's are described hereaccording to the way in which they operate with IBM
System/370.
However, because the 3210 Model 2 is a standalone I/O
unit, the assigned functions of the control keys and indicator lights described here may vary according to theparticular requirements of another system.

Second Edition (December 1970)
This manual is a major revision of the previous edition that described the 3210
Model 2 only. This revision includes the 3210 Modell.
Changes are continually being made to the information herein; any such changes
will be reported in subsequent revisions or Technical Newsletters.
Requests for copies of IBM publications should be made to your IBM representative
or to the IBM branch office serving your locality.
This manual has been prepared by the IBM Systems Development Division, ProductPublications, Dept. 171, P.O. Box 6, Endicott, N.Y. 13760. A form is provided at
the back of this publication for readers' comments. If the form has been removed,comments may be sent to this address.

© Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 1970

Contents

IBM 3210 Console Printer-Keyboards
Description
ModellModel2 .
Printer
Keyboard.
Control Keys and Indicator Lights
Control Keys .
Indicator Lights
Cover Interlock Switch
Paper-Handling FacilitiesMachine Power .

555556677777

Figure 1. IBM 3210 Conso le Printer-Keyboard Model 1

Figure 2. IBM 3210 Co nsole Printer-Keyboard Model 2

IBM 3210 Console Printer-Keyboards

Keys and Indicator Lights). In the positions occupied by

The 3210 Console Printer-Keyboards are auxiliary I/Oterminal units that provide two-way communication between
the operator and an attached data processing system. This
communication is in the form of keyboard entry and printed
output.
The 3210 printer-keyboard consists of the new Selectric®
I/O-II printer keyboard mounted in an operator's console.
Intended for use with IBM System/370, the 3210 is available in two models-one local, and one remote-that havethe same capabilities except for alter/display.

this light and key on the Modell, the Model 2 has an ac
power-on and an ac power-off switch. It also has its own
ac power control system built into the pedestal.

PRINTERThe printer uses a IS-in. (381 mm) carriage with a pin-feed
platen that accommodates marginally punched forms
having a hole-to-hole width of 13-1/8 in. (333,4 mm).
This carriage handles a maximum of one original and fivecarbon copies of pin-feed forms. For best results, however,no more than three carbon copies are recommended.
Vertical line spacing is six lines to the inch (25,5 mm);horizontal spacing is ten characters to the inch.
The printer has fixed margins and no tab or backspacecapabilities. It uses the standard Selectric® cartridge
fabric ribbon and has no pressure rolls or paper bail. It
uses a special print element having an arrangement of the88 printable characters designed (Figure 3) to provide
maximum throughput and fast response when keying.
Printer functions are print, space, and new line (carrier
return accompanied by a line feed). Print and space

MODEL 1This model (Figure 1) is mounted on a table attached tothe System CPU. It has the capability of altering or displaying data in storage.

MODEL 2This model (Figure 2) is mounted on a pedestal and isattached to the CPU by an external signal cable. It has its
own ac line cord and no alter/display capability. Accordingly,
the Model 2 has no alter/display light or key (see Control!

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Figure 3. Optimized Character Arrangement on Print Element5opera tions take place at speeds of 15.5 characters per
second; carrier return speed is about 15 inches (381 mm)
per second.
For additional information on forms specifications, referto Form-Design Considerations--System Printers, GA24-3488.
For additional information on 3210 operating procedures,refer to IBM System/370 Model 145 Operating Procedures,
GA24-3554.

KEYBOARD

The keyboard (Figure 4) has 44 operating character keys
that can transmit 88 encoded characters to the attachedsystem. The tab and backspace keys, although present,
are blank and inoperable. The shift, lock, and return keys
are standard, as is the space bar. The keyboard has notypamatic (continuously repetitive) keys.

CONTROL KEYS AND INDICATOR LIGHTS

Figure 5 shows the operator control keys and indicatorlights that flank the 3210 keyboard. Depending on themodel, the two lower left positions are either alter/display
lights and switches, or power on/off switches, as indicated in the drawing. No associated logic is furnishedwith the 3210 printer-keyboards. Any logical function
performed as a result of key operation is a function of theuser attachment. The functions assigned the control
keys and lights in this manual are those used by the 3210
with the IBM System/370. Conceivably, other users mightassign them other functions.

Figure 4. 3210 Keyboard

c:JI'CANCEL'~READY, READYIALARM I

8B*IREQUEST I**

Modell = ALTER/DISPLAY
MODE(Light)

Model 1 = ALTER/DISPLAY(Switch)Model 2 = POWE R
ON(Back-Lighted Switch)

Model 2 = POWE R
OFF

LEGEND(Switch~Figure 5. Operator's Control Keys and Indicator Lights

6, PROCEED'Control Keys
Key

Function

Alarm Reset

Resets the alarm indicator.

Alter/Display

On the Modell only, causes the attachment
to service the manual alter or display operations.
Note: The CPU stop key must be pressed
before the alter/display key can be used.

LightFunction

Power On

On the Model 2 only, is part of the power-onswitch (key). It lights whenever the operationof the power-on key has turned on ac power
to the printer. The light remains on until theac power is shut off.

ProceedIndicates that the system is ready to accept
data from the keyboard.

Request Pending

Indicates that a request key operation has
been initiated but that the system is not yet
ready to accept data from the keyboard.

CancelTerminates a read operation only.

End

Terminates a read, write, or store operation.

Not ReadyMakes the printer-keyboard not ready andputs it in an offline condition.

Power OffOn the Model 2 only, is in the position
occupied by the alter/display key on theModell. It removes ac power from theprinter drive motor.

The 3210 printer-keyboards are equipped with a coverinterlock switch that signals the system that operator
intervention is required to close the cover.

Power On

On the Model 2 only, is in the position
occupied by the alter/display mode light on
the Modell. I t turns on ac power to theprinter drive motor. When ac power is on,
the label on this key is illuminated.

PAPER-HANDLING FACILITIESReadyPlaces the printer in a ready state after forms'
have been correctly positioned and the top
cover closed.

RequestSignals the attachment that the operator
desires to enter data from the keyboard.

Indicator Lights

These incandescent \mlbs, when lit, shine thr~ugh theirtranslucent plastic lenses to illuminate the engraved labels.
Light

Function

Alarm

Indicates that an alarm command was issued
by the attached system. On the 3210 printerkeyboard, the alarm consists of this visualindicator only. The actual alarm is an audiotone emitting device in the CPU.

Alter/DisplayMode

Indicates that the printer-keyboard attachment is in a status in which it can perform
manual alter or display operations.

Intvn Reqd
(In terven tionRequired)Indicates that some condition exists that
requires operator attention, such as forms
runout, cover open, (or ac power off on theModel 2).

Cover Interlock Switch

The Modell has two shelves at the back to hold paper forms.
The supply of blank forms is placed on the lower shelf. The
paper then is threaded through a slot in the upper shelf andinserted through an opening at the top of the printer where
the marginal perforations can engage the platen feed pins.
As printing progresses and the forms advance through theprinter, they emerge through the same opening by which
they entered and are stacked on the upper shelf.
The Model 2 has only a single (stacking) shelf that holds
the printed forms as they emerge from the printer. The
supply of blank forms is placed on the base of the machine(refer to Figure 2), and the paper is threaded through theslot in the stacking shelf and inserted in the printer in thesame manner as for the Modell.
Forms length is limited by the shelf size to 11 inches(279,4 mm).

MACHINE POWER

The Modell derives all its power, both ac and dc, fromthe attachment circuitry in the CPU.
The Model 2, however, has a power-on switch and line
cord that provide the ac power to the drive motor in theprinter. All other (dc) power and signal lines must be
supplied by the attached system through the printerkeyboard interface connectors and the external
connecting-cable provided with this model.

7

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IBM 3210 Console Printer-Keyboards
Component Description

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