Printed 3-Bit Mechanical Punch Card Reader

3D Printing & Imaging
Printed 3-Bit Mechanical Punch Card Reader


Thingiverse user Chris designed this punch card reader and posted it on the site.

This is a proof-of-concept, 3-bit Jacquard-style, all-mechanical punch card reader. The design was inspired by designs in a textbook called “The Mechanism of Weaving” by T.W. Fox (it’s about 100 years old, but I found a copy on Amazon), and adapted to work within the limitations of my Makerbot ToM printer. It is a single-cylinder, single-acting, positive-action device. This design could readily be adapted to a higher number of ‘bits’ (needles) by re-designing only a few parts. With minor modifications, it should be suitable to mounting over a miniature loom, with the bottom eyes of the hooks lifting healds or warp threads directly. This is probably as impractical as it sounds.

6 thoughts on “Printed 3-Bit Mechanical Punch Card Reader

  1. Printed 3-Bit Mechanical Punch Card Reader | My Daily Feeds says:

    […] Read the full article on MAKE […]

  2. Leigh says:

    Bring back the Hasbro Think-a-tron!

  3. 3D print your own punch card reader and relive the good old days | Stock Market News - Business & Tech News says:

    […] Thingiverse via Make […]

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My interests include writing, electronics, RPGs, scifi, hackers & hackerspaces, 3D printing, building sets & toys. @johnbaichtal nerdage.net

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