This week I’ve been trying to wrap up a type casting job on my Monotype Composition Caster, when an internal part on my 12-point Lanston mould broke. I had been casting some 12-point low spaces, and when I got down…
Category: Monotype Composition Caster
New Monotype Control PCB Test
I’ve populated my new PCB with components and after a bit of fiddling, I’ve run a test on it and everything appears to work. The board has a few problems that had to be patched over, including: A missing trace…
A PCB for the Monotype Computer Interface
I’ve been slowly plugging away (apparently, for at least 9 years!) at an interface to control my Monotype Composition Caster using a computer. The caster was originally designed to be controlled by a 31-channel punched paper ribbon, which is read…
Previously-unseen Casting Problem
I ran into this casting fault when making a font of 36-point Lanston #675 Bodoni Ultra. I’ve never had this happen before and I haven’t seen this problem mentioned in any of the literature. The type is developing, for lack…
Improved Monotype Parts Storage
Over the summer we’ve been fixing up another storage room and it is finally finished enough to start storing things in it! The first thing to go in is my collection of Monotype parts. Up until now these cases have…
(Un)Plugging Cooling Water Passages
One of the moulds for my Monotype Composition Caster, specifically the type U Lanston display mould fitted for 36 point body size, had completely blocked cooling water passages. This would seriously limit how fast the caster could run, even more…
My Presentation from the 2012 ATF Conference
Someone recently asked about serial number locations on Monotype Composition Casters, and I knew I had a sort of list of where these were located. This information turned out to be in a presentation I gave at the 2012 American…
Monotype Composition Caster Pot Temperature Controller
Over the past few months, I’ve had to replace the old Partlow temperature controller on the pot of my Monotype Composition Caster. On my caster the old mechanical controller has failed; each time I ran the caster I found that…
Monotype Repairs: An Enclosure for a New Pot Temperature Controller
While using my Monotype Composition Caster recently, I’ve noticed that the pot temperature has been drifting. On several occasions I’ve found it to be quite a bit hotter than the setpoint, to the point where I had to select a…
Air Compressor for the Monotype Caster
I’ve been using a compact air compressor to run my Monotype Composition Caster. The machine uses pneumatics to control what matrix it casts, when to start a new line, how wide to make the adjustable-width casts, etc. Originally the caster…
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