Nixdorf CT11

[seebart]

I've been very slack with my keyboard posts in the last months so let's take a closer look at this Nixdorf CT11 now. This keyboard is obviously a variation of the Nixdorf CT06-CT07/2 M Softkeys having the function keys at the top rather than on the left and right sides like the CT06-CT07/2 M . hammelgammler gave us a good look at the keyboard here:

photos-f62/nixdorf-surprise-reloaded-t1 ... it=nixdorf

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All caps are doubleshots with dampening rings. The "5" is the only keycap that is raised just like on the CT06-CT07/2 M. I do not know what the printing on these keycaps is. The font and overall style is the same as on the the CT06-CT07/2 M. No homing bumps. These keycaps are slightly concave, I guess one could call them semi-spherical.

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The dark grey function keycaps have engraved legends, the beige alphas do not. Quite a few secondary legends are present.

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Plate mounted Cherry MX Black cleartop "nixies". Nice grey plate.

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"Lebenslauf" is curriculum vitae or résumé "KAK 27/4/89" making it 27 years old. Youngster.

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"Singapore tested 7/89" The connector cable is fixed on that little metal bar and then routed out the case, notice the extra little access compartment for the connector.

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Matching numbers. "PC ABS".

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While those little flip feet look flimsy they're sturdy as hell. Overall the build quality of these exceeds a G80-1000 or even a G80-2100.

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orihalcon, there is no visible information on the lock. The lock has five soldering points in a circular arangement. Give me some more time on that, I'll get back to you.

[derzemel]

I love the layout is has and the way it looks... like it means serious business somehow
I wonder why the used a plate on this model and not the bigger "plus sized models".

wouldn't it be nice to reverse engineer the nixdorf keyboards and use them on a daily basis?

[seebart]

I'd say it's a very practical keyboard obviously made for a commercial setting with those terminals. That little cable compartment is a good example, a practical time saving feature. The whole keyboard only has four screws, two for the case and two for the plate. Sure I'd love to use it as a daily driver, plenty of function layer options on this one.

[orihalcon]

I ended up trading my refurbished Unsaver for Hammelgammler's CT11 board. I actually desoldered everything, and the existing matrix is too complicated to really use with another controller as is. I Initially thought it wouldn't be too hard to convert using the existing matrix, but that turns out not to be the case.

Going to have to hand wire it and probably hook it up to an Xwhatsit controller so that programming is the most practical. I do find myself missing the Unsaver, and might consider selling it once it is fully functioning, but by then will have probably put a good 10 hours into the restoration - complete with new key lock. Who knows if selling will still be the plan by the end of the restore though.

As far as I know, Seebart's and Hammelgammler's are the only couple that are known, though I wouldn't be too surprised if a couple other users have one and have kept them a secret

[derzemel]

I am geting sad thinking of how many of these were ripped apart for the switches, without even realizing how special they are

[Chyros]

I am geting sad thinking of how many of these were ripped apart for the switches, without even realizing how special they are

Indeed D: . They're nice boards really, and pretty good looking. Thanks Seebart!

[scottc]

I'd feel bad tearing apart this one for the switches. It's got a very utilitarian feel to it and I could see myself remapping it to a very attractive layout. The larger model... not so much.

[seebart]

Thanks guys, I think I'll be keeping this one although the prices being offered are tempting. Like I said I do not know much about the terminals these came with, I do know that this was an expensive commercial system not likely bought for personal use so there may not have been that many sold. I find that little "Singapore tested 7/89" sticker interesting, I was under the impression the hardware was manufactured in Germany. Apparently not so, or the parts were assembled in Germany. I'm looking foreward to your progress orihalcon, keep us updated!

[ramnes]

Slick pictures, seebart! I really envy you! That Nixdorf CT11 looks definitely more usable than its big brother.

The fact that the switch are plate-mounted and PCB-mounted is really cool.

the existing matrix is too complicated to really use with another controller as is. I Initially thought it wouldn't be too hard to convert using the existing matrix, but that turns out not to be the case.

Can you elaborate a bit more on what is that complicated with that matrix?
I don't know much about electronics, but it seems to me that a matrix is a matrix; probing the pins doesn't work here?

[photekq]

Lovely little(ish) keyboard. I'm jealous!

[Chyros]

Do you have the key that comes with it?

[seebart]

Do you have the key that comes with it?

No, I do not have the key. But I'll get hammelgammler to send me his and have a copy made. Also I have another Nixdorf with valves and lock coming up soon Chyros! V A L V E S + L O C K.

[Chyros]

Do you have the key that comes with it?

No, I do not have the key. But I'll get hammelgammler to send me his and have a copy made. Also I have another Nixdorf with valves and lock coming up soon Chyros! V A L V E S + L O C K.

YEEEEEEEEEES

AWESUUUUUUUUUUM

[seebart]

Don't get too exited, it's all been done before. I need to get a new soldering iron also. While hunting for nixies Wodan picked up a similair large Nixdorf CT06-CT07 with that same magnetic valve switch that HaaTa's got tons of pictures on. I bet the magnetic valve switch option was the more expensive uprgade option when ordering these back in the day. And you know Nixdorf did not manufacture the switches themselfs.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaa ... 7424/page2

[Wodan]

God officially hates me. I have FOUR OG vintage NIXDORF COMPUTER keyboards and ... only one of them had ONE SINGLE Nixie switch. I am not kidding you one of the keyboards came with MX whites and had one random Nixie switch.

[seebart]

No that's just pure chance, although I find it odd that they also used MX whites. Possibly Cherry could not deliver the cleartops all the time.

[Wodan]

Well the MX whites are Clicky and one single key is linear.

I'm telling you it's the NSA.

[seebart]

Well the MX whites are Clicky and one single key is linear.

I'm telling you it's the NSA.

No no, it's not the NSA and not NASA. They don't have superior keyboards like that. Well NASA maybe.

[Chyros]

Well the MX whites are Clicky and one single key is linear.

I'm telling you it's the NSA.

No no, it's not the NSA and not NASA. They don't have superior keyboards like that. Well NASA maybe.

NASA uses Hall effect switches for everything apparently, Honeywell kept making them for aerospace industry for ages.

[terrycherry]

This well-made Nixdorf PCB feels like the TG3 board. Are they had some communication on that day?
And the condition seems very good.

[orihalcon]

I have already found the direct replacement lock for this. It's the full size Nixdorf board locks that I have no clue on PM sent a while back with the part number I think.

[seebart]

NASA uses Hall effect switches for everything apparently, Honeywell kept making them for aerospace industry for ages.

I believe that, I'm sure Honeywell manufactured all kinds of stuff for NASA.

This well-made Nixdorf PCB feels like the TG3 board. Are they had some communication on that day? And the condition seems very good.

It's in pretty good shape for it's age. No real damage.

I have already found the direct replacement lock for this. It's the full size Nixdorf board locks that I have no clue on PM sent a while back with the part number I think.

The lock is much more accessible in that other magnetic valve Nixdorf I'm looking at right now, I'll be able to give you more info's.

[snuci]

NASA uses Hall effect switches for everything apparently, Honeywell kept making them for aerospace industry for ages.

I will soon be able to verify this statement

[seebart]

NASA uses Hall effect switches for everything apparently, Honeywell kept making them for aerospace industry for ages.

I will soon be able to verify this statement

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[Wodan]

Not if the Japs beat you to it, lil' cat...