DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM
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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Toshiba BC-8018B (Version 1)
| Date of introduction: | 1978 | Display technology: | Fluorescent |
| New price: | Display size: | 8 | |
| Size: | 5.6" x 3.0" x 0.8" 142 x 75 x 20 mm3 |
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| Weight: | 4.0 ounces, 112 grams | Serial No: | D 22618 |
| Batteries: | 2*AA | Date of manufacture: | year 1978 |
| AC-Adapter: | BH-115 (110V) or BH-116 (220V) |
Origin of manufacture: | Taiwan |
| Precision: | 8 | Integrated circuits: | Sharp LI2017 |
| Memories: | Displays: | Futaba 9-ST-08A | |
| Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner |
Production
of the original Toshiba BC-8018 and
BC-8111 was transitioned in Fall 1978 from Japan to
Taiwan and the calculators renamed to BC-8018B an
BC-8111B.
Dismantling the featured
BC-8018B (Version 1) calculator manufactured in 1978 by
Zeny Corporation in Taiwan
reveals a very cost effective design using a single-sided printed circuit board
(PCB) centered around a Sharp LI2017 single-chip calculator circuit connected to a 9-digit
Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), a keyboard assembly and powered by 2 AA-sized
alkaline batteries.
The
Sharp LI2017 chip was introduced in 1976 seems to be from a technology point of view
slightly ahead of the TMS1070 used with
other Toshiba calculators like the BC-1015 and
integrated already the "pull down" resistors needed to bias the anodes and grids
of the display with respect to the filament. Texas Instruments caught up with
the introduction of the TMS1040 Product
Family and the Toshiba BC-8018B (Version 2)
calculator switched its internals to a TMS1045 single-chip calculator circuit
and consequently replaced the two [C] and [CE] keys with a combined [C/CE] key.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, January 9, 2023. No reprints without written permission.