STAR*TECH JOURNAL/JANUARY 1983
3
MORE AMOA '82 SHOW REVIEWS
This report on the AMOA '82 show, held at the Hyatt Regency
Hotel in downtown Chicago (Nov. 18-20), will point out some of
the technical developments of the game manefacturers exhibiting
at this year's expo. In the last issue (December '82) the new game
offerings were reviewed.
Bally/Midway Mfg. displayed their Universal Tester, a bench-
top unit designed to aid in troubleshooting Bally /Midway video
games. According to Bally/Midway, the Universal Tester is
capable of testing any of their games to date and, because of its
design characteristics, it is capable of testing any future games
developed by the company.
The Universal Tester is a software programmable device based
on the Z-80 microprocessor. Therefore, when a new game is
developed, all you basically need do is program your Universal
Tester with the parameters for the new game (supplied by
Bally/Midway) and start testing.
Bally /Midway also has available a factory authorized enhance-
ment kit for "Pac-Man" called "Pac-Man Plus". The new
enhancements feature: greater speed of Pac-Man and monsters,
disappearing mazes, invisible monsters, and a few more surprises.
The kit consists of a new set of ROMs and a new marquee.
Atari displayed their Programmable Atari Test Station (PAT
9000), designed to troubleshoot Atari coin-operated video games.
The PAT 9000 provides all the necessary power supplies and
controls required to simulate normal game operation. It also has
some unique features to simplify troubleshooting faulty logic boards.
For instance, two logic boards can be powered up at the same
time. This allows the service technician to compare signals from a
faulty board with those of a known good board, or to test a second
PCB without disturbing the setup of the original circuit board under
test, (i.e., one PCB can be placed under the PAT 9000 for heat
breakdown testing). This tester also comes complete with two
monitors (color raster and QuadraScan X-Y color).
Atari also had on hand their Computer Assisted Troubleshooter
(CAT) box, a portable self-contained test unit for signature analysis
and RAM testing.
Shown in one of the hotel's hospitality suites was the Atari Coin
Executive (ACE), a new integrated coin collection accounting
system. Designed for routes, arcades, or both, it is built around the
Atari 800 computer. The work station is complete with computer,
13" color display, 80-column printer, 2 disk drives, and ACE
program disks ( an accoustic modem is optional).
Williams Electronics did not have on hand their Universal
Test Fixture, but factory reps said that the powerful test device is
still under development and would be released sometime during
1983. The Williams Universal Test Fixture, reps said, will be able
to guide the technician through the various troubleshooting points,
on any Williams electronic game system, to a final solution utilizing
an alpha-numeric display. A tester this sophisticated will
undoubtedly be expensive and most likely be leased, not sold, to
Williams' distributors.
Among other manufacturers: Data East will have available
shortly a diagnostic cassette tape for their Interchangeable Game
System. Nintendo factory reps reported that they too were
developing test equipment for their electronic video game systems.
Some manufacturers said they were on the verge of releasing
totally new electronic hardware packages for their video games:
Stern Electronics reportedly has a new hardware package due
out very soon that includes, among other enhancements, a "Service
Menu" to help field technicians isolate problem areas.
Cinematronics also will be releasing shortly a new hardware
package designed to drive the new Wells-Gardner high-speed
color X-Y monitor.
Other technical info: Kurz-Kasch displayed a new bench
power supply among their stable of test equipment. The power
supply, PRS-400, is a 3-voltage fixed supply: +5vdc@ 5a, -5vdc
@ 2a, and+ 12vdc@ 2a. Sega Electronics reported that they
were in the process of standardizing all of their company's
electronics and also looking into signature analysis as an effective
way to troubleshoot Sega boards.
WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS
PINBALL MAINTENANCE
Action on the playfield fills the coin box.
The action of mechanical features is important. The most important
are the flippers, which should be maintained to insure full strength.
One method is to test the end of stroke switch for good conduction.
This is done by jumping the unhanded end of the diode on the flipper
coil to the center terminal of the coil and then operating the flipper
button undernormal conditions. If this restores full strength, file and
burnish the end of stroke switch, adjust both blades ( actuating and
stationary) together to the flipper pawl opens the end of stroke when
the flipper is in the up position. Adjust both switch blades toward
each other to secure a large amount of inward pressure on the
contacts for good conduction.
Poor strength can also be caused by dirty or misadjusted flipper
button switches. Check the position of the flipper at rest for
alignment with ball guides. The jet bumper and kicker switches must
be adjusted for fast response to increase playfield action. On the
new drop targets, the back-up blade should be lubricated with a light
machine lubricant. This promotes a reliable dropping of the targets.
Also lubricate friction points on a spinning target assembly.
Playfield switches are as important as coin switches.
Proper care in cleaning and adjusting blade switches is essential.
Never burnish or file a blade switch. Insert a card between contact
points and apply pressure to both blades while pulling the card
through. Adjust the stationary blade so the contacts touch when the
actuating blade has been depressed halfway by the ball. This allows
self-cleaning action for the remaining half of travel. The actuating
blade should be adjusted to begin travel at the start of switch
activation.
Look for problems, don't wait for players to report.
The overall condition of the playfield can be a main contributor to
player satisfaction. Operators should check and adjust playfield
action and switches at regular intervals. Good preventive main-
tenance will catch problems before games suffer damage and the
location suffers loss in game revenue. The operator must watch out
for . . . exposed broken parts . .. chipped and worn playfields ...
loose assemblies.
Dirt, grease and grime are never-ending problems.
Dirt causes the ball to be less responsive. Cleaning and waxing the
playfield protects your investment and helps you find broken parts.
You will be able to check for loose parts and tighten them back up
before they break. If any wear in the playfield begins to show, check
for nicks or gouges in the steel ball, For best results, player
satisfaction, profitability, and reliability . . . clean and wax the
playfield at least once a week.
Star*Tech Journal, Volume 4, Number 11, January 1983. Copyright 1983 by Star*Tech Journal, Inc. All rights reserved. Star*Tech Journal is published 12 times a year. Address
inquiries to: P.O. Box 1065, Merchantville, New Jersey 08109. Phone: 609/662-3432. Star*Tech Journal verifies the contents of the articles herein as much as possible.
However, any reader using this information does so at his/her own risk. Star*Tech Journal accepts no responsibilities for its advertisers' activities. Subscription rates: U.S.A. -
$40.00. Canada - $45.00. Other Countries - $70.00. Please remit payment in U.S. funds. Advertising rates available upon request. Staff: Publisher/Editor. James Galore.
Administrative Assistant: L.T. DiRenzo. Art/Advertising Coordinator: Paul Ehlin11er. Circulation Promotion: Linda Geseking. Typesetting/Layout: Dale Melonl Graphics.
Contributing Technical Writers: Todd Erickson, Joe Connor, Frank Becker, Mark Beaf' Atteberry.