Star Tech Journal

19
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/JANUARY 1983
ANTI-STATIC INSULATOR INSTALLATION (See Figure #2 at left.)
1. TURN POWER OFF TO THE GAME.
2. Open the coin door and remove the coin chute and top
assembly from its mounting place. See Figure #2.
3. Remove the metal coin entry stamping.
4. Install the NEW plastic COIN ENTRY molding and
secure it in place with its PUSH NUTS. Firmly hold
NEW plastic COIN ENTRY molding in place with
one hand while installing PUSH NUTS with the other.
PUSH NUTS MUST be pushed onto the plastic studs
of the NEW plastic COIN ENTRY molding TWIST-
ING them at the same time until they are PROPERTL Y
SEA TED against the back of the coin door housing.
5. Install the coin chute IN SULA TOR into the top end of
the coin chute and top assembly as shown in Figure
#2. The lower lip on the INSULATOR must butt
against the bottom edge of the coin chute and top
assembly.
6. Reinstall the coin chute and top assembly, with the
newly installed INS ULA TOR, to the coin door.
7. Repeat this procedure for the remaining COIN ENTRY
and COIN CHUTE and TOP ASSEMBLY.
8. Close and lock the coin door.
AMOA EXPO '82
REVISITED
By Mark "Bear" Attebery, Vending International Corp., San Juan Capistrano, CA
As reported in last month's issue, the AMOA Expo '82 was not as
"alive with excitement" (See Dec. '82 S*TJ. AMOA Expo '82) or
deluged with "new winners" as in the past shows. There were,
however, a few winners out there and some new ideas to explore:
One of the most unique games at the '82 show was Sega's
"Astron Belt." Most people are familiar with laser disk tech-
nology, but for those who aren't, the system produces raster-
scan pictures equal in quality and texture to a video tape by
sending a burst of amplified light through a refracting plastic disk
that resembles a record. This refracted light is projected through
a lens onto a screen and you have a picture! When you sit down
in the cockpit and put on the stereo headset, it's very easy to
forget your surroundings and start fantasizing. This prototype
showed very realistic charge attack modes and desperate head-
on "chicken style" defense battles. One feels as if they are flying
a ship from "Star Wars". When you destroy a ship directly in
front of you, you will feel like ducking your head to avoid the
debris from the explosion.
From all indications, due to the acceptance and interest
generated at the show, Sega will proceed with the development
of this sharp new system.
Speaking of new systems, I must mention one video company . ..
Photar Industries, Inc., in Florida. They were showing their new
convertible system, which received a lot of interest. However,
this hot new system is still under wraps. It did slip out that a
CMOS system is in the works ... interesting, isn't it? (See this
month's "The 'Bear' Facts".)
Let's take a look at some of the non-videos.
Exidy made an entry into the non-video race with a unit called
"Whirley Bucket". It reminded most everyone of a mini-
skeeball. It has a sound unit that produces a mischievous laugh
when you win or lose.
All of the kiddie-ride companies had their usual line of rides,
most of which have been improved over last year, but nothing
radically new or different was noticed by this writer.
Vending International Corp. introducted six completely new
units at the show. V.I.C. has worldwide exclusive distributorship
with all of its units which consist of the "F anky Malloon Balloon
Machine", "Frog Hunter" Arcade, the "Arm Wrestler", and
"Frog Ball". All of these units are produced for V.I.C. in Japan
by Ikamoto Corp. with the exception of "Frog Ball".
V.I.C. also showed a fully automatic cotton candy processor
that spins the floss, collects the floss on a stick, and then tells the
purchaser that the vend is complete.
Ikamoto Corp. showed their new product "Champ". Although
still in the prototype stage, this unit accepted all the punishment
that it could ask for and still came up winning. "Champ" consists
of a polyurethane body in the shape of a boxer. He dodges, ducks
and swerves to avoid being hit, but once hit, pressure sensors
detect it and record it for the final score.
The other four units are produced for V.I.C.'s American
distribution branch by the largest toy manufacturer in Japan, so
it's natural that all of these units are capable of distributing prizes
or tickets - a new idea for the Japanese. The first unit is a crane.
The second is a game called "Jumpo Line'.' where the player is
expected to measure the amount of strength required when
hitting a pad in order to propel a marker around a half oval to a
pre-determined point. The third is called "Rock-N-Roll" - a
very sophisticated "Frog Ball" with two steps and much more
entertaining. The fourth game is called "Mountain Climber" and
is this year's number one game in Japan.
I.C.E. is producing a super looking game that some liken to a
super slick "Foosball" unde~ glass ( or plexiglass ). This unit has
miniature hockey players that move forward and backward and
pivot a full 360°. And they have a real puck, no ball! And what
other sound system do you know of that sings the National
Anthem? Take a look at it. It's made using CMOS technology-
state of the art and a good piece!
Nameco of America showed their well known "Shoot Away"
and "Sweet Licks".
Bob's Space Racers had their "Whack-A-Mole" and there were
Bio Rhythm, Astrology, and Pulse units on the floor. As a whole,
the non-video units were well-varied and attractive to the
conventioneers.