Importance

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Abstract

The present invention comprises a mechanism for incrementally rotating a plotter carousel holding a plurality of pens around its perimeter. The rotational increments of the carousel are spaced to present any of the plurality of pens to a drawing arm on the plotter, or other graphics. A non-servo, non-stepper electric motor, such as a DC motor commonly used in slot cars, provides the rotational power to rotate the carousel. A control device switches the motor on or off with an output connected to the base of a driver connected between the power supply and the motor. The motor, when on, rotates an incremental indexing mechanism that in turn rotates the carousel in increments, each increment being a fraction of one full rotation. A switch is provided which detects that the carousel has been rotated one increment. This switch is connected to the control device, and, depending upon whether or not the desired pen is at the transfer point, the control device accordingly either switches off the motor or advances the carousel to the desired increment. Thus, the present invention uses event feedback to control the carousel. The event that the carousel has rotated one increment is this feedback.

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First Claim