Analog Computers

English translation

← Book details Original PDF →

Series Production of a New Product: The Calculators (CSF)

This document is an English translation of the original French brochure published by CSF (Compagnie Générale de TSF / Société Française de Radioélectricité). Language of original: French.

The C.S.F. Calculator Manufacturing Chain (Schema)

The diagram on the opening page illustrates the integrated supply and manufacturing chain for CSF calculators, involving multiple subsidiaries and partners of the Compagnie Générale de T.S.F.:

  • C.S.F. — Special condensers (capacitors); fabrication of calculation blocks (blocs calcul); assembly, partial installation, and adjustment
  • C.I.C.E. — Wax disc blanks; multiple pin connectors
  • C.A.M.E.C.A. — Special servo motors; various miscellaneous items
  • C.S.F. — Special rotors; fans, salts, potentiometers, etc.
  • I.C.C. — Various miscellaneous condensers
  • S.T.E.L. — Regulated high-output power supplies; CSF TG 400 tubes
  • S.F.R. — Quartz; tubes; chassis
  • Sub-contractors: NORS (electrical equipment), AERAZUR (trailers), and various other small parts (visserie, etc.)

Series Production of a New Product: The Calculators

The operating principle of the CSF electronic calculator — a preparation and fire control device for artillery based on HF processes — was decreed by Decree No. 1193 of 30 June 1954. This is now the first apparatus of its kind ever put into series production.

Signed in June 1953, the contract concerned the supply of 100 calculators to be delivered by 30 June 1955, with a target production and delivery time of only 24 months for contractual batch production.

One understands the challenge: on the one hand, no similar apparatus had ever previously been put into series production; on the other hand, given the volume of the order and the command time available, all manufacturing processes for original elements of the apparatus had to be mastered from the outset — the raw materials needed for the device to function had to be acquired, and to a large extent, the actual manufacturing means had to be installed.

Production Means

Ceramic Means

The paste that will become the dielectric material acquires its homogeneity in the C.I.C.E. crushers, where its constituents are mixed for 24 hours.

Homogeneity and Stability: these two qualities required of the dielectric in special condensers can be guaranteed only after a long series of chemical, mechanical, and thermal treatments. The cycle is completed in approximately 40 metres of continuous tunnel kiln, at the exit of which the parts are brought to 1,400°C, following a rigorously controlled temperature curve.

Following ceramic means, here are some mechanical means:

  • A multi-head milling machine used for routing the plates of the calculation block.
  • A high-precision pointing (alignment) machine.
  • A gear-cutting machine: the metal being worked on is a milling tool allowing a 33-tooth pinion to be machined; to fix ideas, this machine works 30 times faster than conventional machines.

Condenser (Capacitor) Assembly

A condenser assembly line in the new CSF factory at Montrouge. At one of the 12 stations on this line, centering is performed.

On the right, the pointing of the leads entering the chain. The condenser is finished on the table at left.

Special Motors and Capacitors

The electrolysis tanks used for manufacturing the special rotors for the CAMECA motors.

The images in this section illustrate the breadth of industrial disciplines required for calculator development. The diversity comparable to what is found in the means that had to be defined and installed for assembly or mounting of the elements of these apparatuses extends from classical means used for cabinet finishing… to entirely original devices for centering condensers, centering achieved to within a few microns on parts of more than 5 cm diameter.

Montages (Assembly)

The assembly chain for calculation blocks at the CSF factory in Montrouge.

The blocks leaving the chain clearly show in these images that no electronic tube exists in the calculation chain, which ensures great ease of maintenance of the apparatus and above all allows the calculator to retain all its precision after a very large number of operating hours.

Power Supplies and Wiring

At the end of another assembly platform, the high-output stabilized power supplies (STEL) emerge.

For wiring as well, the group of companies of the Compagnie Générale de T.S.F. had to have exceptional means — those used by SFR for wiring harnesses and frameworks.

…and for series wiring of cabinet furniture.

Controls (Quality Control)

The remarkable precision of the CSF calculator was achieved not only by the most careful definition of production and assembly means, but also by the deployment throughout the production chain of specially adapted quality control means for this new production.

In-line at the head of the chain, the constituent elements of the condensers undergo dimensional checks with tolerances less than 2 microns. Verification of rotors at left, stators at center. At right, classification of centering rollers by their diameter in microns relative to a reference diameter.

Leakage control of a cove pre-set under pressure in water. Note the thickness of the Plexiglas portholes allowing illumination of the dials from outside — and the CICE multiple pin connectors.

Verification and adjustment of calculation circuits.

Testing and Delivery

Ballistic calculation block testing platform. At each station, the ballistic functions as they must be translated by the calculator are verified.

After putting the complete calculator together and verifying the calculations performed, the blocks are then disassembled to allow installation of the furniture in the trailer.

Then the whole assembly is put together again and the final acceptance tests take place.

Immediately after the conclusion of these tests, the trailers are delivered to the users.

Production Flow

The production rate of the chain is displayed in the assembly hall on a display panel that all personnel can consult. [Production chart for approximately 990 units shown.]

Summary and Figures (Page 18–19)

Let us add a few figures at random:

  • 300 new machine tools installed for this production, occupying more than 5,000 square metres of floor space
  • More than 5,000 kg of engineering drawings
  • Only 24 months from start to delivery of the contractual series

Thanks to the effort demanded of the Group of Companies, it was possible to deliver — with the desired effectiveness — apparatuses entirely original to French manufacturing, contributing an entirely new solution to an old ballistic problem using an entirely French technology.

Success is due to the craftsmen: MM. Honoré and Torcheux, engineers-advisors; and Roy, the inventors; the military experts who wanted this perfect apparatus and entrusted their confidence in an advanced-guard technique; and all the collaborators of the workshops at Levallois (Technical Service of the Army), the research managers around Generals Combeaux and Jund, Colonel Andre’s team, Commander Jannin, Principal Engineer Rombout, Principal Engineer Rosiller, and other key team leaders — all working in collaboration with the various services of the Army at the initiative of M. Bigard, Industrial Director of C.S.F., guided by M. Uffler (Director of the Calculators Department) and M. Danzin (responsible for spare parts), who merited the confidence that the Group was able to place in him to bring this difficult enterprise to fruition — and credit also to the staff of the various factories of the Group for the quality and conscience devoted to the difficult construction task.

Collaborators of the C.S.F. Group on the “Calculateurs Committee” (Inter-Company Management Committee):

  • MM. Bigard, Directeur-Général Industriel C.S.F.R.
  • MM. Uffler, Director of the Calculators Department C.S.F.R. (head of division)
  • MM. Gaillot, Director of the Calculators Department
  • MM. Danzin, Ingénieur C.S.F.
  • MM. Bonne, Sub-Director Industrial C.S.F.
  • MM. Lalendé, Ingénieur C.S.F.
  • MM. Sénicourt, Ingénieurs C.S.F.
  • MM. Toussaint, Director of the Levallois Material Department
  • MM. Coulancier, Précieuse, Ingénieurs C.S.F.

(Also noted but not in the photograph: MM. Honoré and Torcheux, Engineers-Advisors; and: Brial, Casneuf, Gélardin, Lévèque, Payeur, Perthuix, Romuat, Samuel, Strindberg, Ingénieurs C.S.F.; Durand, Germain, Lembrouck, Ingénieurs S.F.R.)

The Future of the Calculator

CSF has successfully carried out series production of the fire control calculator of 90 mm. This calculator, based on original processes using HF constants, is best suited to all problems of instantaneous resolution of equations required by the conduct of fire on a moving target.

The quasi-instantaneous nature of servo-mechanisms allows the elements of a fire solution to be developed immediately; its robustness stems from the fact that no vacuum tube intervenes in the calculation circuits; adjustment of all regulating circuits is pre-established — so the instrument can be set up in the time necessary to solve the equation elements.

Application fields cited:

  • Simple or complex metrology such as determination of coefficients resulting from several simultaneous and fluctuating measurements (e.g., wind deviation measurement)
  • High-technology study problems such as development of ship hull profiles, cross-sections of dams, etc.; the utility of the calculator manifests itself in testing centers for work that analyzes the synthesis or the choice of optimum, notably in the realization of simulators, on magic machines or on the different instantaneous data provided at high speed, immediately providing results that one can record on its scope
  • Large administrations such as E.D.F. and S.N.C.F. pose problems of dispatching and regulation of a more and more complex nature, or of the cerebral type more and more difficult to find the best solution alone

The photographs above illustrate the progress made in continuous manufacturing of the 90 mm calculator translated into reductions in weight and cost while maintaining the current qualities of precision and robustness.

Reception of the 100th Calculator

An event was organized to mark the delivery of the 100th calculator. M. Toussaint, Director of the Material Department, is shown presenting the apparatus. Among those present were members of the Management of the Group, Members of the Army receiving committee who had been in close collaboration for a long time in the factory working to defend the interests they represented, and also the factory committee. The celebration was held at the same time at the SFR factory.

(Left to right in the reception photograph: M. Bigard; an Army Technical Service Commander; the Captain Rifat; the Captain Chouvelour, chiefs of receiving military teams; and M. Poite.)

End of translation.