1976 Hermes Ambassador #1360094

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Hein Reinders (heinemaat)
Created: 05-20-2022 at 05:49AM
Last Edit: 05-20-2022 at 06:45AM

Description Hunter 12 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Hermes Ambassador of the last generation (plastic cabinet)

This machine is the last generation of the Ambassador family. As all other manufacturers, Hermes have struggled to keep cost down.
You may find examples of their effort in the description of the photos.

Reducing part cost is one way: the original aluminium moulded frame now has a steel front and end plate.

Reducing part count is a way to cost reduction.
Combining its many functions in a single moulded part is can be seen in the housing: a single plastic moulding.
The two card holders have evolved into a two identical mouldings, left equals right. Brilliant thinking.
See also the photo's for examples of reduction in part count

Skipping functions where possible: there is no friction-brake on the ribbon spools anymore, or it should the thick grease in the bearings serve as such? The thickened grease resultet in the ribbon to be tight enough to jam the ribbon hopper in its upper position. That is what I found after trying to find a cause in the mechanics for an hour.

The original ribbonhopper end-piece is in plastic, which seems s good idea: the linkages at its bottom end can be done away with and the plastic can be designed to slide easily along its guide. However, the parts that you need to fiddle the ribbon through break of easily.
For this reason, a metal ribbonhopper from a donor (see my gallery on Hermes Ambassador Electric)(yet to come) has been installed.

The rubber feet that the old Ambassadors stand on strech all along the side and hold the bottom plate. This Ambassador has large traditional rubber feet and no bottom plate to hold.
The back plate is a single plastic moulding, and easily pulled of the back.
The rollercage in the carriage, the typix dust cover, the bonnet, all are in plastic.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

card holders in full plastic. Formerly, the pivotpoints were metal inserts. The originals were specific for left and right and pivotpoints were threaded

cleaned tabs bar. The tabs clamp around the bar and can turm in their groove. Tab is single stamping with spring-action integrated for clamping

skeleton at sundown

This hopper seems to say 'where have my other arms gone? How should I pull the ribbon downwards when I'm done pushing it up? '' No good plastic design.

The button with the arrow increases the required typeforce by pretensioning all keysprings. Much better design than in first generation.

Hunter: Hein Reinders (heinemaat)

Hein Reinders's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 750

As a retired product development engineer, I am fascinated by the design of electro-mechanical products in which parts move, make noise and, preferably, radiate a little heat. Most preferred are products that are operated by keys, like typewriters, accordeons and pianos.
My genetics and statistics on lifetime expectancy suggest that it is time for me to let you know about the fantastic design, product engineering and manuacturing skills of the generation before mine. I salute mr. Munk for the opportunity that he has created for me to show it to the world. Okay, a bit bombastic.
Comments? Email me at hreinder1950@gmail.com