Archimedes LK is an electromechanical calculator produced by VEB Robotron Elektronik, a German company founded by Constantin Fisher in 1890. In particular, LK is a lighter variant of the Archimedes L model, and it’s the evolution of G and H models.
Insights
Compared to Archimedes L, LK possesses more specific features, such as the automatic division function without preselection. L model followed G and H models, and it incorporated automatic division with shortlisting of carriage position, but not the complicated automatic multiplication to a keyboard characterizing the M model. To make up for these shortcomings, the purchase of additional modules was possible; these included “S” module (printer) or “M” module (a multiplication keyboard additional to the built-in one, for automatic multiplications). In addition to that, Archimedes LK was also equipped with a new automatic carriage cleaning mechanism, and the carriage could be moved electrically.
In order to reduce the calculator weight, Archimedes LK eliminated the heavy cast iron plate characterizing the base of previous models.
To work out calculations, LK model applies a mechanism based on Liebnitz Stepped Drum (the English word for Staffelwalze). Calculators based on this system have been produced by several non-American manufacturers, thus finding wide use mainly in Europe, and to a limited extent in the USA.
Technical Data Sheet
Name of the asset: Archimedes LK
Category: electromechanical calculator
Manufacturer: VEB Robotron Elektronik
Assembler: Glashütte Rechenmaschinenfabrik Reinhold Pöthig
Country of production: Germany
Year of production: dal 1935 al 1940
Dimensions: 395x335x235 mm /:
Weight: dai 15 ai 16.5 kg
