Applied Research LaboratoriesSenior Technical Writer

Thermo Scientific purchased the ARL division from Baush & Lomb, and now produces most of their previous products.

The Thermo Scientific (ARL) 4460 optical emission spectrometer is the solution for ultimate analytical performance in varying laboratory conditions or in hostile environments. I wrote parts of the User's Manual for this instrument.

I was employed as a Senior Technical Writer at Applied Research Laboratories (A Division of Bausch & Lomb) from 2/80 to 6/81 . Duties included documentation of Optical Emission Quantometers, X-Ray Fluorescence Quantometers, Ion Microprobe Mass Analyzers, Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometers, Scanning Electron Microprobe Quantometers, and Quantotest Metal Analyzers. Responsible for all software specifications and manuals conforming to FIDS specifications for ARL, ARL-DIANO, and ARL-SEMCO computerized spectroscopy systems.
I was responsible for researching, documenting, and developing detailed operator procedures, maintenance procedures, troubleshooting procedures, fault isolation procedures, and operation checklists for all technical documentation. Source material was derived from engineering drawings, specifications, and electrical schematics. I taught training courses at U.S. Steel in Lorraine, Ohio on the use and operation of the Quantotest 36000 Metal Analyzer.

The ARL 36000 Quantotest Metal Analyzer was revolutionary in its time... a non-destructive spectrographic analyzer that was portable enough to wheel around a scrap yard.

This is the Functional Block Diagram from the Operator's Manual of the ARL 36000 Quantotest. A dedicated team of professionals was assembled by Ray Little (Manager of Publications) to produce these beautiful manuals for ARL. The detailed block diagrams, fault isolation charts, and troubleshooting procedures were all produced by hand, using pen and ink, and made camera-ready. FIDS manuals were as expensive as they were comprehensive in the early 1980's, before the advent of desktop publishing.

Dolch Logic Instruments (now Dolch Computer Systems, Inc.)

Volker Dolch started Dolch Logic Instruments in Germany in 1976, to design and manufacture a line of Logic Analyzers, an important instrument in the design and test of digital electronic circuits. The company became the largest supplier of logic analyzers in Europe. In 1987, Dolch sold the company and arranged a management buy-out of its American division. In 2005, Kontron AG acquired Dolch and then sold its rugged mobile platform to Azonix in 2007.
I was employed as the Manager of Technical Publications from 10/82 to 3/84. I reported to Terry Larson, who was the Director of Marketing (click here for a pdf file of my final Performance Review). By mutual agreement, I left Dolch to start my own consulting firm, Technology Media Enterprises, Consulting. Dolch Logic Instruments was my first customer (click here for a pdf file of the first Purchase Order).
I was hired to work at the main plant in Dietzenbach, West Germany to convert what was called “Genglish” (combination German and English) technical manuals into “Silicon Valley English” technical manuals. The first thing I did at Dolch was to introduce the Functionally Integrated Documentation System (FIDS), which I helped develop at ARL several years prior. Click here for pdf excerpts of the FIDS Technical Manual Specification. You will see that it was the basis for all the technical publications produced by DLI since then.

The 64300 Logic Analysis System 64-Channels/300MHz. I wrote the Operator's Manual.