I've been viewing the "history of the rollermatic" and the youtube 1-18 mechanism video
Capturing frames and correcting gamma I can see the motor and what looks like a standard sheave pulley on top of the drive spindle.
The difference with the rollermatic isn't just a belt drive, it is that a standard cheap someone elses motor is used, and it is hung below the top of the drive spindle, instead of being hung above it in a special "only this machine" housing. I think that made it cheaper and allowed a larger capacity.
What that means is that a different sheave pulley could be fitted to it. Or... a standard 3 phase motor might be mounted, given 3 phase then those $160 variable frequency drives can be hooked up. They allow one to run a motor faster or slower than the typical 1750 rpm. Imagine being able to adjust what gentle vs normal means.
Tim Taylor would be proud.
Opinions are only those of an excited 1-18 owner to be. Do not accept if, have history of liver problems, high blood pressure , taking statins, spending long hours on internet web sites or have a history of collecting large objects and storing them in subterranean rooms.
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