I posted about some research on the 4004 based computer that I found and I remember there was some concern that what I had was not in fact a computer, but a controller. So I have been digging a bit more and I think I found something interesting to support that the Compstar was a "Micro Computer" Intel used the System 4 in their own advertising calling it a "Micro Computer" In The Intel MCS 4 User Manual Feb 1973 page 171 and in Electronics Magazine Jan 1973, they promote the 4004 and 8008 and use the System 4 as an example. http://www.bitsavers.org/components/intel/MCS4/MCS-4_UsersManual_Feb73.pdf https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Electronics/70s/73/Electronics-197...

From the sources:

"An Intel micro computer does all the thinking for this automatic bottle-loading machine. The micro computer, built by Comstar Corporation of Edina, Minnesota, for Conveyor Specialities, tells the machine how to load bottles of different sizes and when to perform each step in the loading process. The little computer in a 6" x 6" x 11/2" space replaces several racks of counters, timers and relays that would otherwise be required. According to Comstar, the computer's flexible programming is a major advantage. Programs on PROMs can be changed in half an hour. Comstar estimates that the micro computer halved the cost of the control portion of this system, and reduced the time required to build it by a factor of two or three. The company is now building other types of systems with Intel micro computers, including an automatic meat weighing and packaging machine." I also got my hands on a newer System 4 but it's pretty much the chassis. I have the cards but no ribbon cables to make this work. So I am still working on this but I don't have a lot of time. If anyone wants to join in or knows someone who is better at research than I would could use the help Thanks Chris On Wed, Jan 10, 2024 at 12:32 PM Christian Liendo <cliendo@gmail.com> wrote:

A number of years ago I got my hands on a Comstar Programmer, it programmed roms for a computer called the Comstar System 4.

I was told both the programmer and the System 4 were intel 4004 based. I asked around and kept getting told no computer was 4004 based.

I really didn't do much due diligence just some searching here and there but I found enough to show that the computer did exist and was 4004 based.

The website "Internet Scripophily Museum of Computing" has a page on the history of The Warner & Swasey Company. It's a decent timeline of the company

http://ismoc.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-warner-swasey-company.html

In "Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers" April 1976, the computer is mentioned on page 54 and page 70. On page 70 are the specifications and they show it being 4004 based.

http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/auerbach/Auerbach_Guide_to_Minicomputers_Apr76....

In the IEEE Spectum May 1975 on page 26 the compiler and the System 4 are talked about having a 4004

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6368812

In the ACM's archives "Development of a portable compiler for industrial microcomputer systems" by LEROY H. ANDERSON The Warner & Swasey Company, it discusses the system and has images on the unit.

https://www.computer.org/csdl/pds/api/csdl/proceedings/download-article/12Om...

And finally the Computer History Museum put the manual up for download.

https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102686568

I'm still trying to get more info, but I think this is some decent evidence to show there was a 4004 based computer in 1972