General Dynamics plans to sell its Datagraphix unit.

Datagraphix is a San Diego-based manufacturer of microfilm equipment and laser printers. The decision to sell Datagraphix was reached after a private study conducted for the St. Louis-based defense contractor on the “advisability of continued non-defense diversification,” according to company spokesman P. K. Donnelly. Datagraphix, with 2,500 employees, reported $10.2 million in profit and $213.5 million in revenue last year. General Dynamics has engaged First Boston Corp. to handle the proposed sale, but it has not set a timetable for the sale, according to Donnelly.