I looked long and hard about trying to use an already existing Commodore enclosure so I would be closer to get a real feel, but despite my efforts... I realized quickly that it would be very difficult to get something that would fit, but also that would be cheap and easily reproduce-able. I want this enclosure to be printable so we are not bound to a mold with its long lead time and intricacies. The keyboard was probably the major factor that got me to stay away from newly molded enclosure like the C64 or A500. All these new casing are nice, but I do you go about finding the Keyboard that goes along with them, without it costing a fortune?
However, in the spirit of keeping a certain compatibility, there will be a header connector in the unit for anybody who would like to stray away and have its own version with an integrated keyboard.
Is it possible to get all of the parts with dimensions smaller than 8" ? My PRUSA , will print only up to 8X8X8 inches and many 3d printers only print up to 6 inches. The price of 3d printers goes up exponentially as they get larger.
Dan
Hi Stef,
Do you plan to publish the physical dimensions of the board? I know you are working on designing a nice enclosure and, if you don’t mind, it could allow people interesting in design to help you or to propose other ideas.
Now, I could be a little evil and take a page from the TI-99/4A....... the Peripheral Expansion Box. Of course, we'll then have a fire-hose like the TI. :-) Of course we have a little different kind of beast for upgrades but hey.........
OOOOOHHHHH! You're going to allow for an emplty EEprom socket. Yanno. It's going to be on when I get my disability started. They owe for at least 3 years back pay, and I'm gonna have lots of extra time to work on this when I get it. So stef, we may need to start talking about production plans beyond the first few developer boxes when this is done. I know someone would is going to want to invest in this. :)
3D Printed enclosure is the way to go. If this thing gets enough interest to mass produce, then it should be easy enough to create a mold from the STL.
Well, you will have access to expanding connector inside with all the necessary signals. How you go about using them will be up to you. There is also the cartridge port that you could use. Lots of possibilities... I will leave an empty socket for EEprom for software expansion at boot up... You know, stuff like that...
So are there any limitations of expandability with this? I am envisioning a C256T coming very soon. :) I am starting to watch videos on how to make my own PCBs because I already have soooo many ideas I want to implement. Somethings I was going to do for an Amiga system of some sort. But I like this idea a lot, and on the off chance I actually am able to learn and become able to make PCBs, I have a ton of add-on peripherals in mind for both my Amiga system, and this one. I'm so excited about this project!
Yes, that was my primary intent, give people freedom to improve or modify it as they see fit...
I for one am happy with the printable case idea for the very reasons you stated. Besides, your design is quite nice looking and if someone REALLY doesn't like it they could create their own easily enough!