[Coco] Laser Cut Cartridge Case (was Re: miniFLASH product)

[James Hrubik]

Sort of along the lines of what I was thinking.

Just measured a Downland cartridge : outside 3 x 4-1/16 x 7/8 (76 x  
108 x 22 mm).  Slot for board is 2-3/16 wide (55 mm).  Board is 1/16  
thick.  Depending on your mount position and independent of the  
thickness of the case, top of board is mounted 5/8 (16 mm) from  
outside top of case and bottom is 3/16 (5 mm) from outside bottom of  
case.

1/8" Lexan would require a 1/16 spacer between the board and the  
bottom; too close, maybe.  Mounted from the top of case like the  
Downland board, would require a 1/2" (12.5 mm) standoff with 1/8"  
Lexan.  Side strips could be 5/8" wide, and with a little glue, you  
could have a totally enclosed clear plastic case for cheap.

I probably have enough old scrap storm windows to make several dozen,  
but it would cost a minor fortune to obtain the necessary round tuit.

Now there is a wild idea : has anyone repacked a CoCo in a clear  
glass case?  Gene -- have you ever welded glass?

On Sep 11, 2013, at 1:07 AM, Andrew wrote:

> What about this?:
>
> Rather then laser-cut a metal case and bend it, what if you  
> (someone - not me, too many other projects, this is an idea for  
> someone who knows what they are doing) created a DXF or some other  
> CAD file (or even a PS/PDF) that could be sent to a laser cutter  
> (or a company that laser cuts), and have the cutter cut out flat  
> pieces of acrylic (1/8 inch would be ok).
>
> Have holes cut/drilled (by the laser cutter again) to mount a PCB  
> with the edge connector, as well as holes for "standoffs" for the  
> PCB and for connecting a "top" and a "bottom" plate.
>
> Sure, it'd be open with all the electronics exposed, but who really  
> cares? It'd look all the more cooler, right? Add some LEDs to light  
> it up!
>
> Include a PDF or such of a double-sided PCB (edge connector, and  
> strip-board traces or something?) that can be printed and toner- 
> transferred (or UV etched); maybe eagle-cad (or better, some open  
> format - kicad or something?) for a PCB - something you could send  
> off to a company to have printed.
>
> Dump it all into a ZIP file and stick it somewhere. If you need a  
> cartridge, send the files to the appropriate places (send the laser- 
> cutter files to one company, and the PCB files to another - or etch  
> your own PCB).
>
> Such a case/PCB combo would be fairly cheap; only those that want  
> it would need to grab and print it, and no one would be stuck  
> trying to sell something not many people want or need.
>
> The only problem here is finding someone willing to make the files  
> and test them out. If I had the time and/or skills, I'd do it  
> myself. We all probably have all the measurements, cartridges (for  
> examples), etc; hmm - can we crowd-source this in some manner?
>
> Just a thought I'm tossing out there...
>
> Andrew L. Ayers
> Glendale, Arizona
> http://www.phoenixgarage.org/
>

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