Retro64
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From: denard.springle on 16 Apr 2006 23:05 Howdy Folks, I can't remember if I ever released this before or not, so forgive me if I've already posted this once. In any case, I was cleaning out my computer today and ran across my (almost finished) design for a replacement Commodore 64 computer case. Have a check of the images of this design at: http://users.rcn.com/vsgcom/retro64 (http colon slash slash users dot rcn dot com slash vsgcom slash retro64) The design was done with Solidworks 2005 and the files are in that format and available at: http://68.178.187.58/retro64/retro64.zip (http colon slash slash 68 dot 178 dot 187 dot 58 slash retro64 slash retro64 dot zip) I had a paper prototype made of this design to test for fit before I went any further and as I recall there were some changes needed to be made (keyboard cutout as I recall). Anyway, costs for production of this are tens of thousands of dollars for molding alone - would be possible to do these in short-run's (i.e. low volume production - several shops in the US and UK specialize in this) for a lot less - if anyone has a CNC machine and an injection molder in their garage they could make them easy <g>. Anywho... Some specs: I extended the case by 3/4 of an inch on the left to accomodate a fan and switches for kernel, reset, the fan and lights. Additions to the original case design include removing the air vents from the top of the case (where many a soda/coffee has been known to spill <g>) and putting them on the sides instead (which had the additional effect of illuminating the surrounding desktop from the internal lights (think XPS Gen2). Another neat effect would have been produced from the C= symbols at the bottom front of the case, thereby illuminating little C='s in front of the computer (with lights inside, etc.). Other changes from the original include rounding off all the edges - especially where air enter/exits the case (to eliminate most of the dirt build-up, hopefully) which also gives it an overall smoother appearance. Only exception to this is where the top and bottom edges of the case meet. Left to be done... Adjust the keyboard cutout (I think I was off by about an 1/8" somewhere) and add posts for the keyboard. Add studs for the case to screw into the front and some sort of clip design for the back (like the original case) and possibly alignment edges like the original case. Finish the board mountings - dimensions there are estimated. And, finally, add some sort of mounting for internal lighting (was thinking of using RGB LED's with some pots to control the color (cheap method), or some interface from the C64 to PDIP pots (more expensive) - or just using some widely available PC style tubes). I think that's all I had left to do, but you may find other things to tickle your fancy. Not sure how many other engineers you may have in this group (didn't stick around long enough to find out <g>) or friends of friends of friends that are engineers but figured I'd put it out there just the same. That being said... I, Denard Davis Springle IV, while owning and maintaining the copyright of the Retro64 design hereby grant the rights to use, modify, manufacture, distribute, copy and/or profit from this design in any fashion to any person, group or company so long as a notice of copyright is clearly indicated in any use thereof. In short, I release this design into the public domain. Anyway, enjoy. -- Denny
From: a7yvm109gf5d1 on 17 Apr 2006 15:57 I just finished working on something like that, we used a STL prototype first to check things out. Those you can get done for about 500$ here in Canada. Of course it's about as robust as a wet lollipop.
From: denard.springle on 17 Apr 2006 20:19 Hehe... yeah... the paper one cost me about the same here in the states. I briefly thought about investing in a home-grown CNC and el cheapo injection molder if only to have them around for the many other projects I seem to get myself into from time to time with friends, but even then it was around $15k just to get the basics and just not worth the investment for me I'm afraid :( I thought about building my own equipment too, but lost interest quickly - too many pans on the fire as it is ;) I did find a chinese manufacturer in Hong Kong that was willing to make these cases incredibly cheap (about $3.00 per unit) but they too wanted around $13k for the mold - that's pretty much where I decided to stop working on it heh... it was fun to design though and I enjoyed giving the C64 a 'face lift' as it were... perhaps somebody will find it usefulless <g>.
From: Leif Bloomquist on 17 Apr 2006 23:20 Hey, that's very cool. Thanks for sharing. It would work for a VIC-20 as well, right? I remember seeing photographs from one of these Euro demoscene parties recently, and someone there had created a new *transparent* plastic case for his 64. It was an exact copy of a 64C case though, so maybe he was able to save some costs by just copying. It was a one-off though. Unfortunately, I've forgotten all the details about which party or where to find pics. Anyone else recall this? Regards, Leif
From: Simon Scott on 18 Apr 2006 07:26
denard.springle(a)gmail.com wrote: > Hehe... yeah... the paper one cost me about the same here in the Got photos of the paper one? Would be interesting to see! :) |