Designing an enclosure for RhoCoCo - Revision history

Mahjongg: /* This is a page about the design of an enclosure for the RhoCoCo Retro Home-computer */

2019-01-24T12:22:11Z

This is a page about the design of an enclosure for the RhoCoCo Retro Home-computer

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:22, 24 January 2019
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	== This is a page about the design of an enclosure for the RhoCoCo Retro Home-computer ==		== This is a page about the design of an enclosure for the RhoCoCo Retro Home-computer ==

			Main article is here: https://revspace.nl/Designing_the_RhoCoCo_Retro_Home_COlor_COmputer_hardware

	Initially I thought that the simplest solution would be to have the keyboard and motherboard on the same "plane", like the ZX80 and ZX81, and simply mount both on a plank of wood. I even considered using a single PCB for both, just like the ZX80/ZX81, but then the PCB would have become about three times larger, and all of it would be a dual-sided PCB, where I was convinced that the keyboard could be routed on a much cheaper single sided PCB. And like my ZX81+35 ZX-81 clone they could connect together with simple angled pin-header connectors (male and female).		Initially I thought that the simplest solution would be to have the keyboard and motherboard on the same "plane", like the ZX80 and ZX81, and simply mount both on a plank of wood. I even considered using a single PCB for both, just like the ZX80/ZX81, but then the PCB would have become about three times larger, and all of it would be a dual-sided PCB, where I was convinced that the keyboard could be routed on a much cheaper single sided PCB. And like my ZX81+35 ZX-81 clone they could connect together with simple angled pin-header connectors (male and female).
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	Otherwise I have to design the case so that the holes are open on top, so that I can "drop-in" the PCB. But as I said that means the shape of the two case halves will become a lot more complex.		Otherwise I have to design the case so that the holes are open on top, so that I can "drop-in" the PCB. But as I said that means the shape of the two case halves will become a lot more complex.


	== 15 december, 2018 corrected 3D preview of keyboard with data from gerber files of keyboard PCB ==		== 15 december, 2018 corrected 3D preview of keyboard with data from gerber files of keyboard PCB ==

Mahjongg: /* January 17, 2019 checked 3mm wood thickness combined with 5.8mm high brass standoffs */

2019-01-17T18:45:13Z

January 17, 2019 checked 3mm wood thickness combined with 5.8mm high brass standoffs

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:45, 17 January 2019
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	To check if the keys with keytops are high enough when I use 5.8mm high brass spacers, and 3mm thick wood, I made this virtual detail:		To check if the keys with keytops are high enough when I use 5.8mm high brass spacers, and 3mm thick wood, I made this virtual detail:

	[[File:Rhococo keys detail, with 3mm thick wood.PNG]]		[[File:Rhococo keys detail, with 3mm thick wood.PNG\|500px]]

	As you can see the height is fine, even when the button is pressed (left button is virtually pressed in above detail).		As you can see the height is fine, even when the button is pressed (left button is virtually pressed in above detail).

Mahjongg: /* 8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate */

2019-01-17T18:44:21Z

8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:44, 17 January 2019
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	[[File:RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard.PNG]]		[[File:RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard.PNG]]

	== 8 ~~January~~, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate ==		== January 8, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate ==
	I imagined that the top plate could be made curved, with slits cut into the wood, and updated the 3D picture to an impression of how such a wooden enclosure could look like		I imagined that the top plate could be made curved, with slits cut into the wood, and updated the 3D picture to an impression of how such a wooden enclosure could look like
	The picture on top, now shows this 3D impression.		The picture on top, now shows this 3D impression.
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	I also still have to find a solution that works for inserting the connectors, and switch, on the main PCB through holes in the back and the side. Perhaps I can make a cardboard model to check how to do this in practice. I tend to think the best solution is still to split the case in two halves so that the split-line runs horizontally through the center of the parts of the connectors that stick through the case, so you can lay the main-board in the bottom half, and cover the top half the protruding parts with the top half of the enclosure. This means more complexity in the design, but is probably the only acceptable way to do it, without using separate plates, or over-sized holes. Especially the protruding switch might become a problem.		I also still have to find a solution that works for inserting the connectors, and switch, on the main PCB through holes in the back and the side. Perhaps I can make a cardboard model to check how to do this in practice. I tend to think the best solution is still to split the case in two halves so that the split-line runs horizontally through the center of the parts of the connectors that stick through the case, so you can lay the main-board in the bottom half, and cover the top half the protruding parts with the top half of the enclosure. This means more complexity in the design, but is probably the only acceptable way to do it, without using separate plates, or over-sized holes. Especially the protruding switch might become a problem.

			== January 17, 2019 checked 3mm wood thickness combined with 5.8mm high brass standoffs ==
			To check if the keys with keytops are high enough when I use 5.8mm high brass spacers, and 3mm thick wood, I made this virtual detail:

			[[File:Rhococo keys detail, with 3mm thick wood.PNG]]

			As you can see the height is fine, even when the button is pressed (left button is virtually pressed in above detail).
			As you can see the keytops now have rounded edges, like the real ones. The main picture of the page is also updated with these softer keytops, although the difference is small, it still looks nicer, and more "real". Unfortunately I see no way to put any text on the 3D rendered keytops, but I'm still happy with how this 3D rendered preview looks.

	[[Category:RhoCoCo]]		[[Category:RhoCoCo]]

Mahjongg at 10:27, 9 January 2019

2019-01-09T10:27:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:27, 9 January 2019
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	\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG		\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG
	\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer are finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a case out of laser-cut wood, with a slanted keyboard (C64C style) and curved top made by cutting slits in the wood so that it becomes bendable.		\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer are finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a case out of laser-cut wood, with a slanted keyboard (C64C style) and curved top made by cutting slits in the wood so that it becomes bendable.
	\|Status=~~Initializing~~		\|Status=In progress
	\|Contact=Mahjongg		\|Contact=Mahjongg
	}}		}}

Mahjongg: /* 8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate */

2019-01-08T23:18:06Z

8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 8 January 2019
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	I imagined that the top plate could be made curved, with slits cut into the wood, and updated the 3D picture to an impression of how such a wooden enclosure could look like		I imagined that the top plate could be made curved, with slits cut into the wood, and updated the 3D picture to an impression of how such a wooden enclosure could look like
	The picture on top, now shows this 3D impression.		The picture on top, now shows this 3D impression.


			Note that this preview assumed that the default thickness of the wood was 2.0mm, it isn't! The default is thickness is 3mm! This affects the design of the enclosure, especially things like how deep the keys stick out above the top plate when using 5.8mm brass spacers, but also other dimensions, like how much connectors stick out, and the bent ratio of the curved sections.

			I will make the necessary changes to the virtual keyboard design.

			I also still have to find a solution that works for inserting the connectors, and switch, on the main PCB through holes in the back and the side. Perhaps I can make a cardboard model to check how to do this in practice. I tend to think the best solution is still to split the case in two halves so that the split-line runs horizontally through the center of the parts of the connectors that stick through the case, so you can lay the main-board in the bottom half, and cover the top half the protruding parts with the top half of the enclosure. This means more complexity in the design, but is probably the only acceptable way to do it, without using separate plates, or over-sized holes. Especially the protruding switch might become a problem.



	[[Category:RhoCoCo]]		[[Category:RhoCoCo]]

Mahjongg at 18:36, 8 January 2019

2019-01-08T18:36:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:36, 8 January 2019
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	\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo		\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo
	\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG		\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG
	\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer is finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a case out of laser-cut wood, with a slanted keyboard (C64C style).		\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer are finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a case out of laser-cut wood, with a slanted keyboard (C64C style) and curved top made by cutting slits in the wood so that it becomes bendable.
	\|Status=Initializing		\|Status=Initializing
	\|Contact=Mahjongg		\|Contact=Mahjongg

Mahjongg: /* 8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate */

2019-01-08T18:34:54Z

8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 8 January 2019
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	== 8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate ==		== 8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate ==
	I imagined that the top plate could be made curved, with slits cut into the wood, and updated the 3D picture to an impression of how such a wooden enclosure could look like		I imagined that the top plate could be made curved, with slits cut into the wood, and updated the 3D picture to an impression of how such a wooden enclosure could look like
			The picture on top, now shows this 3D impression.

Mahjongg at 18:34, 8 January 2019

2019-01-08T18:34:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 8 January 2019
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	\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo		\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo
	\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG		\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG
	\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer is finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a case out of laser-cut ~~plastic~~, with a slanted keyboard (C64C style).		\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer is finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a case out of laser-cut wood, with a slanted keyboard (C64C style).
	\|Status=Initializing		\|Status=Initializing
	\|Contact=Mahjongg		\|Contact=Mahjongg
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	A side view of it was generated, and that looks like this:		A side view of it was generated, and that looks like this:

	[[File:RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard.PNG]]		[[File:RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard.PNG]]

			== 8 January, 2019 imagined a wooden case with curved top plate ==
			I imagined that the top plate could be made curved, with slits cut into the wood, and updated the 3D picture to an impression of how such a wooden enclosure could look like

Mahjongg at 14:11, 21 December 2018

2018-12-21T14:11:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 21 December 2018
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	\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo		\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo
	\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG		\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG
	\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer is finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a ~~simple rectangular~~ case out of laser-cut plastic.		\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer is finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a case out of laser-cut plastic, with a slanted keyboard (C64C style).
	\|Status=Initializing		\|Status=Initializing
	\|Contact=Mahjongg		\|Contact=Mahjongg

Mahjongg at 14:10, 21 December 2018

2018-12-21T14:10:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:10, 21 December 2018
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	{{Project		{{Project
	\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo		\|Name=The design of an enclosure for RhoCoCo
	\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D ~~full~~ preview rendering with ~~red enclosure~~.PNG		\|Picture=RhoCoCo 3D preview rendering with slanted keyboard 2.PNG
	\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer is finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a simple rectangular case out of laser-cut plastic.		\|Omschrijving=Now that the "motherboard", and the keyboard of the Retro Home Color Computer is finished, it is time to think about the various options for its enclosure (case). Here is one option, a simple rectangular case out of laser-cut plastic.
	\|Status=Initializing		\|Status=Initializing