Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Mrs Beanbag on September 08, 2012, 08:35:25 PM
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I was looking at some spare A1200 cases on Ebay today and the idea struck me... I've been wanting to take up some kind of Amiga-related hardware project lately, but I don't have much experience with electronics (as much as I'd like to get into that) and so many of these projects seem to drag on forever and never released for sale. But cases, that shouldn't be so hard.
I wouldn't mind replacing my yellowing A1200 case with a brand new one - maybe even with some modifications. It would be cool to have a slimline CD drive in place of the floppy drive, for instance. It could even be made compatible with mini-ITX boards as well. And of course it could be made in any colour (personally I like white Amigas but I know that's not in fashion at the moment).
So I've been looking at companies that offer injection molding services. There are places that offer to do very short production runs, although I haven't inquired about the cost yet.
Would anybody else be interested in this kind of thing? If so what features or cosmetic changes would you like to see?
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I guess there might be legal concerns with the branding on the case, but I think there'd be a lot of people who'd love to get a shiny, new, grey case for their 1200 or 500.
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The Memotech mtx500 and mtx512 computers had metal cases, it may be cheaper to have a case made of metal than plastic, and it should not yellow with age like the plastic ones did.
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here is an attempt on something like that.
http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=35607&forum=33&start=200&viewmode=flat&order=0
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/8.htm
doesnt look much like amiga though, took ages and a lot of funds according to designer to get where it is, and still not ready. an standard atx/itx box with an a3k-4k style front would probably be easier.
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Yeah, kind of looks more like an Archimedes. I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks. The A1200 is that much different from the A500 but still recognisable on account of the keyboard, and the LEDs. Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird. And the drives are on the wrong side. Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now.
I'm pretty sure plastic should be cheaper than metal, but I'll see if I can get a quote. Also bear in mind that requirement #1 is that it's a replacement for original A1200/A500 cases (i.e. fits classic Amiga motherboards), not a new case for a standard PC mobo. Mini ITX/Flex ATX compatibility would be a bonus.
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I would buy an Amiga 600 case made of metal withouth hesitation. If there were 3D models available we could all just get or stuff made by local companies.
Who has the skill to made a 3D CAD file of Amiga computers?
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To get a good chassi you likely need a high pressure liquid plastic mould something that isn't a home product directly.
To refresh "old" plastic cases have a look at Retr0bright (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retr0bright).
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(It is kind of nice that the Amiga Technologies A4000T case was a standard AT case made by a company (Enlight) still in business.)
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Yeah, kind of looks more like an Archimedes. I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks. The A1200 is that much different from the A500 but still recognisable on account of the keyboard, and the LEDs. Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird. And the drives are on the wrong side. Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now.
+1
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Yeah, kind of looks more like an Archimedes. I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks. The A1200 is that much different from the A500 but still recognisable on account of the keyboard, and the LEDs. Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird. And the drives are on the wrong side. Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now.
I'm pretty sure plastic should be cheaper than metal, but I'll see if I can get a quote. Also bear in mind that requirement #1 is that it's a replacement for original A1200/A500 cases (i.e. fits classic Amiga motherboards), not a new case for a standard PC mobo. Mini ITX/Flex ATX compatibility would be a bonus.
Bin there done that. The first thing you will need is a CAD document to within 0.1 mm accuracy to supply to a company who does suitable injection moulding or custom plastic work. If you are making cases for X86 motherboards that look like Amiga exactly including keyboard you will also need to contact a manufacturer of bespoke design keyboards too and also redesign the original case to account for PC motherboard block type connector at the back and also work out how to cool a PC motherboard in that case and add some way of securing the keyboard to the underside of the top half of the case (best way is to do it just as the Commodore 128 or the 64C does really).
And then brace yourself for the costs they will quote you.
At this point you will see immediately why Commodore USA made one and only one bespoke computer that looks anything like the original model it was based on.
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Precision is critically important with this project. 3D printing would be another route, possibly cheaper than the injection molding option.
Things I think would be useful:
-Slot for slimline CD drive on left side of machine (others have carved holes for a drive here, so why not build one in?)
-Slot for CF card above PCMCIA port
-Cutout for USB ports
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Ive been thinking of this also, I would love an A1200 case, a bit higher for more room, maybe a bit wider on the left side for easier placement of more HDDs, for me it could be wide enough that the PCMCIA card just sticks out as on laptops (the the end of the card) so a bit space to take there.
If making them a bit bigger I would also love a slot for slim CD, space for cooling at expansion slot should also be nice.
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here is an attempt on something like that.
http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=35607&forum=33&start=200&viewmode=flat&order=0
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/8.htm
doesnt look much like amiga though, took ages and a lot of funds according to designer to get where it is, and still not ready. an standard atx/itx box with an a3k-4k style front would probably be easier.
Yeah that is my work. As I said on my webpage and youtube the X500 PLUS isn't really a replacement for the A1200 although it did start as one. :)
It's a tribute/homage to my first Amiga the A500 Plus and bits of other computers of that era.
It's taken me roughly seven years on and off (saved money and spent it on it) and it accepts:
x86 mini-itx and flex-atx boards (SAM boards for OS4 too)
2-3 SSDs or HDDs
it has an expansion slot for a PCI/PCI Express card (low profile)
Slim DVD-RW slot
3.5" slot
It's very light, aluminium and plastic.
It's slightly shorter and less wide than an A500 and its side view has the same angles of my A500.
I have finally finished a black version with various adjustments based on feedback received by members of amiga.org/amigaworld etc...(LEDs moved to the left, more airvents etc...).
I haven't hacked an A1200 motherboard in it yet but it "should" fit.
Photos of the final black prototype soon.
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@Mrs BeanbagYeah
"kind of looks more like an Archimedes."
Possibly but it's a tribute to the machines of that era, as you can read on my page, never said it was a replica.
"I think for me the Amiga's keyboard layout is a big factor in its looks."
True if I had designed a replica I would have used the Amiga's keyboard but since it's targeted to generic PCs and NG Amiga boards then it made no sense. It's a generic case with a retro look so it uses a good, generic, standard, chiclet, low profile keyboard.
"And the drives are on the wrong side. Never did much like those Mac-style keyboards either, but they seem to be the fashion right now."
"Not sure why he decided to put them in the middle, weird."
It's not weird at all. The x86 motherboards I have tested (with intel i3 cpu) and the SAM boards from ACube sit on the right because you use an ATX power connector, actually a picoPSU which is quite high, also there is (on the x86 mini-itx boards) at least 1 memory slot if not two like on mine, the height of the memory modules has to be cleared. The board on the right also allows to have the DVD-RW (Bluray) drive to be positioned on the left so when you use the mouse (generally with your right hand) it won't be in the way when you open the tray or access the 3.5" media reader. Had the LEDs been on the right they would have fouled the memory modules/PSU too.
The LEDs, on feedback received have been moved to the left now, another whopping £1800 worth of changes and prototyping. Bear in mind that apart from, screws, spacers, switch, rubber feet and keyboard, everything is CUSTOM made, LEDs window included.
I hope it's clear enough. :)
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As freqmax says Retr0bright does an excellent job of cleaning up yellowed Amiga cases.
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I forgot to mention, for the A1200 I would like to see space for an mediator and atleast one expansion card using a flexible riser cable.
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a black A1200 original case with a black keyboard is amazing
I will buy this immediately if some day is available
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i fear a wedge case with genuine key layout is quite an enterprise to undertake. remember it has apparently be major and financially most demanding task for cusa to deliver c64 case replica with a custom keyboard.
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I forgot to mention, for the A1200 I would like to see space for an mediator and atleast one expansion card using a flexible riser cable.
i cant picture how that might be possible without producing a bulky monster of a completely unergonomic design. even though i hate tower conversions i fear mediator will never fit into a wedge case and also it cost hardly justifies using it with only one card. for my part i consider mediator 4kdi the only worthy compact alternative that fits perfectly into a genuine amiga case without destroying it.
edit: except if someone did something similar like c128 -> c128d, which would be quite a pretty thing, especially the carrying handle.
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i fear a wedge case with genuine key layout is quite an enterprise to undertake. remember it has apparently be major and financially most demanding task for cusa to deliver c64 case replica with a custom keyboard.
Indeed, manufacturing a new keyboard isn't what I had in mind, but replacement keycaps could be do-able. I have black keycaps on my Amiga from an old keyboard I bought from a flea market for £1, it turned out they were exactly the same fitting! Except for the different shaped keys such as space bar, enter etc.. but we can't have everything.
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Yeah that is my work. As I said on my webpage and youtube the X500 PLUS isn't really a replacement for the A1200 although it did start as one. :)
It's a tribute/homage to my first Amiga the A500 Plus and bits of other computers of that era.
Hey, no need to get defensive, it's a cool project, just not the sort of thing I'm aiming for. Anyway looking like an Archimedes is no bad thing, I happen to think they are quite handsome machines.
I only intend to make a pure replacement wedge style case for A1200 with extra features. Looking recognisably like an Amiga is an explicit design goal.
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Indeed, manufacturing a new keyboard isn't what I had in mind, but replacement keycaps could be do-able. I have black keycaps on my Amiga from an old keyboard I bought from a flea market for £1, it turned out they were exactly the same fitting! Except for the different shaped keys such as space bar, enter etc.. but we can't have everything.
i think keyboard is the most demanding piece. if you use nos or a spare keyboard for your desig the corpus (at least the prototype) can be made using some sort of automated fabrication / 3d plotter. it could be affordable. but a volume production with injection molds could be quite costly.
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Hey, no need to get defensive, it's a cool project, just not the sort of thing I'm aiming for. Anyway looking like an Archimedes is no bad thing, I happen to think they are quite handsome machines.
I only intend to make a pure replacement wedge style case for A1200 with extra features. Looking recognisably like an Amiga is an explicit design goal.
I am not getting defensive I am just explaining the design and the way it looks and what it is trying to achieve. If I don't then people assume the wrong. The Archimedes? Are you sure the one with that horrible bump on the back?
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I'm thinking of the A3000:
http://www.retro-computing.org/exhibit-photos/243/lg__MG_5394.jpg
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I'm thinking of the A3000:
http://www.retro-computing.org/exhibit-photos/243/lg__MG_5394.jpg
Erm...not sure...what is that horrendous block at the rear? That massive step?
This is the X500 PLUS side view(ish)...
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/15.htm
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/18.htm
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I like the idea. It should be 100% compatible with the original motherboard, keyboard and floppy drive. The extra stuff: room for slim line CD drive, USB ports and CF-adapter.
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Could you use one of those 3D printers? They have made a lot cool things with those. Probably cost about $10,000 to get one.
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Could you use one of those 3D printers? They have made a lot cool things with those. Probably cost about $10,000 to get one.
They have one at Edinburgh Hacklab (they build it themselves), it's quite cool, but not big enough for a full Amiga case. It could manage key caps though, not a bad idea.
Also they have a laser cutter, someone recently made a Mini ITX case out of MDF with it!
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I'm thinking of the A3000:
http://www.retro-computing.org/exhibit-photos/243/lg__MG_5394.jpg
i actually like it, looks kinda classy, what age is t?
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i actually like it, looks kinda classy, what age is t?
That is from 1989. I quite like it myself, TheDaddy apparently doesn't though, oh well.
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3D printers are just not suitable for this sort of project, believe me I have investigated this thoroughly last year :)
If you committed to 1 million units sure it would be damned cheap to produce, but even $10 each x 1 million = 10 million dollars up front. If there was some radical new hardware to put inside the machine (like FPGA based 060 speed A1200 motherboards etc) cool but you would be hard pressed to sell 10,000 cases of a single design to our retro community let alone 1 million.
There are other options but you won't like them lol
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I just found this, is this anybody we know?
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1033104784&postcount=16