Another Proposed Minimig Production run.

[whiteb]

Hi all,

I am currently doing some sums and stuff for a proposed production run.

Now, as I am located in Melbourne (Australia), I am searching for the member here that also lives in Melbourne, who was Interested in a Minimig but had Surface mount skills.  He did state that in a post, but I cannot find the Damned post. (Can you contact me dude, if you remember who you are ?)

I initially wanted to just do one for myself, but if i do a MAJOR run, i can get a *SIGNIFICANT* discount.

I was thinking of running off say 50 1.1 units, 25 Fully made up with *ALL* components (Currently costing up, and if the dude in melbourne contacts me, thats for PCB and components soldered), and 25 bare boards.

I suggested 25 boards populated, as that is about my limit I can go with my finances and ordering the FPGA etc to populate the boards.

I have to admit I am not a person who can solder (american "SODDER") surface mount components, but can do through hole quite fine.

Maybe if Demand is bigger, I might increase to a larger Bare PCB run.  I appreciate Xennep's position, but if the demand is there, maybe a 100, or 200 production run.

Remember, Numbers, more I can stack up in one order, the BIGGER discount I can get.

So get filling up this thread, and I will attempt to try to keep a log of who, and how many.

[whiteb]

Well, If I can get a PCB run to about 100 Pieces, I can get a Bare PCB for about 5 Euro's, instead of about 60 Euro *EACH*.

Going from 100 to 200, the cost per piece drops again.

We also get a choice in the run, for the Silkscreen (The Resin layer that protects the traces), of Dennis's Green
red
Yellow (Mellow Yellow :>)
Black
Blue
white

[whiteb]

Rough Figures so far are aiming at the PCB, Ram, FPGA, CPU, Pic microprogrammer etc, all the Surface mount chips is currently aiming at around the 45 quid mark, about AU$100.

Thats not including the Connectors and stuff.  And thats with a bulk purchase quantity of 25 of each of the above components.  Thats also just the Board with Components at cost with the Bulk discounts applied.

PS2 connectors about $2 each, VGA Right Angle Dsub is about $10.
RS232 Dsub is about $4
Joystick ports are about $8 each

Havent yet costed the MMC connector.

PCB Only, is looking (if the quote figures are correct) possibly as low as 5 Euro (Plus postage) (*IF* i can get the bulk numbers).  As I have explained previously in PM to someone, I will not go ahead and order 200 Pieces, if 150 of them sit in the cupboard gathering dust. (And that is what is stopping other people doing production runs).  one single board at $60 is *CHEAPER* to one person than $500 sitting in the cupboard.

[whiteb]

thanos wrote:
Hello,

I'm sure its been explained before but...

What other skills/tools are required to get this project off the ground?

FPGA needs to be flashed correct?
How is this accomplished, place a 1.3 rom on it?
Do I need a university degree?
 
I would be interested in an assembled unit, assuming no rocket science is required to complete the job.

Seems like a very cool project with lots of interested people!

The way it works, is when minimig boots, the PIC microprogrammer, accesses the MMC, and reads the core, and loads the Core into FPGA, The core is fired up and loads the Kickstart (Like any other amiga)into Ram.  Just a normal Kickstart is needed. (Which, unless you want me to bundle a kickstart license into the cost, is a WHOLE new Legal minefield).  You can "Dump" a kickstart from an Amiga the same as you would for WinUae. (unless you have Amiga Forever, where you have already purchased a copy of the Kickstart images).

The core and stuff is stored on the MMC, along with the ADF's of the games.

Surface mount soldering is *ALOT* more difficult than Through Hole Soldering (Which I can do).

[whiteb]

Well after looking at the chip specs, (Spartan) the pins are *EXTREMELY SMALL*, like a 0.3mm pin.

Unless I can find someone local to me who would be willing to do the soldering for like a board and parts to their own minimig, I am not going to undertake Populated boards.

And by the looks of it, people want populated boards, not Bare PCB.  Knowing my luck, a $35 chip goes pop because I cannot see or fix a solder short.

[whiteb]

downix wrote:
This shows a few methods for working with SMP coponents.  I use the "toaster oven" method myself.

Yeah I read about that, but I do not think the wife will be happy with me Hacking the Toaster oven.

[whiteb]

JimS wrote:

So you need a PIC programmer too. Have the binaries for the PIC and the other things that go on the SD card been posted, or do you need to get the compilers?

Dennis' Website.

http://home.hetnet.nl/~weeren001/

[whiteb]

Well there is DEFINATELY the Interest for a Fully pop run, but the FPGA is 3x3cm, with 52 pins a side.  An electrical Engineer friend in perth (Other side of Australia, says the chance to Kapput a chip is high.. and i dont want that risk.

[whiteb]

Alright guys.......

You want costs........ (And I expect some of you will pass out).

a PCB, fully populated with *JUST* the surface mounted components, thats FPGA, Ram, CPU, Pic controller, Serial driver, 74HC4060,Capacitors and Resistors. component cost included (SUPPLIED) is US$105.  Included is the AU$25 for someone here *PER BOARD* to professionally solder the components.

What remains (cost will be on top), is all the through hole stuff, all the connectors (PS2 x2, Video, RS232, Joystick ports, MMC, power, Reset button, and Menu button).  But I suspect thats something a blind monkey can solder with a 25,000 volt welding unit. (Joke).

So those who wanted US$30 fully populated, i can only say LOL

Anyone not unconscious, Let me know.

[whiteb]

nBit7 wrote:
If the qty is high enough I am willing to wave solder the TH stuff for a good price.

Wave soldering is not exactly Ideal for Surface mount (From memory), Okay for Through Hole.  The solder wave would wash the components off, especially when you have a multiple (Dual) layer board, and the miniature size of the components in question. (SM Resistors, Transistors, IC's and Capacitors).

[whiteb]

tonyyeb wrote:

Hello? In my post i asked for the cost fot a company to do all the assembly, pcb manuf etc... Is this the cost for YOU to do it? If so then DUH! Of course it will be mega expensive.

Fine, I'll fold this project then, and leave it to getting a professional all in one run then.

I won't lose any sleep.