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.

[InTheSand]

Aha.... A potential source of Minimigs from this end of the world!

Depending on price, I'd probably be interested in one or two...

Good luck, hope you do manage to produce some!

 - Ali

[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

[thanos]

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!

[McVenco]

I'm on the other side of the globe but count me in for one. No wait, make that 2 or three. I'd like to do different case mods with them :-)

As for the other question stated above: what exactly needs to be done after the board has been completely assembled? e.g. Does the FPGA still need to be programmed, and how can that be done?

[doghouse]

I will be intestered in a complete built minimig system depending on the price! Is it possible for less than GPB£50 ?

How much will just the board cost?

Please PM me!!

Good luck with the project!

[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).

[Everblue]

I want a pre-assembled, pre-soldered, everything complete minimig!

[Shamus_]

Everblue wrote:
I want a pre-assembled, pre-soldered, everything complete minimig!

Me too. If it comes assembled and works out at AU$100-$150 or so, put me down for one.

[motorollin]

Please put me down for a complete MiniMig if you do a production run Good luck!

--
moto

[maffoo]

I would definitely be interested in a pre-assembled board.

[fatboy]

Hi!,
    I have a PC shop in Kent (UK) called Geeko's and would be VERY happy to showcase a finished Minimig for all to see (well...all who can get to Kent!) and play on!

I specialise in a bit of 'retro' on the side and remain an Amiga nutter! (7 A1200's, 2 A600's, CDTV, 12 A500's and more on their way!!!!)

I would love to sell a 'finished' product (even only for a 'tiny' profit) and have looked at EFIKA and others.....the jury is out on those?

Something, small, neat, and sits under the TV, with access to the Amiga games libary? WOW yes please!

[Chubbyrain]

I'll take one, maybe two fully populated boards.

Good luck with the project!

[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.