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JoOngle
Regular Member
Joined: 25/07/2020
Location: SwedenPosts: 82 |
| Posted: 08:28pm 09 Sep 2020 |
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Hi dear CMM2 fans.
I've been secretly working on a design that I hope will be to your Retro Tastes.
The design is heavily inspired by our childhood classic computers such as the Commodore 64, Atari, Amiga, Spectrum, Dragon 32 and many more.
What do you think?
Looking forward to hear from you all. |
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mclout999
Guru
Joined: 05/07/2020
Location: United StatesPosts: 492 |
| Posted: 08:38pm 09 Sep 2020 |
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Price point and WHEN dude!!!! If this is just a mock up there may be trouble!!!. You know human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass histaria!!! (please tell me some of you get this reference). But. YAH I WANT ONE SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!!
Edited 2020-09-10 06:39 by mclout999
They call me Shai-Hulud (The maker) |
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HellbentHorse
Regular Member
Joined: 08/07/2020
Location: AustraliaPosts: 55 |
| Posted: 08:39pm 09 Sep 2020 |
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That looks fantastic!
I had recently been looking at ways of potentially fitting a CMM2 into a 87/88 key mechanical keyboard but this is much more appealing. Great job.
If this was to go to production, personally I would want to opt for a standard US QWERTY based keyboard layout (which I assume would just be a case of changing keycaps perhaps?). Having a more compact version would also be awesome (87/88 key - no num pad).
Tonnes of potential, love the look  |
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Seamus
Newbie
Joined: 18/08/2020
Location: United StatesPosts: 13 |
| Posted: 08:46pm 09 Sep 2020 |
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That looks fantastic!
I have been toying with potential designs myself, for when my CMM2 kit ships/arrives, although I've been working around a 10-key-less keyboard design, since I figure I probably won't be looking to do a lot of pure numeric entry on the machine.
One of my front-running ideas is somewhat similar to this, as the step-up case design is a bit of a call-back to my first computer.
VERY nice, clean design you have there!
[Insert clever signature here] |
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JoOngle
Regular Member
Joined: 25/07/2020
Location: SwedenPosts: 82 |
| Posted: 08:46pm 09 Sep 2020 |
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It's designed by me from the ground up. Great details have been taken to make it fully board compatible with the colour maximite production version. The SD card is sorta retrofit with the slanted PCB board. USB will be routed to the back, there's space for fitting units like WiFi (ESP 8266 units etc.) and whatever you can come up with.
It's based on a Corsair Mechanical keyboard, so it's fairly straighforward.
You can swap keys as you please.
If I see enough interest in this forum, I might throw up a Kickstarter for it, A prototype (3d printed) is required to apply for a kickstarter (a fully functional unit). It's also Preliminary so improvements will come.
I have sort of the idea of the price point, I think if we get enough people to sign a pledge to buy, the first units (excluding the colour maximite itself, which most of you already have, it can be fitted snugly via screws right into the unit itself) will probably be around 200$ - Depends on the keyboard price, and the plastic mold.
*Oh yeah, I nearly forgot - the reference you pointed to was Probably Ghostbusters, the first movie*
Edited 2020-09-10 06:49 by JoOngle |
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RetroJoe
Senior Member
Joined: 06/08/2020
Location: CanadaPosts: 290 |
| Posted: 09:55pm 09 Sep 2020 |
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That's really nice work - would definitely want to be in on the production run.
Edited 2020-09-10 07:57 by jpusztai
Enjoy Every Sandwich / Joe P. |
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HellbentHorse
Regular Member
Joined: 08/07/2020
Location: AustraliaPosts: 55 |
| Posted: 10:30pm 09 Sep 2020 |
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+1 from me. Sign me up for a production run. |
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mclout999
Guru
Joined: 05/07/2020
Location: United StatesPosts: 492 |
| Posted: 12:06am 10 Sep 2020 |
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Will it expose the GPIO on the back of the unit? I would suggest that it go to the bottom with a cut out for a ribbon cable to come out of it. It would be more sleak but not more convenient. The GPIO could be a deal breaker for many.
They call me Shai-Hulud (The maker) |
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datawiz
Newbie
Joined: 10/08/2020
Location: United StatesPosts: 26 |
| Posted: 03:03am 10 Sep 2020 |
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Count me in for one! |
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berighteous
Senior Member
Joined: 18/07/2020
Location: United StatesPosts: 110 |
| Posted: 05:42am 10 Sep 2020 |
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Sweet. Do you have any experience in manufacturing such a case? |
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JoOngle
Regular Member
Joined: 25/07/2020
Location: SwedenPosts: 82 |
| Posted: 02:33pm 10 Sep 2020 |
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Thanks for the feedback fellow CMM2 enthusiasts! Much appreciated.
I also showed off the CMM2 at our corporate work today, to those I know love retro stuff, a couple of people there too showed interest in it, I think we're up in a 12 total now who has shown interest, not bad for day 1 - keep them coming people, the more of you who are actually interested in a look like this to become a reality, I'd need to have 100+ that have shown interest before I submit the prototype to Kickstarter, and then we will take it from there.
@MClout999 - it will have a mounting section for an ADD ON PCB where you can put the I/O. This is practical for several reasons, every CMM2 owner is different, and everyone have their own idea how to use it - someone will never use it at all, but there will be mounting screw extension holes inside the case so people can mount their OWN ADD ons inside the unit, after all - that's the purpose with having a roomy case for the entire setup, so you have space for ALL of your projects, as well as a "thru passage for a 40 pin connector on the back. I will probably make that a "Punch-out" punch, so if you don't need it, leave the plastic in place, if you need it, just push it and there will be a 40 pin hole section (plus the mounting holes for your own PCB to mount a 40 pin connector there.
I will not add extras like an 40 pin extension kit, because that will only add to the costs of everyones Colour Maximite 2 retro computer kit, not everyone need it, but at least it'll be an option for everyone!
@Berighteous - not in injection molding cases, I am however the designer of the Retro Computer style chassis you see in the images, and it has been designed in a way to make it easy for the manufacturer to INJECTION MOLD the entire case, I have extensive experience with Designing in 3D, also worked with overseas manufacturers realizing products for leisure like merchandise production (I've been working for sub-licensed partners for large companies like Carlsberg, Post Nord, Dong Energy and many others and helped design and produce their products from IDEAs to the finished actual product. So I know a little about the process.
I also have an extensive collection of 3D printers, so I've made a LOT of cases for small electronics gadgets over the years, this has afforded me knowledge on how to make the manufacturing process smarter cheaper and often "screwless" designs in order to save on the production costs.
There are several advantages with a "standarized" casing like this, a lot of you are capable electronics designers, and since the entire project of CMM2 is basically Open Design for anyone to improve on, this case will be excellent for BIGGER PCB's and add-ons. This could very well become a seriously extended computer with sound-chips, wifi, HDMI adapter built right in (providing we find the right chip for the right price), RF-modulator add on for the "retro feel" and use on older televisions etc. Plenty of possibilities here!
So the more in here that show interest - the more you spread the word, and the faster we reach 100+ who is willing to eventually stand behind a pledge, the more chance there is for this to become a reality!
My intention is NOT to go commercial with this (although I have to, if you guys make this real with me, for legal and protective reasons). I do not intend OR even expect to make any money on this, to be perfectly clear - I'd just be happy as you to see this become an unique computer that we - the community - built together. If it becomes a bigger thing, we'll take it from there.
Edited 2020-09-11 00:38 by JoOngle |
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RetroJoe
Senior Member
Joined: 06/08/2020
Location: CanadaPosts: 290 |
| Posted: 03:57pm 10 Sep 2020 |
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JoOngle, a few questions/suggestions:
1) Given your not-for-profit motives, is it feasible to make your design available as an STL file for people to print on their own? I have an ancient (e.g. 5 year old) entry-level 3D printer, but am looking for an excuse to buy a modern, large-volume one :)
2) Vis-a-vis the I/O pins discussion, I’m thinking a rendering of your proposed back panel would be helpful. Obviously, the keyboard connection would have to route inside the case, so how do you plan to route the VGA outside the case? Would using this case require desoldering all the on-board connectors and LEDs?
3) Judging from the location of the power and SD activity LEDs, I’m assuming the answer to the previous is “yes”, in which case the solution to the I/O might be to provide punch-outs for 3 or 4 DB-9 (or similar rugged ) connectors that people can wire up as needed for various control applications. In other words, unlike the “expansion connector” in 8-bit computers that exposed all the CPU data and address lines, in a microcontroller-based design there is rarely a need to use all I/O signals at once, and ruggedness and reliability is usually more important than flexibility.
Enjoy Every Sandwich / Joe P. |
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djwildstar
Newbie
Joined: 29/07/2020
Location: United StatesPosts: 24 |
| Posted: 05:45pm 10 Sep 2020 |
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Looks great! |
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frnno967
Senior Member
Joined: 02/10/2020
Location: United StatesPosts: 105 |
| Posted: 07:14pm 07 Oct 2020 |
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Jay Crutti: Ham Radio Operator, K5JCJ. Computer Enthusiast. Musician. Engineer. |
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