First Post, industrial design project

[First Post, industrial design project]

It needs a little adjustment but for a first try it isn't half bad! I usually need to do one or two more prototypes but I think I'll have it nailed next revision.

[First Post, industrial design project]

Hi guys,

 

Unfortunately, thanks to Presidents' Day, I won't be getting the prints until Tuesday.

 

So I was brainstorming during my drive to work, and I started thinking about standards. Is there a standard for the sizes of homebrew cartridges?

 

I have the dimensions from my TI cartridge. I haven't cracked open my Atari made cartridges, but since they're smaller, I don't see the point.

 

If there isn't a standard set of sizes, should we try defining one?

 

I had some rough ideas of how it might look...

 

1X = Fits a standard TI PCB (roughly 1 15/16" length and 4" width, not including connector)

1.5X = 1.5 times standard in length (so that'd be ~3" length and 4" width, since that dimension is maxed out)

2X = 4" x 4" in the same standard

 

And then a suffix could be added for alternate heights, maybe...

 

250 (1/4" above PCB...standard clearance)

500 (1/2" clearance)

750 (3/4")

 

So, I could design a case top that fits 2X750 PCBs, and you know exactly what you can jam in there.

 

So...whaddya think?

[First Post, industrial design project]

Welcome to the group! I like where this is going. There are some things I'd like to see created for the 99/4A that I just don't have the knowledge or talent to produce. I'm still dreaming of beige sidecar style cases for things that were never released as such, though the sidecars were made in a very small quantity. Perhaps if there are enough of us interested in such a thing we can all chip in for it. In any event, welcome! We are happy to have you here.

 

One of the ideas I had reading these discussions was a sidecar made for super catridges like Miner 2049er.

 

Anyway, here's a quickie Ten-Gallon Cart design... 5/8" longer and 1/8" taller. I haven't messed with the internals to hold it the pcb correctly yet though.

 

I do like the Romox look. Very Blade Runner-esque. I'll probably incorporate some of that into a final Jumbo Cart design.

[First Post, industrial design project]

Cool! Thanks Opry, I'll check those out. Now that I've figured out the critical dimensions (well, I mean I have the first draft of them) I can iterate them fairly fast.

 

I actually didn't realize there were already so many options. For my next project I'll try to do more research to make sure what I do is a little more helpful for the community.

[First Post, industrial design project]

Looks nice. Are you going to provide the files?

 

Sure! Here are the STLs as they stand. Of course, no guarantees, I haven't tested these guys yet.

 

Also, it doesn't include the sprung door yet either.

 

ti994a_cart.zip

[First Post, industrial design project]

Hi all

 

So, this is my first post. I recently got my TI-99/4a from my dad, who recovered it from the attic over Christmas. It was my first computer, and even though I didn't really appreciate it then (be easy on me, I was 4), I'm falling in love with it now.

 

I've been lurking, reading all the really cool stuff that everyone's been doing, like Erik's FPGA, Jon's carts and such, and I decided that maybe I could do something with my skills as an industrial designer and machinist.

 

So I whipped up this in my CAD program and I've ordered two prototypes to be printed. Hopefully they'll snap right together. The printing's a bit on the expensive side, so it might not be a great candidate for large number of carts, but I have always been interested in mold making...;P

 

Enjoy,

Will B.