Romox cart shell model (for FlashROM99)

[dphirschler]

Even though I have a FinalGROM99, it always bothered me that my FlashROM99 has been without a shell since I got it.  So I have spent the past week designing an test-printing a cart shell for my FlashROM99.  The board is an odd shape.  No mounting hole, and quite long.  It does not fit a standard TI cart shell (properly).  But I remember someone discovered it fit quite nicely into a Romox cart shell.  Unfortunately, those are sort of rare and nobody wants to sacrifice a Romox cart for the FlashROM99.  So here we are. 

In this thread I will document my triumphs and failures designing and printing a Romox-style cart shell for the FlashROM99.

 

A couple of notes:

- I could still use some good measurements or additional photos of actual Romox cart shells.
- I plan to put the stl files on Thingiverse once I am done.

 

Current state:

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by dphirschler

[dphirschler]

These are photos I scoured from the Internet.  The most useful one was the side view, even though the thumb is partially obscuring the back edge.  Also the one showing it cracked open was very useful.  The real sad thing is I used to have both "Anteater" and "Princess and Frog", but I sold them years ago.  So lacking real measurements, I was forced to estimate dimensions using actual TI cartridges and these Romox photos.

[dphirschler]

This photo shows my first test print of  the bottom shell.  It proves the PCB perfectly fits the shell and is secure.  But I had not yet worked out how the shell will snap together and stay closed.

 

The next image shows the notches I designed into the bottom shell for a slide/snap enclosure, along with a screw hole in the front of the shell.  It's difficult to see, but there are notches at the front as well.

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by dphirschler

[ti99iuc]

I find it is a fantastic result dphirschler! 

Nice job! 

[dphirschler]

This image shows the corresponding hooks on the top shell.  What is also visible are several other details including:
- a rectangular notch on the underside to accomodate the large IC chip.
- a hole for the RESET button.
- a 3mm hole for the LED which widens to 5mm because the top of the LED actually touches.
- four snap-off supports to aid in printing.
 

[dphirschler]

There are 39 grooves on the back part of the Romox shell.  I reduced it to 35 for my model.  I also do not emboss the Romox logo on the top shell.

 

The next image shows the button "hat" which presses on the actual button on the PCB.

 

The third image shows the rounded back edge of the cart shell.  Although the shell works without it, the rounded edge helps push the flap open on the TI cart slot.

[dphirschler]

Here is the nearly finished prototype.

 

At this point I had not designed the front hook that help keep the front tight on the left and right edges.  There was only a center screw holding it shut in the front.

Also, the bottom side had some problem with it curling up slightly as it is printing.  Still trying to solve that issue.

[dphirschler]

And now, I have designed a few improvements into the shell, but I want to hold off printing another shell until I get some accurate measurements from an actual Romox cart shell.  Maybe I can use this time to design a nice label.

Speaking of labels, I chose not to wrap the label around to the underside of the shell.  I mean anyone could make a label that wraps over onto the bottom, but I am not cutting a groove for it.  It would make the bottom shell print awkward.

[ti99iuc]

Man, you are an artist! Damn! 

[GDMike]

1 hour ago, ti99iuc said:

Man, you are an artist! Damn! 

Speaking of art .. can you help with a supercart 8K and 32K version label for us.. that way I can add labels to my new SC carts...

Looking for something flashy with reds And yellow not sure what it looks like though..

[dphirschler]

Here are two label variants I made.  Which looks better, black or green? 


And I added text to the edge.

 

Darryl