+scorpio_ny Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 12 hours ago, flemingt said: Sorry for dropping off the face of the earth. I knew work was going to get busy so I was eager to solder the switches. I just spent some time this morning testing out the keyboard pcb, and it works! The connection is a bit ghetto at the moment but I'm happy. Next step is to do about more CAD for the space bar stabilizer. Move some of the holes relative to the metal backplane a fraction (though I may not use them for mounting). I think I'll try recommission my FDM printer and make some of the adaptors so I can get a feel for the keycap height relative to the chassis. Last thing to do, when it's all buttoned up will be to desolder the keyboard ribbon connector and put some headers in its place. Hey @flemingt! Welcome back! This looks really good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Oh by the way, what connector are you using to connect the keyboard PCB to the 800XL motherboard? I have been looking for a connector so I can finish a project that I am working on and I cannot source a connector that would work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 I'm just using header pins for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted March 19, 2022 Author Share Posted March 19, 2022 21 hours ago, mytek said: My mom's name was also Helena. She was from what used to be called Czechoslovakia, was deported to Germany following WWII, and met my dad when he was stationed there with the Air Force. She passed away in 1994. My grandma Helena also has an Eastern European heritage (and hence have I). Her grandfather was born in what is now called Wrocław in Poland. He went westward. Married a girl in Wiesbaden, Germany, and then went to Amsterdam. A son was born in 1881. He married a Dutch girl, and "begot" a daughter that was Helena 21 hours ago, mytek said: Keyboard project is looking really nice ? Absolutely! ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 My printer is really fighting me, but I did manage a rough switch. It fits pretty well on the keycap, though I'd like it to be a bit more snug. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 Hi @flemingt, It looks pretty good! It was the same with me when I printed the stems. It was even more loose when I used a 0.2 mm nozzle on my printer. I also had stringing too and just cleaned it up a bit. I wonder how the tolerances will be if someone prints these in a resin based printer? This is really good stuff! Looking forward to seeing the keycaps on the keyboard! Getting closer! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 I thought I'd give a small update. I've been prototyping a method of attaching the keyboard to the case. It's a bit rough and ready at the moment... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted March 30, 2022 Author Share Posted March 30, 2022 12 minutes ago, flemingt said: I've been prototyping a method of attaching the keyboard to the case. That looks like a 3D printed bracket, right? Pretty good! How sturdy is it if you start typing on the keys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 (edited) It is 3D printed. There's definitely flex, but I know how to resolve that. The most important thing I've been working on is alignment with the existing case holes, getting the angles right, and some clearancing. I'll figure out heights etc once the concept is finalised. Edited March 30, 2022 by flemingt Added picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 1 hour ago, flemingt said: I thought I'd give a small update. I've been prototyping a method of attaching the keyboard to the case. It's a bit rough and ready at the moment... It looks good! One question: would one be able to install the new keyboard with the shielding still in place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 2 minutes ago, scorpio_ny said: It looks good! One question: would one be able to install the new keyboard with the shielding still in place? Just to put it out there... the metal shielding is only needed if you are going to use the RF output. If you plan on going composite or S-Video it's actually better to leave the shield off for better heat dissipation from Sally, Antic, and GTIA all of which get pretty warm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 15 hours ago, mytek said: Just to put it out there... the metal shielding is only needed if you are going to use the RF output. If you plan on going composite or S-Video it's actually better to leave the shield off for better heat dissipation from Sally, Antic, and GTIA all of which get pretty warm. Hi @mytek Thanks for that info! I have a desire to keep some of my computers as close to stock as possible and I want to see if I can use this a drop in replacement (on ones that I have modded, I have removed the shielding). I believe that on some variants of the 600XL/800XL keyboards with a metal plate, the shielding also acts as ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted April 3, 2022 Share Posted April 3, 2022 Unfortunately so as to not have the keys proud of the case my guess is that the RF shield will have to be removed. I've pretty much got the X Y positioning of the keys correct, there is some work to do on Z, but it's pretty close. I've also redesigned my U1MB bracket to try cheat some space, but it looks like I'll have to relocate the battery holder. Ignore the wiring on the underside of the keyboard, I need to redo later. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 Test assembly. Decided to make adaptors for the switches instead of new stems. It looks pretty good all things considered. I'm doing a bit of work on the space bar stabilizer and how to stiffen the PCB. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 Looks pretty good! I have a couple of questions: 1. How are the heights of the keycaps in relation to the case compared with the original? 2. Are the keycaps secure enough this way? 3. Will you be going forward with printed switch adapters instead of printed stems going forward? Printing adapters would probably be easier since one does not need to modify the key switches and would be easier to print. Also, would be easier to make adapters for the other keyboard variants as well instead of creating a stem for each type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 Heights are pretty much per original kb. I printed the adaptors in standard PLA and the keys don't budge, the fit is good. I think the stems, whilst a good idea are a bit of a dead end with the printer I'm using. I wanted to make a bit more progress so these will suffice rather than going resin. Other adaptor types should be pretty easy to knock up with a few iterations. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 Proto space stabs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 This is how I intend to stiffen the keyboard. They work great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 On 4/9/2022 at 1:59 PM, flemingt said: Heights are pretty much per original kb. I printed the adaptors in standard PLA and the keys don't budge, the fit is good. I think the stems, whilst a good idea are a bit of a dead end with the printer I'm using. I wanted to make a bit more progress so these will suffice rather than going resin. Other adaptor types should be pretty easy to knock up with a few iterations. This is great! As time goes on, it is harder and harder to get keyboards (or parts to repair the keyboard). For example, I have one set of of this style of keyboard that I could not use because it is missing the springs for some of the keys. Not only that, one can customize the feel of the keyboard by using different types of cherry style switches. Not bad for a nearly 40 year old computer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Thanks. I'm quite happy with progress so far. I've updated my github with the latest revisions of everything. I need to work on the spacebar stabilizer holders next, the feel of the keypress isn't very satisfying. I am having second thoughts on how wire it up to the mainboard, I might design a small thin daughterboard to go into the standard mylar connector. It'll have to be very low profile to fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I am not sure if you have seen it, but there is a thread of a similar project here on Atariage that was done for the 130XE that had some designs for a daughter card for the keyboard connector. I had built the keyboard for that project and for me, the connector was the stumbling block (too big to fit for one the versions of the connector). Maybe this can give some insights for your project. Here is the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted April 14, 2022 Share Posted April 14, 2022 I'd seen the project, buti think I'll try design something just to get more familiar with kicad. Board mount space-bar stabilizer clips are finished since yesterday evening, so it looks like this interface PCB is the last big piece. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 (edited) My interface boards came, hopefully this weekend I can finish off the project. Edited May 17, 2022 by flemingt Fat fingers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flemingt Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 Well, I think I'm done. Theres good clearance between the bracket and interface board. I wound up just soldering to the interface board itself as the Dupont connectors were dodgy. I just need to stick down the relocated U1MB battery, or mod one of the 3D printed brackets to accept it. All buttoned up now and works great. I'll update the files on the github over the coming days. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+scorpio_ny Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 15 minutes ago, flemingt said: Well, I think I'm done. Theres good clearance between the bracket and interface board. I wound up just soldering to the interface board itself as the Dupont connectors were dodgy. I just need to stick down the relocated U1MB battery, or mod one of the 3D printed brackets to accept it. All buttoned up now and works great. I'll update the files on the github over the coming days. This looks great! I really like that PCB connector also solves a problem of finding a connector that interfaces with the stock motherboards. I am really looking forward of doing this project! I want to take a moment thank @ivop and yourself for all the hard work and effort into working on this project! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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