23 Apr
2011
23 Apr
'11
7:59 a.m.
Scans are easy, and I plan on submitting a full set to
Bitsavers. But I am
looking to go beyond that and provide >Gerber and drill files so that
anyone can have real boards made. Ideally I want these to resemble the
original boards >as much as possible, flaws and all.
I don't think this is a "sane" (in the lack of a better word, sorry if
you find it annoying or offensive) way to reproduce a classic computer. Of
course, a bona fide reproduction would be nice, but what about a
reproduction not so perfect but electrically identical? I think it would be
an easier way of doing that
BUT (and there is always a but) you can reproduce these boards at home,
using toner transfer, if you have the proper scanned PDFs, no need for
gerbers/drills. Thats an interesting point of view.
You also have to remember that when these boards were
originally designed,
there were no PCB CAD programs >available. Everything was laid out with
tape and mylar on a light table. You could redraw them using todays PCB
There is ONE autorouter that does that, but I don't remember the name
now.
layout tools and the result would be electrically
correct but they would
be far from accurate reproductions. I've already received one quote from a company in
Florida. They want a
little over $1800.00 per board to do the >work. I also know about Mile
High. That is the outfit that did the reproduction work for Grant
Stockly's kits. Still >waiting on some more quotes...
I'd happly do that at home for half the price :oP