Reproduction front panels and switch levers for PDP-8/E and M

Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 15:27:32 +0000 From: Jack Rubin <j at ckrubin.us> To: "Classic Computer List (cctalk at classiccmp.org)" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Reproduction front panels and switch levers for PDP-8/E and M Message-ID: <1409758047115.63856 at ckrubin.us> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I'm in the process of reproducing front panels for PDP-8/E and/or M machines, as well as switch levers for these machines and others that use the same shape but different colors (e.g. 8/L, 11/20). For the front panels, I'm working with a local (Chicago) silk-screen house to create the reproductions. At this point (still exploring final pricing), it looks like unit cost will be about $200 for a run of 5. This will most likely be a CNC cut acrylic panel (laser probably won't work because of the angled relief for the key switch) with silk-screen printing front and back. The panel shape is the same for E and M but the screens are quite different. I've also got a couple different M variations. Note that each panel requires five or six screens, including black masking on the back and transparent red or "frosted" masks for the indicator lights in addition to the three colors on the front. I'm not sure about possibly adding a transparent overlay (non-original) over the front silk screening to protect the final product. Please let me know your interest and thoughts about a protective overlay. For the switch levers, "phooky" from the NYC Resistors has done a 3D rendering - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:360853 - and printed prototype levers and mounting frames. Note that there are three renderings at the thingverse site - original lever, lever with improved pivot (metal pin) and bracket for attaching lever to available slide switch. Phooky has also printed up samples of these objects. The next step is to work on injection molding the parts. The Resistors have an injection molding setup and phooky is planning to create a mold using CNC equipment and his 3D renderings. There are several reasons for moving from 3D printing to injection molding for these parts. The first two, finish and mechanical strength, are slowly being addressed by improved printers but the third reason, color matching, is the critical difference. The front panel project is in progress and hopefully panels will be available in a few months. The switch project is very much exploratory with no promises or dates at this time. Comments please! Jack