Acrylic cover for Amiga 1000

[Rakeim132]

Hi Guys,

I've been working on an acrylic top cover for Amiga 1000 to replace the existing top cover.

We already have a prototype (see pictures), but we are going to amend the design to ease manufacturing (reduce costs) and also we will be designing a packaging so we can ship worldwide.

I'm in Australia but we are working from Europe, which explains why it takes a bit more time than I thoughts - also I want to deliver a product with great quality!

I'm originally doing this for me and for a couple of friends, for our GBA1000 which have all whistles and bells (TK060 @ 100 MHz, Picasso II, USB...), but if there are enough interest I will be considering a group sale.

Let me know your thoughts... and your interest!

01. Where the idea came from ?
From this picture taken during the 30 years Amiga Anniversary event in USA...



02. First 3D design attempts on Google Sketchup:
I wanted the cover to be fully functional, especially capable to hold a modern LCD monitor, so I added the retaining posts, and some stiffeners.



03. First prototype manufactured after I sent few original Amiga 1000 parts:
Still few adjustments to be made but the first trial is not too bad...



Edit -- We are now looking at simplifying the design in order to make the manufacturing easier, more repeatable, and increase the final visual quality of the product.

Another concern is risks of damages during shipment, so I'm working with a famous company to offer a great packaging solution, without too much jeopardizing the final cost of the project.

More details to come.

 

[Dragonheart]

Count me in.

 

[nevio76]

I'm there for the purchase, count on me, I'd like at least a couple (Two)

Nevio76

 

[Rakeim132]

Hello.
Thanks all for your feedback already.
This thread is to discuss the design, the intention, the aesthetic aspect, the technical solutions, but nothing else.
If you have ideas or suggestions, please discuss them in this thread.
Show me your machines! [emoji4]
IF we decide to produce more beyond our mini series on 10 currently agreed with the manufacturer (after we make some practical changes), THEN I will open a specific sales thread on the right Forum.
Thank you.

 

[JoeUser]

One thing you'll want to bear in mind is that the RF shield is a necessity for preventing interference to CRT monitors. That being said, most of the internals are basically hidden under that shield. That sort of makes the point of a see-through acrylic top unnecessary (for me). However, the added strength may be a benefit.

 

[intric8]

Declaring interest. I have a clear backplate that would pair up with this quite nicely.
My machine has a Rejuvenator in it - without the RF shielding - and I've never had an issue with the 1080 CRT above.

If I ever get to demo the machine again in a group setting, a clear top would be really nice to keep things safe and sound.
And it'd be ½ the distance to the entirely clear b/w Mac case out there.

(Holy smoke, if these were injection moulded...)

 

[m0c]

Following this thread with great interest

Show me your machines!

 

[Beska]

Very Interested in this.

 

[Rakeim132]

One thing you'll want to bear in mind is that the RF shield is a necessity for preventing interference to CRT monitors. That being said, most of the internals are basically hidden under that shield. That sort of makes the point of a see-through acrylic top unnecessary (for me). However, the added strength may be a benefit.

Well, firstly I have no more shields in my multiple machines and never noticed any interference ; the first thing to go when I refurbish a machine is the "shield" whic most of the time is rusty, ugly, and incompatible with new hardware and hacks.
Secondly the purpose of this project is to show the guts of a lovely machine (i.e. the GBA1000), so I will surely not install a CRT on top of it...

- - - Updated - - -

Declaring interest. I have a clear backplate that would pair up with this quite nicely.
My machine has a Rejuvenator in it - without the RF shielding - and I've never had an issue with the 1080 CRT above.

If I ever get to demo the machine again in a group setting, a clear top would be really nice to keep things safe and sound.
And it'd be ½ the distance to the entirely clear b/w Mac case out there.

(Holy smoke, if these were injection moulded...)

Thank you for your message, and yes for the interference (they exist only in the mind of some people).

If you have a clear backplate cut by PlexiLaser.de I also have one and I'm very disappointed by the quality... The dimensions are totally wrong (way smaller than the original in my case).

Well, injection molding is not on the menu unless people want to pay thousands of $$ and not tens... but I'm thinking about something for the signatures... I won't make any promise yet or disclose anything yet.

 

[Aeberbach]

Hey that is beautiful! Now I wish I had an A1000 even more...

What software are you using for your 3D design? I was really happy with Solidworks but they changed the license, now it's a cloud-only Maker license (like Fusion360) and is so slow it's unusable (like Fusion360). Have started to look into Alibre 3D, mid-priced as far as they go. I see Sketchup but probably you went to something else...

 

[Rakeim132]

Hey that is beautiful! Now I wish I had an A1000 even more...
What software are you using for your 3D design? I was really happy with Solidworks but they changed the license, now it's a cloud-only Maker license (like Fusion360) and is so slow it's unusable (like Fusion360). Have started to look into Alibre 3D, mid-priced as far as they go. I see Sketchup but probably you went to something else...

I'm using Google Sketchup. But the design is really simple so anything would do, really...
The main issue is to have a proper design of the environment (the Amiga 1000 surrounding parts and of the attachment interfaces on these parts).
Not having a 3D scanner is a problem for accuracy and that's why we are using the real parts for the final assembly...

- - - Updated - - -

... And my machine, which will receive this cover.
Credit to GSeb for the assembly of this wonderful masterpiece of Amiga.

 

[RetroPanic]

Very cool, Would like to Show my A1000 in Shows With this case :bounceBoingBall::bounceBoingBall:

 

[Twanger]

Yep, very cool!
I am very interested

 

[Evillord68]

Very interessting. I was Georg Braun´s Betatester for GBA1000 and all expansions.
That is exactly what i needed for the Amiga meetings, when i presented the GBA1000, because i had to open the Amiga 1000 many times because everyone wantet to see inside.
Good work.

 

[Rakeim132]

Very interessting. I was Georg Braun´s Betatester for GBA1000 and all expansions.
That is exactly what i needed for the Amiga meetings, when i presented the GBA1000, because i had to open the Amiga 1000 many times because everyone wantet to see inside.
Good work.

Thanks mate for the kind words.
With a bit of luck if I can complete this project you might have a chance to get one.

 

[Obraxis]

Looking forward to this, count me in also!

 

[signman]

Well if there is a list put me on it.

 

[bradpadgett]

add my name to any list as well. Excellant looking!!!

 

[Puppetmaster]

Declaring interest.
Compliment very beautifully implemented.
Provided that you should produce this acrylic sleeve, I would buy two pieces

 

[warr8or29]

that's a damn interesting project
you can count me in