Archive for the ‘Current Project’ Category

SolidWorks learning curve worth it!

Posted: 12/14/2012 in Current Project, General News
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In the two days since I’ve sat down and forced myself to learn SolidWorks 2012, I’ve got to say that I’m exceptionally excited with how the results are progressing. I’m still in the infant learning stages when it comes to being proficient with this at all, but the example above shows just how nice this system works.

I’ve been concentrating on adding my components into SW and making sure everything is accurate and then once those are complete, I’ll work on how to use the Assembly feature in SW which actually allows you to assemble your project in a virtual environment using the components you designed individually. The above pic is a pretty close representation of a Game Cube D-pad. No perfect, but close enough to work as place fillers for the actual systems I’m working on.

Anyway, this was just a quick update as to how that’s going and I’m quite happy!

Controller #2 cut and looking beautiful

Posted: 12/10/2012 in Current Project, General News
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Not sure why I didn’t think of this method before as its simplicity is only over shadowed by its brilliance! By simply painting the casing a different solid color from the base material and then engraving it, the effects really just “POP” out at you! Though this was slightly misaligned, the effects still came out acceptable and I’m quite happy to move on to the next stage with this. This is also the first time I’ve ever used Blue as a color and I’m quite pleased with the turnout.

SNES-001 Advance II controller one complete

Posted: 12/07/2012 in Current Project, General News
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It’s been nearly a month since this project has had anything done to it other than moving it from one place to another in my shop as I updated that. Now that that project is nearly complete, I decided it was testing time for the nearly completed controller.  All in all, I like very much how this came out utilizing my first attempts at homemade circuit boards and CNC machining.

Though I did have to make a few adjustments with the homemade controller board, as in ripping it out and putting the official SNES controller back into it, I still can’t complain much. I will be hopefully starting the second controller shortly and will make every attempt to get this finished before the holidays! This will be for sale too and there will still be a bit of time to get it out for Christmas so if you are looking for that special gift for the retro geek in your family, send me a message!

As for now, enjoy the video and check out the build logs on the MBB forums! More info there as always!

First SNES-001 Advance II controller ready for testing

Posted: 11/08/2012 in Current Project
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Though I agree this does in fact look quite like a chaotic mess of wires and breadboard, it hides the simplicity of the whole project very well. But for a project that’s already been done, there are many unique “firsts” for me this time around. This is the first time that I’ve ever used custom PCB’s in a project, much less boards I’ve cut myself. Along those lines this is the first project I’ve cut the vacuum mold out via CNC and made all the cuts and engraving via the same method. This is the first project I’ve ever used CAD programs on for that same reason. Also this is the first time I’ve ever tried to make my own controller using nothing but micro chips and resistors.

With so many firsts though, naturally come many unknowns. Where this will all end up is a mystery but I’m sure by keeping to the basic principles of process, I’ll be able to make this work the way I need it too. Anyway, just a quick update as to where I finished off for the weekend and where I’ll be picking up next week. Been a busy day today as far as traffic is concerned and I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to check out my work.

Remember, please subscribe to the blog (in the sidebar), my You Tube channel (in the sidebar too) or become a member over at MBB so you can keep up with all the new and exciting developments from all our members!

SNES-001 Advance II moving along

Posted: 11/08/2012 in Current Project
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A couple months ago I was approached by an eBay user via email who was interested in the original SNES-001 Advance I finished earlier in the year. Although I had sold it private sale after the bidding ended, he was interested in having me make another for him in time for Christmas. But, this deal appears to have fallen through, but I’d already got so far into it, I decided to keep going and I’ll throw it up on eBay when it’s complete.

This system though is going to be vastly superior to the other in almost every way as not only have the controllers been cut using my CNC machine, but the way the signals are being broken out to the controllers is greatly improved and requires no modding at all to the system. Also I’m using all custom cut PCB’s which really gives the original feel of the systems controller and is super strong as far as actual structural integrity is concerned.

But I’ve got many plans ahead for both this and my main project which I’ve been working on for about 3 months now. More on that as I get closer to actually developing it into a physical prototype. As for this project though, I’ve started up a build log over on MBB. Please feel free to give it a view for a bit more detail on the build and where it’s going. That’s all for now!

GeneBoy Reloaded Complete!

Posted: 08/23/2012 in Current Project, General News
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Wow, been a busy day and at the end of it all is a nice, sleek looking portable! This certainly turned into a project that was a bit more involved than I was hoping for, but nevertheless, I’m 100 times happier with the outcome of this one than the first version.

Everything from internal layout and external handling has been altered and for the better. You can check out the full work log here over at MBB or you can watch the video at the end of the post to get a feel for how this all came together.

So, with that out of the way, I redid this so I could sell and not feel morally guilty about it! It’s still not perfect, but it is something I’m proud of. Let me know what you think of you’re interested in this! $225 shipped is what I’m asking which considering there’s about $180 worth of parts alone and 25 hours in just this version, that’s not a very steep price. hehe.

Well, have many other projects to attend to! Hope you enjoy!

Original GeneBoy Video

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