Posts Tagged ‘CNC’

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.

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Commission’s Keeping Me Busy

Posted: 10/07/2012 in General News
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Sorry again for nearly another 10 days between posts. I’ve been sick, busy and making a lot of progress all at the same time. Still fine tuning the skills of the basic CNC work, but as you can tell I’m starting to get the hang of it. What would have taken hours to do, now cuts out in a matter of minutes, however the free time is eaten up by the design work that is required. I’ve come to realize that what will make you good and fast at cutting is how intimate your knowledge with CAD is. It’s getting there, but still has a ways to go.

The above pic is the case I cut today for Nintendork from the MBB forums. Though I’m not sure if this is the case I’ll send because of the fact that I messed up a bit with the D-pad and had to FrankenCase in a replacement because I of it. This has caused a lot of sanding and I think I might just order in another case and save this one for a different project. Still deciding but we’ll see how the finished product looks and if it’s no good than I’ll get another case for it.

I’ve also made a lot of progress with Tchay’s casings and the first one will be on it’s way to Hollywood CA, on Tuesday.

All in all that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing but there is a lot more on the way so stay tuned.

Getting up to speed

Posted: 09/29/2012 in General News
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Wow, 10 days without a post. Sorry about that, there has been a lot going on! So everyone knows what’s up, I’ve been in the process of working on 3 different jobs all at once, though a majority of the time has been spent on the PCB and case design of the SNES-001 Advance II which I should be officially starting this week.

Basically I’ve been putting a lot of time into playing with CAD and in doing so, also getting the component outlines and measurements into the computer for future use. Every drawing I do now has some form of base component, like D-pad and tact switch holes which I can use for future designs without actually spending all the time to design them from scratch.

Currently I’m in the process of cutting out a test template for Jonathan Shine for his Envision clones. This will allow him to get the feel for the placement of the buttons and give him time to make some changes before we vacuum form and cut the casings for real.

Nintendork is shipping the components for his portable N64 to me today and I’ll be cutting and assembling that for him in the next couple weeks or so.

As mentioned before, I should be in contact with the potential buyer of the SNES-001 Advance II in the next few days and once that get’s rolling I’ll start up a work log topic over at MBB. This will be a far superior system to the original as the new equipment I have to work with allows that.

I’ll keep you updated and hopefully more than I have been recently. Oh, you should check out the video to see a funny oops. Still learning and I’m glad this happened on a test piece!

Professional Vacuum Former Started!

Posted: 03/31/2012 in Current Project, General News
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Over I’d say the past few months I’ve been in the planning phase of a new vacuum forming machine to replace my home brew version that I’ve been using the past few years. Though it works and for one-off casings, it suits the purpose. However there are many flaws in the system and is quite tedious when making multiple casings.

This new design is going to be a combination of many successful home-made vacuum former styles and designs as well as taking a few professional styles and incorporating the principles of those into the unit. It’s going to be made up of mostly aluminum and MDF for main body, but is also going have some advanced control mechanics like Pneumatic cylinders, range selection and a new type of vacuum table that may change the way home-made vacuum formers a thought of for new builders.

Now I don’t have the skills or the tools to be building such a machine, but being in my line of work, you meet people who do and once you find one that is all about these kinds of projects and is willing to help out because he too would have a use for the machine, well that’s an opportunity I can’t pass up!

Jon Seik, part owner of a machine shop called [Complex Mold & Machine] in Holderness, NH is helping/pretty much doing this project for me, but I’m sourcing and paying for all the material to build it. The good thing about having his help is this project is getting drafted fully in a CAD program and will be cut and built using CNC machines. Far more precise than anything I could have done on my own by a very long shot. Good thing too, as our vacuum table will have to be custom drilled and by the looks of it, there’s going to be almost 1200 holes to drill! Good luck doing that by hand, yeah…NO!

But I say we have another week or two in the planning phase with this, still a lot of work ahead of us with the heat box especially, but we’re making progress and acquiring parts on a daily basis. Stay tuned because this project is going to be one of the coolest I’ve ever participated in!

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