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There are some things where 3D printing is not an option, especially oldschool wire wrap backplanes. If you can get a 3d printer to create a rig that can print
by Sanddancer 12y ago
There are some things where 3D printing is not an option, especially oldschool wire wrap backplanes. If you can get a 3d printer to create a rig that can print the functional equivalent of http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Computerplatine_Wire-wrap_backplane_detail_Z80_Doppel-Europa-Format_1977.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Computerp... , I will eat my hat.
- fennecfoxen 12y agoFunctionally equivalent? ... why couldn't you just design a PCB that's pinout-compatible?
- Sanddancer 12y agoParent had mentioned 3d printer. Of course using a modern pcb layout program would be the right tool for the job, as well as a good psychologist to deal with the madness that follows from tracing all those wires. Then again, I guess one could potentially rig up a program that took gerber files for a many layered pcb design and have it output a 3d model for forming a chunk of multilayer plastic circuit board. You'd need a printer that has multiple heads for depositing conductive materials though. I'd question its reliability in such an environment as an old mini though.
- kw71 12y agoSome boards like this were assembled with the help of CNC wire wrap equipment. I don't think they were fully automated - more like the computer positioned the tools for the operator. On a board with thousands of wires, this eliminated some operator error (he didn't have to follow a list of connections on a sheet of paper anymore.)