Prototype Casing

[vaspot]

Anyone happen to have a source for prototype cases, for electronic products?

I need a case that'd be as close to the old TRS-80 Model 1 keyboard case as I can get.

Now that brings back memories! You might check the Old Computers Forum just in case. They might be able to help you if no one is able to help here.

[pps.llc]

Wow, thats a tough one....

As an FYI, here is what they looked like.
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/...asp?st=1&c=409

Here are some keyboard cases from OKW, but a little too modern
http://www.okw.co.uk/products/okw/keyboard.htm

And here are some in aluminum
http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg16.htm

Those are the closest I am aware of. You could probably dig through the lists of enclosure outfits on EITD. http://www.eitd.com/ and see if anyone has such a thing.

I think it will be hard to find an old one to canabalize due to the collector nature of the TRS-80, but you never know. Someone might have a bunch of old parts. I'd be tempted to have one vacuum formed as it would be pretty cheap, but the TRS-80 case was injection molded, and thermo forming won't get you the nice profiles, and the secondary machining could be a pita. If you have a cad drawing, maybe a quote from protomold is in order, although I don't know if they can make them that big. http://www.protomold.com/

Good luck
Ron

[vaspot]

Ron, THANKS! I didn't mean that I specifically wanted THAT enclosure. But I wanted a prototype enclosure similar to that. I'm associated with some pretty smart design types. But they're absolute morons when it comes to prototyping & manufacturing LOL .. but so am I!

[Quintin]

sorry, Capt...can't help you on this...but,yes, yes, I do remember the TRS - 80...We were taught computer literacy on that computer in the eight grade.....then, years later, after i was out of high school, i bought one at a church rummage sale...man, i thought i was on top of the world!! i took it home, but i couldn't figure out how to use it productively!! i ended up selling the darn thing for same price i got it.