Help Fund the Amiga 4000 Replica Project! - Page 4

Magic · 01 May 2018, 00:58

@Mr.Flibble
This is great! Thank you for doing this and for making it available

Mr.Flibble · 01 May 2018, 11:48

No worries - I've just about finished the updated version where the pegs are separated from the cover, so the printing direction can be optimised for strength. I'll upload it once I've had a moment to check the test print.

Acill · 15 July 2018, 06:56

This is it! This first views of the now completed A4000 Rev B layout! I'm going over it and will soon ask for feedback on this. Please remember this is in Mentor Graphics PADS and requires the viewer from them if you want to see it yourself. It's free from them. This is amazing work! The pcb database file is located in the layout folder at the Github here: https://github.com/Acill/A4000RevB

I've put a lot of time into this and want to thank everyone that donated to make it possible. Very soon now the data to allow new boards to be manufactured will be posted on the Github as well. For those that have access to the full version of Mentor Graphics PADS you could take the info in the Github currently and export it to Gerbers, but I ask that you wait for the final versions to be announced after its verified completely. These are the completed project files though now unless errors are discovered.

Steve · 15 July 2018, 08:01

That is some awesome work right there Acill. Well done and congratulations! Excellent job!

Acill · 16 July 2018, 02:49

One more quick update on the 4000 Rev B project. The FINAL review is done and checks out. I have uploaded the new file in the layout folder at git hub. Also uploaded is a zip with Additional outputs included. These have been translated from the original PADS database so use them at your own peril.
The Altium file looks good. Supposedly Eagle will import an Accel ASCII database but my first try was not successful. The file does not look correct. Worst case, those that know what to do can import the Gerber and recreate the database from it. Eagle just does not have a good importer at this time.

I will not be supporting design changes in anything other than the PADS database. The Altium and Eagle outputs in the additional outputs zip is just something I have had done as a thank you. I do believe the free version of Altium called Circuit Works? will import the Altium data. This would be the best way to go for those looking to get a good alternative to PADS.

Narf the Mouse · 20 July 2018, 00:32

I've got a big, happy grin thanks to finding this.

Acill · 23 July 2018, 09:39

A sneak look at the first prototypes being shipped out to me July 24th!!!

kolla · 23 July 2018, 10:00

So cool, excited to see it running in a few weeks

ReadOnlyCat · 24 July 2018, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by grelbfarlk

Not to mention, I doubt Commodore auto-routed the board back in 1991, the original was probably hand routed.

They used auto routing at least to setup the ground work for the main busses and big interconnections, there is really no point in tracing those paths manually when even the dumbest auto-routing will save you hours with these parallel simple paths. Moreover, editing tools back then were much more primitive than what we have now.

PCB engineers usually use a mixture of auto and manual routing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbtorro

And his board is manually routed which is basically a different layout than the original, and it's unknown if it was done considering EMI elimination, noise, crosstalk, correct ground plane design, signal propagation etc.. There is much more to PCB layout than just connecting pads and vias, it's a whole science in itself.

Dave Haynie has mentioned in several interviews that they used to have EMI issues when designing A3000 or A4000 boards and that noise is always something to take into account when designing PCBs so yup, C= did run into these issues and fixed them even back in the day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acill

[...] you could take the info in the Github currently and export it to Gerbers, but I ask that you wait for the final versions to be announced after its verified completely. These are the completed project files though now unless errors are discovered.

Great effort!
And do not worry, there will be errors, there always are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolla

So cool, excited to see it running in a few weeks

Most likely it is actually going to bug and fail in a few weeks, this is what tests runs are for.

The issue with hardware is you are never sure it works until you build it and verify. For complex projects, most of the time one will find plenty of errors which were overlooked in previous stages, that is perfectly normal.

Acill · 27 July 2018, 03:47

Very true, but fingers crossed that all the simulation runs and testing the schematics to the actual board have paid off. The one thing we had an advantage of here was this board is a clone of one that works currently. We can test all the traces and signals to a real board and verify it at least digital with a good chance a real new produced board will pass as well. Thats going to start when I get home on the 5th of August. I have two others building boards as well in this run.

Acill · 08 August 2018, 15:05

Some some good looking boards here!

jotd · 08 August 2018, 23:38

2018 is an awesome year for the amiga. It seems that every year brings some new stuff that wasn't possible before. Far fetched and you did it!

Magic · 09 August 2018, 03:41

Awesome! What else can I say

Hiddenevil · 09 August 2018, 09:27

Currently restoring a 4000D, this looks great!

I hope all your efforts result in a working board!

Acill · 15 August 2018, 03:15

Boards are working and I have listed a small batch for sale on ebay. If interested they are here. I will have more in the coming weeks and will keep a stock of red ones on had. The ones listed currently are black with gold plating.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Amiga-4000-...B/173472223520

grelbfarlk · 15 August 2018, 04:03

Good job Acill. It's very nice that there is a source for replacement PCBs at a very affordable price.

Acill · 30 October 2019, 04:19

Another beutiful A4000 completed. This one is done for myself and will be my personal machine.

saimon69 · 30 October 2019, 06:57

this is a bit OT: I know that has been said that funding a new batch of the original chipsets production is very expensive, however i wonder how much and i wonder if the demand is enough - also with all those replica projects around i bet a non small amount of people would love to have a full machine; has an estimate ever been stated?

Acill · 30 October 2019, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by saimon69

this is a bit OT: I know that has been said that funding a new batch of the original chipsets production is very expensive, however i wonder how much and i wonder if the demand is enough - also with all those replica projects around i bet a non small amount of people would love to have a full machine; has an estimate ever been stated?

Newly made versions of the original design wont happen. They are no longer built this way in modern chip factories. The only way that would happen is if someone bought old equipment, got it working again and re spun all the chips. We are talking millions of dollars just to start.

What is happening I have seen is the code is being done for alternates in CPLD chips. It requires adapters or new boards to fit them, but they are being made. I think some info on Amibay has mentioned it.

lesta_smsc · 30 October 2019, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acill

Another beutiful A4000 completed. This one is done for myself and will be my personal machine.

Fantastic. I love seeing these 'fresh' boards with all populated components. Just how it would have been decades ago when the original boards left the factory!

Great work!

23 July 2018, 09:39	#67
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	A sneak look at the first prototypes being shipped out to me July 24th!!! Attached Thumbnails

08 August 2018, 15:05	#71
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	Some some good looking boards here! Attached Thumbnails

15 August 2018, 03:15	#75
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	Boards are working and I have listed a small batch for sale on ebay. If interested they are here. I will have more in the coming weeks and will keep a stock of red ones on had. The ones listed currently are black with gold plating. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Amiga-4000-...B/173472223520 Attached Thumbnails

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
CU_AMiGA's Amiga 4000/Pentium PC Hybrid Project	CU_AMiGA	Hardware pics	25	23 February 2022 09:56
Financial Fund London Amiga or PC	runandbecome	Amiga scene	8	30 September 2016 00:44
Is Indivision AGA MkIIcr compatible with Video Toaster 4000 in a 4000?	pgovotsos	support.Hardware	0	07 January 2016 05:26
CU_AMiGA'S Amiga 4000/PC/3DO Hybrid Tower Project	CU_AMiGA	Hardware pics	7	13 April 2011 11:52
Amizilla Fund closes in on almost $9000 in donations; first one that donates and gets	Pyromania	News	0	11 January 2005 11:00

01 May 2018, 00:58	#61
Magic Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 359	@Mr.Flibble This is great! Thank you for doing this and for making it available

01 May 2018, 11:48	#62
Mr.Flibble Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: UK Posts: 472	No worries - I've just about finished the updated version where the pegs are separated from the cover, so the printing direction can be optimised for strength. I'll upload it once I've had a moment to check the test print.

15 July 2018, 06:56	#63
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	This is it! This first views of the now completed A4000 Rev B layout! I'm going over it and will soon ask for feedback on this. Please remember this is in Mentor Graphics PADS and requires the viewer from them if you want to see it yourself. It's free from them. This is amazing work! The pcb database file is located in the layout folder at the Github here: https://github.com/Acill/A4000RevB I've put a lot of time into this and want to thank everyone that donated to make it possible. Very soon now the data to allow new boards to be manufactured will be posted on the Github as well. For those that have access to the full version of Mentor Graphics PADS you could take the info in the Github currently and export it to Gerbers, but I ask that you wait for the final versions to be announced after its verified completely. These are the completed project files though now unless errors are discovered.

15 July 2018, 08:01	#64
Steve I Identify as an Ewok Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Lincolnshire Age: 45 Posts: 2,356	That is some awesome work right there Acill. Well done and congratulations! Excellent job!

16 July 2018, 02:49	#65
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	One more quick update on the 4000 Rev B project. The FINAL review is done and checks out. I have uploaded the new file in the layout folder at git hub. Also uploaded is a zip with Additional outputs included. These have been translated from the original PADS database so use them at your own peril. The Altium file looks good. Supposedly Eagle will import an Accel ASCII database but my first try was not successful. The file does not look correct. Worst case, those that know what to do can import the Gerber and recreate the database from it. Eagle just does not have a good importer at this time. I will not be supporting design changes in anything other than the PADS database. The Altium and Eagle outputs in the additional outputs zip is just something I have had done as a thank you. I do believe the free version of Altium called Circuit Works? will import the Altium data. This would be the best way to go for those looking to get a good alternative to PADS.

20 July 2018, 00:32	#66
Narf the Mouse Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver Area, Canada Posts: 136	I've got a big, happy grin thanks to finding this.

23 July 2018, 10:00	#68
kolla Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,893	So cool, excited to see it running in a few weeks

27 July 2018, 03:47	#70
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	Very true, but fingers crossed that all the simulation runs and testing the schematics to the actual board have paid off. The one thing we had an advantage of here was this board is a clone of one that works currently. We can test all the traces and signals to a real board and verify it at least digital with a good chance a real new produced board will pass as well. Thats going to start when I get home on the 5th of August. I have two others building boards as well in this run.

08 August 2018, 23:38	#72
jotd This cat is no more Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: FRANCE Age: 52 Posts: 8,160	2018 is an awesome year for the amiga. It seems that every year brings some new stuff that wasn't possible before. Far fetched and you did it!

09 August 2018, 03:41	#73
Magic Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 359	Awesome! What else can I say

09 August 2018, 09:27	#74
Hiddenevil Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 237	Currently restoring a 4000D, this looks great! I hope all your efforts result in a working board!

15 August 2018, 04:03	#76
grelbfarlk Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,902	Good job Acill. It's very nice that there is a source for replacement PCBs at a very affordable price.

30 October 2019, 04:19	#77
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	Another beutiful A4000 completed. This one is done for myself and will be my personal machine.

30 October 2019, 06:57	#78
saimon69 J.M.D - Bedroom Musician Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: los angeles,ca Posts: 3,516	this is a bit OT: I know that has been said that funding a new batch of the original chipsets production is very expensive, however i wonder how much and i wonder if the demand is enough - also with all those replica projects around i bet a non small amount of people would love to have a full machine; has an estimate ever been stated?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)