Molex78802 Module
This is a 3d-printable plastic carrier and matching empty PCB template to fit in the carrier, and both together fit in the option-rom socket in Tandy models 100, 102, 200, & 600. (and any other machine that has that same socket, such as Epson PX-4 & PX-8)
Pics: https://photos.app.goo.gl/stToXok3f2jYjbXd6
Source CAD files for both carrier and pcb: https://github.com/bkw777/pcb2molex8878
Carrier: Shapeways Sculpteo Thingiverse
To start a new PCB design based on this PCB template and carrier
- clone the git repo
- copy the PCB directory to a new directory named after the new project
- open the files in the new directory with kicad
Boards which use these
Variants
The OpenSCAD source file has options to generate these different versions of the carrier, and the PCB directory has matching PCB templates for each.
Chamfer
The "chamfer" version is the default version. REX, REXCPM, REX#, Teeprom, and Meeprom all use this version.
Polarity is provided by a small chamfer in one corner. This version is the most practical to make, because it's the easiest to clean up the panelization tabs and castellated edges by just laying sandpaper on a flat surface. There are no inside corners and no edges that aren't simple and straight. You clean up the panelization break-off points, and if necessary fine-tune the width or length, by just running the edges on sandpaper on a cutting board or other flat surface.
Bump
The main feature of the bump version is that it provides polarity with a bump that sticks out of one corner instead of a chamfer that cuts into one corner.
This allows the use of the full top-side dimensions of the pcb right into the corner. There are still two retainer snap wedges, each blocking 1x10mm of the top surface, and there is still a 0.6mm perimeter ledge all around the bottom surface. The pcb still exists in those areas, so traces can run there, just no components.
This version is a bit less convenient to build though, because it requires more finnicky manual care to clean up panelization break-off points on the end with the bump.
This version can also hold a plain rectangular pcb with no bump, it just won't have mechanically ensured polarity. But, if you were cutting a pcb manually with simple straight cuts instead of a cnc router, this would be a good version to use to hold it. Though, the chamfer version could serve even better, because you only need a few swipes on a sanding board to cut the chamfer into one corner of a pcb manually. It's a very small chamfer.
This version can hold an original REX (REX1), without losing any of it's original functionality, if you are willing to sand the edges of the pcb down a little. You just remove the ribbon and spacer material from the bottom, and sand all 4 edges down equally until it fits in the carrier. The amount of sanding needed does not cut into any traces on the original REX/REX1. It does cut into the outside edge of the jtag holes, but even they are still functional. In this way, you could retroactively get a nice carrier for an old style REX. The sanding itself is simple to do by just laying sandpaper down on a cutting board or table, and running the pcb on the sandpaper.
You could fit an original REX into the chamfer version as well, which would generally be better, but the chamfer would cut in to the TP2 wire solder point. However, TP2 is only used if you are using the REX in a Model 200, AND want to do the hardware modification needed to use the REX's software controlled main system ROM management feature.
Max
The "max" version maximizes the available usable pcb real-estate on both the top and bottom surfaces.
Pin
The "pin" version uses a pin and a hole for polarity instead of a chamfer. There is no special advantage to this version over the "chamfer" or "bump" versions.
