Model M SSK Case

Would you be interested in a injected SSK case?

5 - Yes, great Idea!
11
61%
4 - Yes, Interesting.
3
17%
3 - I'm not sure, maybe yes, maybe not.
3
17%
2 - No, It's not the project that would interest me.
1
6%
1 - No, it's a waste of time.
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 18

nfc

28 Dec 2020, 11:53

Hello Everyone,
have been a lot of time since I wrote something here. Have never been so active, but
Some weeks ago, meanwhile I was trying to give some order to some old folders on my PC, I found this old project, I was working on for several years in my free time: the CAD model of the legendary SSK case! The one Unicomp never wanted to produce :cry:

Some small/big errors that you have in front of your eyes are just invisible on the CAD program you're drawing with. But they are just so evident when you have the prototype in your hands. So I also 3D printing it, a couple of years ago. That helped me to correct the defects of the model.

The dream should be to replicate with injection molding this legendary case, permitting lovers to create their own SSK, with
-a "cutted" Model M 1391401 backplate;
-a brand new backplate built nowadays (model MF?);

Tooling and printing looks like to be very expensive, so a friend of mine suggested me to create a Kickstarter or an IndieGoGo, crowdfunding.

80's are gone, so I'm opening this thread to hear about your opinion, would you be interested in this case today?
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Last edited by nfc on 28 Dec 2020, 12:24, edited 1 time in total.

nfc

28 Dec 2020, 12:16

Some more pics...
In white... the original IBM case, In purple and In green some prototypes, 3D printed.

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User avatar
jsheradin

28 Dec 2020, 16:56

Awesome work! I wish I had these CAD files before I went and made my own fake SSK (still WIP, got sidetracked with a different project).
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I cut down one of the new Unicomp 104s to make mine since it's nice to have L/R GUI keys - just an option to consider.

User avatar
ddrfraser1

28 Dec 2020, 17:25

Great work both of you. jsheradin, it's cool to see one with a new/modern case style.

User avatar
E TwentyNine

28 Dec 2020, 17:48

Like them both but think you should ditch the insert for the IBM badge, and instead do something like what's in my avatar pic.

User avatar
sharktastica

28 Dec 2020, 17:55

E TwentyNine wrote:
28 Dec 2020, 17:48
Like them both but think you should ditch the insert for the IBM badge, and instead do something like what's in my avatar pic.
If possible, option for both. I imagine having the badge insert for those wanting to make an industrial SSK would be popular.

nfc

28 Dec 2020, 19:45

Noted down, thanks for the suggestion.
My original idea was do an exact replica of the original one, but all ideas are welcome.
I was thinging, even colors would be a funny option: black, industrial gray, brown, yellow... maybe even translucent.

By the way... what type of plastic did IBM used? ABS+PC?

User avatar
jsheradin

28 Dec 2020, 20:19

nfc wrote:
28 Dec 2020, 19:45
By the way... what type of plastic did IBM used? ABS+PC?
I don't have an SSK but all the 101s I've come across are PVC.

kmnov2017

28 Dec 2020, 20:23

Great job on the 3D printing!

But then again, Unicomp (eventually and hopefully in the next 3 years) will begin selling their minis. They will also have their cases sold as parts. Going by their current pricing for the model M cases, they are likely to be in the range of 20 to 30 USD.

Given this, I wonder if there will be enough demand for your Kickstarter project.

nfc

28 Dec 2020, 21:23

kmnov2017 wrote:
28 Dec 2020, 20:23
Great job on the 3D printing!

But then again, Unicomp (eventually and hopefully in the next 3 years) will begin selling their minis. They will also have their cases sold as parts. Going by their current pricing for the model M cases, they are likely to be in the range of 20 to 30 USD.

Given this, I wonder if there will be enough demand for your Kickstarter project.
I'm afraid Unicomp still sleeping. It's at least 6 years a lot of SSK estimators are waiting them to wakeup.

Kickstarter is a way to do not invest if there is no interest. I'm making this poll just to probe the general feeling.

A project like this will require for sure a certain amount of energies, that I will be happy to spend, but only if people are interested and without taking out money from my pockets :mrgreen:

arcticfox

29 Dec 2020, 00:59

Looks very cool!
Even if the injection molding project doesn't end up happening, it's still possible to print a small quantity of these at a 3d printing service. Many of them offer volume discounts starting at 5 pieces, like https://www.3dhubs.com/

CallmeJohn

02 Jan 2021, 16:52

I want one of these so badly.

User avatar
inmbolmie

02 Jan 2021, 22:19

Awesome 3D models! Hopefully there will be one day when you can get reasonable surface quality with 3D printing for projects like this.

The problem with any project that depends on injection moulding is always the same, when you realize the astronomical costs of the required tooling and moulds, then suddenly you discover that, after all, $300 for a vintage SSK is not that much...

And you will never be able to beat Unicomp in price or quality once their SSKs hits the road.

CallmeJohn

03 Jan 2021, 05:15

Maybe instead of manufacturing the part, they could just sell the 3d files so users can print it themselves or even spend the ludicrous amount and get a metal case cnc'd or something.

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jsheradin

03 Jan 2021, 06:10

CallmeJohn wrote:
03 Jan 2021, 05:15
spend the ludicrous amount and get a metal case cnc'd or something.
I was initially going to get my design milled from an aluminum billet on a 5 axis. Got a quote from Protolabs that was well over $3k! Suddenly PETG wasn't too bad after all.

User avatar
jsheradin

03 Jan 2021, 06:16

inmbolmie wrote:
02 Jan 2021, 22:19
Awesome 3D models! Hopefully there will be one day when you can get reasonable surface quality with 3D printing for projects like this.
You can pretty easily get mirror finish on an FDM printer if you are willing to do a lot of sanding/vapor polishing. Resin prints are even easier. Getting the original texture could probably be done with the right painting process.

To me, a project like this makes most sense as a small production run of 3d printed cases instead of injection molding. Protolabs offers bulk discounts on printing and I think they can do resin at this scale.

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