Making PC Engine HuCards

Main > Project Announcements

<< < (4/12) > >>

pbj:
The blue HuCard PCBs are so much more visually pleasing but they continue to vex me. Things shifted further out of alignment overnight and it’s almost impossible to get Neutopia 2 to boot now. I was resorting to whittling down the unevenness in edges with a sharp knife. Remember blowing on cartridges and wedging them in at funny angles? It’s exactly like that.

So I spent more time on the square edge pcbs. They have unnecessary jumpers that have to be populated, but that rectangular shape means alignment is perfect.

Anyway, today’s haul.

pdco_arcade:
Here are the HuCARD PCB's with square corners. Didn't add traces to the 'blank' PCB but did add text in the copper on both sides. Should be covered by the soldermask. See the png's. Think that will work?

pdco_arcade:
Forgot to ask - think adding small alignment holes ( 2 or 4 ? ) in both PCB would help keep them in alignment while they are being sandwiched? If so where? Am thinking some sort of base with vertical posts. Drop bottom PCB onto the posts, slather with whatever adhesive ( keep away from the posts ) and add the top PCB onto the posts. Clamp & hold as needed. I assume the only interface to the game console are the fingers at the end?

eds1275:
This is really cool. Took me a min to register what the PC Engine was (TG16 where I live.) Radioshack used to have a kiosk with one, they'd put it right outside the door in the mall, and I would rotate it so they couldn't see me playing Bonk for hours on end.

pbj:

--- Quote from: pdco_arcade on December 06, 2023, 08:39:14 pm ---Forgot to ask - think adding small alignment holes ( 2 or 4 ? ) in both PCB would help keep them in alignment while they are being sandwiched? If so where? Am thinking some sort of base with vertical posts. Drop bottom PCB onto the posts, slather with whatever adhesive ( keep away from the posts ) and add the top PCB onto the posts. Clamp & hold as needed. I assume the only interface to the game console are the fingers at the end?

--- End quote ---

Oh man, that's a great idea. A small hole on the left and right edge would do it. Or another thought is a spot that would eventually be covered by a label. Yeah, only the fingerboard interacts with the console.

On your square PCBs, does the top PCB still have rounded edges? Kinda looks like it does from the png.

Navigation

 Message Index

Go to full version