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PDP-11/35/40/45/50/55/70 family Front Panel Bezel

pbirkel@gmail.com

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Apr 7, 2013
Messages
1,190
Location
Silver Spring, MD, USA
I have an PDP-11/35/40/45/50/55/70 family front panel that is bezel-less, a shortfall that I'd like to remediate :-}. To get a bit of a feel for the cost these days to 3d print one I tried costing "6u-mm.stl" and "6u-mmkit.stl" (sliced into halves that need to be fastened together), which are the design files for a 6U panel surround from https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/cad/3d.php

Using JLCPCB and SLA 9000R Resin (the cheapest choice offered) the costs-to-print were, respectively, $31.78 and $8.45. https://3d.jlcpcb.com/help/article/195-9000R---Photosensitive-Resin (doesn't everyone like the sound of "excellent yellowing resistance :-}?)

A bezel is more massive than a panel surround, but a small multiple of $8.45 is still pretty affordable (at least prior to shipping).

Has anyone modeled the PDP-11/35/40/45/50/55/70 family front panel bezel at full scale? The only modeling that I know of is the scaled-down PiDP-11 case. I don't believe that Oscar has released the design files, but perhaps he could be prevailed upon to do so as a starting point to "go big".

Fortunately I have a full-size bezel to serve as a dimensional model. My working alternative is shaped hardwood, a material with which I have some familiarity, basic hand tools, and a working familiarity with sweat-equity.
 
I have an PDP-11/35/40/45/50/55/70 family front panel that is bezel-less, a shortfall that I'd like to remediate :-}. To get a bit of a feel for the cost these days to 3d print one I tried costing "6u-mm.stl" and "6u-mmkit.stl" (sliced into halves that need to be fastened together), which are the design files for a 6U panel surround from https://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/cad/3d.php

Using JLCPCB and SLA 9000R Resin (the cheapest choice offered) the costs-to-print were, respectively, $31.78 and $8.45. https://3d.jlcpcb.com/help/article/195-9000R---Photosensitive-Resin (doesn't everyone like the sound of "excellent yellowing resistance :-}?)

A bezel is more massive than a panel surround, but a small multiple of $8.45 is still pretty affordable (at least prior to shipping).

Has anyone modeled the PDP-11/35/40/45/50/55/70 family front panel bezel at full scale? The only modeling that I know of is the scaled-down PiDP-11 case. I don't believe that Oscar has released the design files, but perhaps he could be prevailed upon to do so as a starting point to "go big".

Fortunately I have a full-size bezel to serve as a dimensional model. My working alternative is shaped hardwood, a material with which I have some familiarity, basic hand tools, and a working familiarity with sweat-equity.
Hi, I have a similar plan to get a fullsize bezel some day ...
No urgency on my side, lots of other projects

Here is the STL file from the PiDP-11 - should be ok for an easier start
I could imagine to print it in pieces and than glue it together, apply a filler coat and paint it
Quite a few model builders do this with boat or plane bodies
 

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  • 1170 Panel 3D .zip
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