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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Ordering a new Colour Maximite 2 from a PCB Manufacturer
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PeteCotton Guru  Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
Total hardware newbie question here, so please forgive my ignorance - but I've never ordered a PCB before. I've been spreading the gospel about the Colour Maximite 2 to some of my friends, but alas we have no suppliers left in Canada. So, I thought I'd better explore the option of getting some made myself. After reading Peter's post on the design files (link below), I downloaded them (I got the newer set from his 10th July comment) and uploaded them (both the Gerber and Pick and Place files) to JLCPCB.com They quoted my $160 Canadian dollars for 5 populated boards (plus $50 shipping).  Is that all there is to it? Is there anything else I should be doing/looking for? Like I say, please forgive me if this is a stupid question - but I'm a total newbie to this. But if I can get CMM2's for about $40 each, I know what I'm giving everyone for Christmas! Peter's original thread about the files. https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?TID=16855&P=2 |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9305 |
Yes, that's pretty much all there is too it.  So long as those two items(the PCB and the SMD assembly) are in your cart, you then just choose your address, choose your shipping method, pay the grand total, and wait for the box to arrive.  JLC make it pretty painless to do, and once you have done the order ONCE, you can - if you want - reorder them again at the click of a REORDER button. You don't need to re-upload the gerbers or the BOM/CPL, JLC will reuse those files from your original order. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| PeteCotton Guru Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
Thanks! It felt like it was too good to be true! But that's great news  |
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| PhenixRising Guru Joined: 07/11/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 856 |
Not a big deal but I was wondering if one has the option to exclude a component? In my case, I'd probably want to consider one of those super-long-life batteries as used in PLC controllers. I'd solder wires to the battery-holder holes. Also, is it possible to specify a colour? Green is a bit 20th century, IMO  |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6768 |
I've never ordered from someone else's BOM, but I think all you need to do to exclude something is to simply delete it from the BOM prior to ordering. When ordering from JLCPCB you can specify all sorts of things, including colour. Black, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green or Purple IIRC. White has black screen printing. All the rest have white. Any other colour of board apart from green adds 2 days to the manufacturing time. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| PeteCotton Guru Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
A quick update. The 5 boards arrived (a day earlier than expected). I grabbed the first one off the pile, blew the firmware into it, and..... it worked. That was so painless. Final cost was $325.91 (Canadian dollars) including shipping and taxes for five brand new CMM2 computers. A small point, the JLC website does allow me to select CAD$ for the price, but it never remembers it and reverts back to USD$. Not a big issue, but I was a bit confused by the price until I realised this. But that still works out at just $65 (Canadian each). ($47 USD, 43 Euro, 36 quid). Of course, you need to buy a power supply, SD card and CR2032 battery (I have all of those lying around - as I'm sure most people do) - but this is bloody brilliant. One of the reasons I had stopped developing for the CMM2 was that the supply had dried up. I'm glad to say that problem is well and truly solved.  |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9100 |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6768 |
Excellent stuff! Pretty little beasts aren't they? :) Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| PeteCotton Guru Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
Sorry, I missed this question. Yes - after you upload the Bill Of Materials, the website displays a list of all of the components with a tick box next to it. It looks like you can just uncheck/untick the box and it will be excluded. Very much so. I was tempted to go for a different PCB colour, but didn't want the delay. |
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| okwatts Regular Member  Joined: 27/09/2022 Location: CanadaPosts: 59 |
You mentioned you might gift the extra ones, so I don't mean to be presume on you Pete, but if you have one that is not allocated I would like to have the opportunity to get a CMM2 as I am in Canada also. Let me know if that's a possibility and price with shipping or whether I am out of line. Thanks. |
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| PeteCotton Guru Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
You're not at all out of line. Unfortunately, I have already got people in mind for the other 4 machines (I'm keeping one myself). But I am trying to spread the CMM2 word, so if this batch is well received (which I think it will be), then I might put in a second order. If I do, I'll let you know. Where abouts in Canada are you? If you could get a group local to you, then it's very easy to order yourself (and cut out any shipping from me). |
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Martin H. Guru Joined: 04/06/2022 Location: GermanyPosts: 1113 |
43 Euro, I can just about fill the tank of my car half full with it. If you place another bulk order, please let me know Edited 2024-09-19 16:55 by Martin H. 'no comment |
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| lizby Guru Joined: 17/05/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 3150 |
I would join you in a group purchase if 3 other Canadian takers can be found. (I am time-constrained, though--I make my snowbird flight south in about 8 weeks.) PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on fruitoftheshed |
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Plasmamac Guru Joined: 31/01/2019 Location: GermanyPosts: 554 |
i need one also @ Martin.H maybe a new sammelbestellung (bulk order) for the german guys ? Edited 2024-09-20 04:25 by Plasmamac Plasma |
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| Pluto Guru Joined: 09/06/2017 Location: FinlandPosts: 357 |
I would also be interested in one, if someone orders. Postage from Germany to Finland can not be too much. Pluto |
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| PeteCotton Guru Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
I love to see all of this enthusiasm for the CMM2. But a chunk of the cost of the boards is actually the shipping. I feel that there might be a very easy solution for all of us (that will also help increase the base of users for the CMM2). My thoughts on this are that the price of a single Commander X16 is $350 (USD) which is one and a half times as much as a batch of five CMM2's. And the X16 is in no way as capable as the CMM2*. *That's not meant as a slight on the X16 - I think it's a very interesting project and does serve a slightly different niche in our hobby than the CMM2. https://texelec.com/product/cx16-preorder/ An original Amiga is about $1,000, an original Amstrad CPC6128 is $700, even that new Commodore 64 (the Maxi-64) is $400. I get that that a batch of CMM2s is still a lot of money, however I think we do need to keep some perspective here. I have had my Gen 1 for years - and hands down it is my very favourite piece of kit that I own (and I own a lot of toys/kit). It brings me huge joy every time I play with it. Being able to code things in BASIC that would have been unimaginable (even in assembler) on the 80's micros is very cool. So, I was very happy to pay for the batch of five just so I could get my hand on one (Gen 2) CMM2. But as it happens, once you start telling other people about this modern-retro microcomputer it generates a lot of interest. Many people have fond memories of programming BASIC games on BBC Micros and Commodore 64's, and the prospect of being able to finally write the games of their childhood dreams on a small stand alone computer is genuinely exciting. The CMM2 doesn't have any of the risks of buying original 80's microcomputers (blown capacitors, faulty power supplies etc.), or the headaches of using modern operating systems (drivers, including libraries or waiting on resources). It works like they remember - except with 1,000 times the memory and 6,000 times the speed. So that epic Lord of the Rings adventure game they wanted to write is finally within reach. I'm pretty sure that if any of you posted a comment on your local Facebook or Marketplace page, that you would easily get four other people interested in chipping in. That way you save on the shipping and also get to know some local enthusiasts. I've always maintained that the biggest problem with the CMM2 is the lack of exposure. When you show one to anybody above the age of 40 there's an instant rush of nostalgia and interest - followed by questions about how they can get one of their own. That's why the other four of mine are already spoken for. I felt the process for getting my CMM2s was very easy (and I know very little about electronics), but if you want, I will happily make a video of the exact steps that I took in ordering the PCBs and flashing the rom. |
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Rickard5 Guru Joined: 31/03/2022 Location: United StatesPosts: 463 |
Martin I'm in Texas I can Fill my Tank in my car for 35.83 Euros or $40 USD, A LOT Less in 46 Days ;) I may be Vulgar, but , while I'm poor, I'm Industrious, Honest, and trustworthy! I Know my Place |
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| PeteCotton Guru Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
Final update. I'm happy to say that all five boards worked flawlessly. For anyone else doing this I did also order some tiny little extras (that only added a couple of loonies* to the price of each). *Loonie=Canadian dollar Jumpers to put on the the run/program pins. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07FKFQQC9?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title RTC batteries 2032 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0002RID4G?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 Temporary standoffs (until I get cases sorted) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D79HNBSC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 Thanks to Peter and Geoff for making this so easy! |
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vegipete Guru Joined: 29/01/2013 Location: CanadaPosts: 1109 |
Hey fellow Canadians, I'm thinking about ordering 20 of these. Any interest? No, I don't need 19 takers, even just a few for now is fine. Shipping in Canada shouldn't be too much. I might also include laser cut end plates, if I can find some thin acrylic. Price _might_ be around $25 each, plus shipping and taxes. Visit Vegipete's *Mite Library for cool programs. |
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| lizby Guru Joined: 17/05/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 3150 |
Pete--I would like to get 2, for shipping to Nova Scotia. PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on fruitoftheshed |
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