Erwin van Betten has succesfully reproduced the handlebar caps and the keyboard clips for the Commodore SX-64. Those handlebar caps are really sought after as they are relatively the most missing part on the first executive computer sporting a built-in colour screen. Also the keyboard clips tend to wear out over the years. It’s almost 30 years ago when the first SX-64 passed by the cash register.

Keeping this in mind, Erwin van Betten took the opportunity to fuse the old school computer together with today’s technology of reproducing your own parts made from thermo-plastic filament. After (re-)measuring and (re-)jamming for several hours on the FreeCAD application to create a 3D model as a blueprint for the actual reproduction of the parts the idea come to a product.

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The 3D files (.STL format) can be downloaded so you can 3D print the actual parts yourself. The .STL files can be opened using FreeCAD the parametric 3D modeler.

Please note the license details:

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.en_US.

These parts are designed with surgical precision to match as close the original parts and to provide a snug fit into and onto the casing. When the actual drawing are done it’s to time to process there files for the 3D printer. The software used for the actual printing is: Slic3r and Printrun/Pronterfac.

Amsterdam’s Hackspace “Technologia Incognita” a.k.a. TechInc provided the actual hardware to print the 3D models. The used hardware is a LulzBot TAZ 3D Printer equipped with a Budaschnozzle 2.0 w/ 0.35mm nozzle for a higher resolution.

Here is the printer plotting and dotting the PLA filament to the surface. As you can see the outline of the keyboard clip is already clearly visible. Preparation and patience are the key for a good result.

Showing the difference between the black original clip and the rendered shows that Erwin did an incredible job in the complete process.

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To make sure the quality is consistent Erwin decided to also to a batch of red clips and caps. I think that the red variant looks really amazingly good on the SX64 and the blue ones match the original colour scheme perfectly.

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A big applause for Erwin van Betten for arranging this all for giving the opportunity to create and repair our well beloved Commodore SX-64.

The items are not for sale (yet) however Erwin states regarding the design; “When I’m completely satisfied with them I will release the STL files and GCODE files (for a Lulzbot with PLA filament and 0.35mm nozzle) under the Creative Commons ( Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International ) license.”

So join your local hackspace so you can make use of their 3D printer of look for commercial 3D printing service.