MAXduino Build

I purchased a RETRO.care MAXduino kit to build up for used with my ZX Nuvo 128 to use with .txz files. I found it was well packaged and the provided instructions were good. It is a quick and easy build. The kit came with all the required parts to do the assembly. I found a case on Printables to fit it. I printed up the case in white, but did a blue print in place inlay on the buttons. This case was a bit bland, so after building and testing, I made a few minor changes to the case and reprinted it.

It was a quick and easy build. Put the capacitors in the right place as there are 2 values, put the LED in in the correct direction. That is about it. The microcontroller ic was already programmed with the latest firmware. I guess I started putting it together before taking the pictures.

It didn’t take much time at all to assemble with so few parts. To get the pcb in the 3d printed case, I had to shorten the Reset button a bit. It seems someone managed to wedge the button in, I guess by putting the button stem through the hole and flexing the other side of the case out enough to get the audio jacks to fit in. I preferred to shorten the reset button, as I don’t want it to stick out too far and accidentally press it anyways. It is basically flush with the outside of the case, but easy enough to press when I want to.

After that it was down to plugging in the remaining parts and putting it into the case.

I tested it out and it worked great. I was able to load .tap and .tzx files without any issues on my Nuvo 128.

The case was a bit boring. I decided to make it a bit more colorful and fit the style of my Nuvo 128 a bit more.

To make the print in place inlays. I created an inlay model for each of the 4 colors in Tinkercad, plus the primary case model with the hollows in it. I make a skirt like ring around each set of models that I export with every part. I choose my first color to print, then once it is finished, I set the printer to maintain the bed temp, and swap and purge the filament for the next color. I have it print with zhop on, and the inlays are either 1 or 2 layers in height. I remove any skirt, and purge line, then print the next color model. Then repeat that process for each color. Finally I print the main model over top. You can see the Green line was kicked loose a bit, but it was good enough that it wasn’t worth starting over.

I made two other minor changes to the case. I created an angled fill in around the USB Port to close the hole up a bit. I also found that the back plate set deeper into the back of the case than I liked, so I shortened the lip a bit so that the back was more flush. It was minor, but I like it better that way.

This device is similar to a Tapduino for the Commodore 64, but is not compatible with it. I purchased it for use with the ZX Nuvo 128 for .tzx files, as it can already use .tap files. I can use it with my Timex Sinclair 1000 though. I don’t know if I will get any of the other compatible computers in the future, but I don’t currently have plans to.