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Altair 8800 CPU Board Info

L

logjam

Jan 1, 1970
0
I thought I would share some PCB scans and x-rays. Someone might be
interested in them.

If you are, save them now. They might not be on the internet FOREVER!
;)

A hint, schematics in manuals rarely matched the kit boards you
purchased. In fact there was usually a cover page that listed changes
to make to the board (component additions, jumper wire rerouting, etc)

So board scans and x-rays ARE useful! ;) A really cool shot is the
last one. It is the back board scan processed and then overlaied on
top of the x-ray. Purple traces are on the top of the board, orange
are on the bottom.

I made these to duplicate the board. I will be tracing the artwork and
making gerber files.

One interesting thing, the SN74123N next to the crystal has a metal
backing on the die and the SN7406N and SN7404N right next to it does
not.

Front Scan:
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0_Front-Cropped-Rotated.jpg

Back Scan:
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0_Back-Flipped-Cropped-Rotated.jpg

X-Ray: (to scale)
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0-XRAY.jpg

Hybrid X-Ray/Back Scan: (this allopws you to see the traces on the
front and back at the same time without desoldering components)
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0-Composite.jpg

If you can do a better composite, go right ahead! and send me the
results and instructions! :)

Have fun!
 
D

David L. Jones

Jan 1, 1970
0
logjam said:
I thought I would share some PCB scans and x-rays. Someone might be
interested in them.

If you are, save them now. They might not be on the internet FOREVER!
;)

A hint, schematics in manuals rarely matched the kit boards you
purchased. In fact there was usually a cover page that listed changes
to make to the board (component additions, jumper wire rerouting, etc)

So board scans and x-rays ARE useful! ;) A really cool shot is the
last one. It is the back board scan processed and then overlaied on
top of the x-ray. Purple traces are on the top of the board, orange
are on the bottom.

I made these to duplicate the board. I will be tracing the artwork and
making gerber files.

One interesting thing, the SN74123N next to the crystal has a metal
backing on the die and the SN7406N and SN7404N right next to it does
not.

Front Scan:
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0_Front-Cropped-Rotated.jpg

Back Scan:
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0_Back-Flipped-Cropped-Rotated.jpg

X-Ray: (to scale)
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0-XRAY.jpg

Hybrid X-Ray/Back Scan: (this allopws you to see the traces on the
front and back at the same time without desoldering components)
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0-Composite.jpg

Now, THAT'S really cool!

Dave :)
 
A

Abstract Dissonance

Jan 1, 1970
0
logjam said:
I thought I would share some PCB scans and x-rays. Someone might be
interested in them.

If you are, save them now. They might not be on the internet FOREVER!
;)

A hint, schematics in manuals rarely matched the kit boards you
purchased. In fact there was usually a cover page that listed changes
to make to the board (component additions, jumper wire rerouting, etc)

So board scans and x-rays ARE useful! ;) A really cool shot is the
last one. It is the back board scan processed and then overlaied on
top of the x-ray. Purple traces are on the top of the board, orange
are on the bottom.

I made these to duplicate the board. I will be tracing the artwork and
making gerber files.

One interesting thing, the SN74123N next to the crystal has a metal
backing on the die and the SN7406N and SN7404N right next to it does
not.

Front Scan:
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0_Front-Cropped-Rotated.jpg

Back Scan:
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0_Back-Flipped-Cropped-Rotated.jpg

X-Ray: (to scale)
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0-XRAY.jpg

Hybrid X-Ray/Back Scan: (this allopws you to see the traces on the
front and back at the same time without desoldering components)
http://www.stockly.com/images2/060119-Altair_8800_CPU_BD_Rev0-Composite.jpg

If you can do a better composite, go right ahead! and send me the
results and instructions! :)

Have fun!

And how did you make the X-ray?

AD
 
L

logjam

Jan 1, 1970
0
I took the X-Ray using an EnvisionScan 18x18 digital detector. It has
an 80 micron pixel pitch. I will be taking more x-rays of the boards
and components. You guys interested in those shots too?

I'm taking these to copy the boards, without risking damage. The 8080
CPU on that card is considered rare. It still works too. I
disassembled a 4k DRAM card from 75 and the legs were cracking off of
all the memory ICs (it didn't work before either)

I was using the large focal spot on the x-ray tube with a source to
detector distance of 80" (to minimize any geometric distortion). The
shot was made at 80kv 8ma. I would have used the small focal spot, but
I really wanted to go home (less ma with the small spot, longer
exposure needed)
 
logjam said:
I took the X-Ray using an EnvisionScan 18x18 digital detector. It has
an 80 micron pixel pitch. I will be taking more x-rays of the boards
and components. You guys interested in those shots too?

I'm taking these to copy the boards, without risking damage. The 8080
CPU on that card is considered rare. It still works too. I
disassembled a 4k DRAM card from 75 and the legs were cracking off of
all the memory ICs (it didn't work before either)

I was using the large focal spot on the x-ray tube with a source to
detector distance of 80" (to minimize any geometric distortion). The
shot was made at 80kv 8ma. I would have used the small focal spot, but
I really wanted to go home (less ma with the small spot, longer
exposure needed)

Pretty determined I'd say. Are you planning on soldermask for your
dupes? Please tell me you will be using flux remover.

GG
 
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