gta02-core vs. new case design

[Dr. H. Nikolaus Schaller]

If we can't change the plastics I think we must use exactly the same  
components and positions so that everything fits nicely.
This brings me to a question if we already have a list of the part  
numbers, specifications of such components as the buttons, LEDs, SIM  
card holder, battery contacts, etc.
The only information I could find on a mailing list is about the LCD  
connector:

	http://www.mail-archive.com/hardware@lists.openmoko.org/msg00956.html

Nikolaus

Am 19.05.2009 um 22:10 schrieb joakim at verona.se:

> Werner Almesberger <werner at openmoko.org>
> writes:
>
>> Someone suggested on the gta02-core Wiki page that the case design  
>> was
>> still open. In fact, the idea is that gta02-core used exactly the  
>> same
>> board shape and placement of connectors as GTA02v7. I hope we can  
>> move
>> Bluetooth to the main PCB, but that's a change that wouldn't affect  
>> the
>> case.
>
> If moving the connectors and changing the case would be possible heres
> some simple observations of mine:
>
> - Having usb and power button on the side of the case makes it hard to
>  mount the device in car and bike holders. My android g1 were the  
> connector
>  comes out of the short edge of the phone is much easier in this
>  regard.
>
> -  since the battery has too low capacity for many usages, it would be
>   nice if the case could alternatively fit a larger battery. I have a
>   larger battery for my android g1 that replaces the original, with a
>   new snap on back plate.
>
> - if the design gets easier by removing the external gps connector,  
> that
>  might not be so bad. I have both a small usb gps receiver and a small
>  external gps antenna that fits the freerunner. They have the same
>  form-factor and price, so if you really need an external antenna  
> maybe
>  you could just as well get a external usb gps device.
>
> - i like the roundish freerunner case aestetically, but for trying to
>  build physically with the device, like fitting larger batteries to  
> it,
>  making it a part of another device, etc, it sucks. It would be much
>  easier with a simple rectangular case, like the buglabs one.
>
>
>
>> However, while designing a new case is out of scope for gta02-core,
>> that's not to say that ideas for a new case would not be worth  
>> pursuing
>> in general.
>>
>> If someone wants to give the GTA02 case a facelift, that could be  
>> used
>> as well with gta02-core boards. Possible changes that are compatible
>> with the GTA02 board include:
>>
>> - reduce empty spaces and redress some of the corners
>>
>> - reduce the thickness of the bezel
>>
>> - change the mounting of the board and reduce some of the perimeter
>>
>> - add spaces for extensions
>>
>> - use different materials
>>
>> - remove components (e.g., GPS external antenna) and adjust case
>>  accordingly
>>
>> - redesign components (e.g., GSM antenna) and adjust case accordingly
>>
>> Also, a "proof of concept" design prototype doesn't necessarily  
>> have to
>> be fully functional. E.g., if your design would need a different
>> battery, you can make a prototype with an external power supply. If  
>> the
>> big GPS antenna gets in the way but you know a smaller antenna one
>> could use, remove it in your prototype.
>>
>> And you don't have to worry about mass-production. Obviously, a good
>> design would be done such that it can be mass-produced (so shapes  
>> that
>> cannot be separated from the mold without destroying it wouldn't be  
>> so
>> good), but there are many alternatives to injection molding. You  
>> could
>> even just mill a case out of a block of aluminium (but don't forget  
>> to
>> leave some spaces for plastic inserts to let the RF out :-)
>>
>> - Werner
> -- 
> Joakim Verona
>
>
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