Are PIL-Boxes still available?

[Sylvain Cote]

(06-20-2024 07:53 AM)PeterP Wrote:  Quick update - we have a working prototype as well as protoype box.

Nice!

(06-20-2024 07:53 AM)PeterP Wrote:  It is using USB-C, Pulse Transformers (those are the biggest parts, more expensive then the PIC!), etc.

Yep, I have bunch of those for when I have time to retrofit my PIL-Box and PIL-I/O units.

(06-20-2024 07:53 AM)PeterP Wrote:  We'll keep everyone updates as testing completes and production runs commence.

I will surely buy a couple of them.

How will be offered ?

• PCB only with part list ?
• As kit ?
• Assembled ?
  

[rprosperi]

Really nice update Peter, thanks for spearheading this effort and sharing updates.

I never expected the day would come when I retired my "old" Pil-Boxes for fresh young upstarts like this, but I can see the day is now getting close to reality.

I'm hoping assembled units will be available. I'm willing to murder an HP-IL cable, or send one off to it's death if needed in trade.

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(06-20-2024 07:53 AM)PeterP Wrote:  Quick update - we have a working prototype as well as protoype box. It is using USB-C, Pulse Transformers (those are the biggest parts, more expensive then the PIC!), etc.

smdPILBox In action

smdPILBox Integrated Housing 1

smdPILBox Integrated Housing 2

smdPILBox Integrated Housing 3

The new board is much smaller, will allow in-circuit programming in case of upgrades etc, and will be integrated into a box with HP-IL connectors.

As with everything, its a collaboration with Jeff, Karel, and myself.

Once the design has gone through a few more tests, we can make a production run and have it pre-assembled. Users would only have to glue in the HP-IL pins (I have stocked up on those as well) or murder a perfectly fine HP-IL cable.

We'll keep everyone updates as testing completes and production runs commence.

Kudos! I'm in.

[PeterP]

(06-20-2024 11:53 AM)Sylvain Cote Wrote:  How will be offered ?

• PCB only with part list ?
• As kit ?
• Assembled ?
  

Thank you all for the kind words, they go to Jeff, Karel at least as much.

The plan is to offer these as assembled units with the housing and integrated HP-Il Connector and pins. Which means some DIY for the HP-IL connectors will be required, or it can be replaced with HP-IL cables just as in the current design.

I'll be happy to make the PCB schematics etc opensource in continuation of Jeff's spirit, can't speak for Karel who designed the integrated housing.

Given that we plan on being able to order them pre-assembled, it will be easier to run production runs as the only manual task remaining will be the programming of the PIC which can be done in circuit with a pre-programmed PicIt5 ie needing virtually no set-up and then shipping.

[Karel]

Here are some newer iterations of the box.
Still in prototype stage. I will make final version when I have a board in my hand to be sure it fits.

I am certainly willing to make the box STLs open source.

[MeindertKuipers]

(06-20-2024 07:53 AM)PeterP Wrote:  Quick update - we have a working prototype as well as protoype box. It is using USB-C, Pulse Transformers (those are the biggest parts, more expensive then the PIC!), etc.

The new board is much smaller, will allow in-circuit programming in case of upgrades etc, and will be integrated into a box with HP-IL connectors.

As with everything, its a collaboration with Jeff, Karel, and myself.

Once the design has gone through a few more tests, we can make a production run and have it pre-assembled. Users would only have to glue in the HP-IL pins (I have stocked up on those as well) or murder a perfectly fine HP-IL cable.

We'll keep everyone updates as testing completes and production runs commence.

This is absolutely great stuff, count me in!

[Jurgen Keller]

Interesting to hear that people are working on a PIL-Box alternative. The PIL-Box is the most useful device I have for my HP calculators.

I guess there is no official name for the new device yet? It would make it easier to discuss about it.

And, if I understand correctly, from the software side everything will work the same as before, i.e., the new device provides a serial interface and we can continue to use, for example, PyILPER?

[PeterP]

I propose smdPIL-Box given the choice of components, size, etc.

Yes, software will be the same for now.

[Kenton]

(06-20-2024 07:53 AM)PeterP Wrote:  Quick update - we have a working prototype as well as protoype box. It is using USB-C, Pulse Transformers (those are the biggest parts, more expensive then the PIC!), etc.

smdPILBox In action

smdPILBox Integrated Housing 1

smdPILBox Integrated Housing 2

smdPILBox Integrated Housing 3

The new board is much smaller, will allow in-circuit programming in case of upgrades etc, and will be integrated into a box with HP-IL connectors.

As with everything, its a collaboration with Jeff, Karel, and myself.

Once the design has gone through a few more tests, we can make a production run and have it pre-assembled. Users would only have to glue in the HP-IL pins (I have stocked up on those as well) or murder a perfectly fine HP-IL cable.

We'll keep everyone updates as testing completes and production runs commence.

Great. How can I get one

[HP-Collection]

Great stuff indeed.
I personally prefer an elongated design instead of the transverse one. Perhaps this could also be done also. The box seems to be relatively high, so that the plugs could possibly be arranged one above the other. A bit unconventional, I admit it....

[Johnboy]

Great work guys !! I am definately interest in one or two of these when they become available. Will it also include the PILIO type capability ?

Thanks
John

[Craig Bladow]

I'm interested as well. Looking forward to the release!

[PeterP]

(06-26-2024 09:32 AM)Johnboy Wrote:  Great work guys !! I am definately interest in one or two of these when they become available. Will it also include the PILIO type capability ?

Thanks
John

John, thank you for the kind words. We will get the PIL Box functionality working first, followed by the PIL-IO Capability next, which should not be too difficult, but will have some other pins exposed / connected.

[Dave1947]

Great news, and nice work guys!

I definitely want one. Keep us informed.

[Luke64]

I add myself to the list of users interested in buying one

Thanks
Luciano

[Grumpy]

Great News. Looking forward to it.

Best regards
Claus

[PaoloReda]

Add also myself to the lift of future buyers.
Paolo

[in_denial]

I haven't said it explicitly for the PIL Box (new generation) but I would like to buy at least one, preferably two! Thank you to all the people working on them, past and present.

-- Tim

[omorgan]

I would also like to put my hand up for one once they become available. I just repaired the battery compartment of a HP-71B and am looking forward to getting it (and its peripherals) connected!
Wonderful work!

[gjcarter]

Please include me in the list of interested customers!