GCN Panasonic Q Serial Port 1

toxic9

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Hi friends,

Does anyone have a Panasonic Q laying around?
Mine is missing the serial port 1 cover. The one where you attach the broadband adapter.

It has a little difference from a regular Gamecube one.
So I would like to ask if anyone could provide pictures or even make a 3d model of it for me, please.

Also if anyone has a Q for parts, could you sell this port cover for me?

Many thanks
 
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FAST6191

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Don't have one but if it is similar to the mainline gamecube then, assuming one of those is somewhere online, can you not use the negative space of your Q to figure out the required alterations in size? As in measure the gap the thing is going into and if it is just tweak location of springing clamps and/or raise size*. I have not looked at a a picture of either at this point but that would be what I would do.

*if you are playing with a 3d printer, and don't fancy simply sticking the things on after the fact to save on print height/time, then maybe print more and bring it to size with sandpaper or needle files.

That said there could well be someone with a Q and a camera, maybe even a set of vernier and a micrometer, so hopefully you get one of those.
 
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FAST6191

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There are any number of 3d printer services that you send a file to and they send something back, or hacker spaces/maker spaces with that as a service, or people that rent out their own 3d printers, CNC machines and vacuum formers.
https://www.retroasia.com/products/panasonic-q-system-jp-us-modded-with-component-cable
https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/22/gamecube-from-every-angle
https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27664/nintendos-expansion-ports
and some ebay listings for replacements for the gamecube sourced me enough images that I reckon I could make a stab.
Thumbnails, click for larger.
panasonic_q_gamecube_side.jpg panasonic_q_gamecube_underside.jpg gamecube_underside.jpeg gamecube_serial_1_underside.jpeg gamecube_serial_1.jpeg panasonic_q_gamecube_underside_no_cover.jpg

Can't find a shot of the Q serial 1 cover from other angles in a casual search sadly but with the pictures there I don't anticipate any real problems as long as you consider the internal ribs inside the slot (just left of the finger holes for the spring clamps in the pictures) when it comes time to the box section if replicating the gamecube approach. The box and ribs are mostly there for stiffening and alignment anyway (a sensibly thick* bit of plastic would probably still flex without any ribs or might be able to be twisted out of the slot under the little kid treatment) so you might be able to get away with rather less than that
*you have a limit here as that shelf between the true outside which forms the resting point of the cover is rather thin. Make the base sheet too thick and it will stick out.

I would also note Nintendo's CAD files did leak as part of the gigaleaks. Don't know if this would have included the Q (which might be Panasonic's own setup, and if it was different because it was Panasonic responsible then who knows). Even if it does it might be more hassle than it is worth, but I don't know on that one.

I also note that https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/gamecube-serial-port-2-2pieces opts for separate spring clamps and the way they attach makes me think they are a weak point for them to have that much reinforcement/mitigation for internal forces.

If I were doing it and using a thermoplastic (rather than thermoset) I might print or form the side bit flat, and then heat it up after placing it on a suitably curved bit of wood or something so it takes the curved form rather than hoping my 3d printer can handle it. Pro tip in that case is make it longer than you need so you can file off a bit to have it fit nicely. If I am doing vacuum forming (can glue the internal box section and reinforcing ribs on later) then probably go for the curve ahead of time, though whether you will readily find a vacuum form setup capable of doing something as thick as you probably want for this I don't know.



As far as designing this in cad. The curved section might be tricky for some approaches but this would be a wonderful beginner project -- something you want to happen but nothing too terribly tricky (design the base bit of plastic and then in the CAD then on the relevant surface extrude any box section and reinforcing ribs at suitable locations for a suitable distance, assuming you don't make them separately and glue the box section and ribs into the simple sheet you cut and heat formed).
 
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toxic9

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Thanks for the pictures. I also searched all over the internet for a Serial port 1 of the Q. It doesn't exist anywhere =(
I hope any Q owner reads this and decides to help.

I think the Q port cover is a little bit longer and round on the left edge. The rest should be the same measures like a regular one because I can fit the broadband adapter on the same manner.
 
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Thanks for the pictures. I also searched all over the internet for a Serial port 1 of the Q. It doesn't exist anywhere =(
I hope any Q owner reads this and decides to help.

I think the Q port cover is a little bit longer and round on the left edge. The rest should be the same measures like a regular one because I can fit the broadband adapter on the same manner.

In that case it brings up the option of adapting an existing cover into a q version (should be possible sand things down into a slope and bond a curved bit on there before painting the lot). That or sticking a suitable size curved bit on there and then using that as the basis for a 3d print of the q variety.
That said I am not sure what goes for the finger/lever/screwdriver hole between the ports on the q which is not there in the baseline GC, though if it is a matter of removing material after the fact then that is not so bad.
 
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toxic9

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I thought about that. Using a standar one and mod it with only a little round edge 3D printed.
The problem is that I need anyone that could help me with that.
I dont have a 3D printer neither the software to design it.
 
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What is it with everybody running to 3d printers these days? If it is just a slight curve in an otherwise cuboid shape you have an example of (that being immediately before and after the thing) you can cut/trace an example curve with cardboard and bring a block of it to size on a grinding wheel/sanding block with maybe a trip to the bandsaw/hacksaw/scroll saw beforehand. The only reasons things are printed hollow is because plastic is actually quite expensive (especially when you are making a lot, or have to have expensive dies created to injection mould it), and the ridges and reinforcing lines are there to make it strong enough to do the job with minimal plastic.

That said there are plenty of hackerspaces/makerspaces that have such things.
Assuming your flag is accurate
https://wiki.hackerspaces.org/Sweden
http://www.makersofsweden.se/
One of them is bound to have such toys and be up for rental or even assistance in doing things. Bring the Q with you to show around (it is a rare bit of kit in Europe and not many will have seen one before) and I imagine that will help smooth things somewhat further.
Similarly there are plenty of universities with actual technical courses still being a thing, and probably libraries with such things too, that might rent time.

If you just want a simple curve then the CAD is easy enough.
If you ever did any technical drawing then most are that as the basis for it. You draw a 2d shape and then extrude/revolve it to be the one you want. Some are even more intuitive than that.
 
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